Question

Reduce the fraction to lowest terms.
38 x^2yz^2/-19 xy^2z^3

Answer 1

take it one variable at a time and apply the exponent rule

in general: (a^m)/(a^n) = a^(m-n)

can you try to apply this logic to (x^2)/x = ?

Answer 2

remember that, if no exponent is stated, the exponent is assumed to be 1

Answer 3

applying the logic from earlier, subtract the exponents

so x^2 / x = x since 2 - 1 = 1

Answer 4

can you try to use this same logic to simplify

y / y^2 = ?

Answer 5

So, y / y^2 = y?

Answer 6

1 - 2 = -1 not 1

so y/y^2 = y^(-1)

Answer 7

order is important

Answer 8

Oh

Answer 9

z^2/z^3 = ?

remember, it's top exponent minus bottom exponent

Answer 10

So that will be z?

Answer 11

Wait no -z?

Answer 12

order is important

2 - 3 is -1

so z^(-1)

Answer 13

Oh

Answer 14

now all that's left is 38/-19 which is just -2

putting everything together:

2xy^(-1) * z^(-1)

if you have variables negative exponents, move them to the denominator

therefore -2x/(y*z) = your solution

Answer 15

Oh, ok! Thx