document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=202225>Question 202225</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> (24 a^7)/(8 a^4)-(48 a^9)/(2 a^6)  </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #152627 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=jsmallt9><B>jsmallt9(3758)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=jsmallt9><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=152627\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=%2824+a%5E7%29%2F%288+a%5E4%29+-+%2848+a%5E9%29%2F%282+a%5E6%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"%2824+a%5E7%29%2F%288+a%5E4%29+-+%2848+a%5E9%29%2F%282+a%5E6%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "As is the case with any problem involving fractions (with or without variables), it is a good idea to see if a) the fractions will reduce; and b) the reduced fractions make the problem easier.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Reducing <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=%2824+a%5E7%29%2F%288+a%5E4%29+-+%2848+a%5E9%29%2F%282+a%5E6%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"%2824+a%5E7%29%2F%288+a%5E4%29+-+%2848+a%5E9%29%2F%282+a%5E6%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > we get:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=%2824%2F8%29%2A%28%28a%5E7%29%2F%28a%5E4%29%29+-+%2848%2F2%29%2A%28%28a%5E9%29%2F%28a%5E6%29%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "which, using the rule for exponents: <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=%28a%5Ex%29%2F%28a%5Ey%29+=+a%5E%28x-y%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"%28a%5Ex%29%2F%28a%5Ey%29+=+a%5E%28x-y%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >, simplifies to:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=3a%5E3+-+24a%5E3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3a%5E3+-+24a%5E3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Not only have the fractions disappeared, the remaining expression is very simple to simplify further:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-21a%5E3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-21a%5E3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > </SPAN>\n" );
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