Question

Divide 21x^6-6x^4 / 3x^3
simplify your answer as much as possible

Answer 1

@sleepyhead314

Answer 2

try factoring the top first :)

Answer 3

do I multiply 21(6) or subtract and what do I do with the exponents?

Answer 4

hehe
just move the Greatest Common Factor out to the front

for example if I had 24y^7 - 16y^5
it would become 8y^5 (3y^2 - 2)

can you try that with your problem? :)

Answer 5

hint: the GCF is 3x^4

Answer 6

3x^4(2x^2)?

Answer 7

mmm close!

3x^4 (7x^2 - 2)
do you kinda get where I got that or would you like for me to break it down for you more? :)

Answer 8

can you break it down more?

Answer 9

ok!

we have 21x^6 - 6x^4 on top

21x^6 is basically the multiplied version of (3x^4)*(7x^2)
and
6x^4 is the multiplied version of (3x^4)*(2)

do you follow? :)

Answer 10

yes

Answer 11

then like how ab - ac = a (b - c)

21x^6 - 6x^4

= (3x^4)*(7x^2) - (3x^4)*(2)

= (3x^4) (7x^2 - 2)

Answer 12

ok so the top is (3x^4)(7x^2-2) ?

Answer 13

yep! :)

Answer 14

now, what would you get if it was just
3x^4 / 3x^3 ?

Answer 15

1x^7

Answer 16

try again ^_^
when it is dividing, the exponents Subtract :)

Answer 17

1x?

Answer 18

yep!!!

hehehe so you can now get x(7x^4 - 2) :P

Answer 19

oh wait, I meant x(7x^2 - 2)

Answer 20

is that the answer? im sorry lol

Answer 21

all you have to do is distribute ^_^

Answer 22

you don't have to apologize ;) I was explaining it a little weird xD

Answer 23

so 7x^3-2x?

Answer 24

yep, that would be your answer :D