SOLUTION: How do I solve (-x)^3 y^3/x^3y^6 I wasn't sure what to do with the -x. Do I just leave it?

Algebra ->  Exponents -> SOLUTION: How do I solve (-x)^3 y^3/x^3y^6 I wasn't sure what to do with the -x. Do I just leave it?      Log On


   

Question 888730: How do I solve (-x)^3 y^3/x^3y^6
I wasn't sure what to do with the -x. Do I just leave it?
Found 2 solutions by richwmiller, Edwin McCravy:
Answer by richwmiller(17219) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Equations are solved. Equations equate. Equations have equal signs.
Do you see an equal sign?

Answer by Edwin McCravy(20059) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Oh, he's being a butt. We use the word "solve" only for equations
and inequalities.   When there is no equal sign "=", or "<", ">",
"<", or ">", we say "Simplify", not "Solve".

It's SIMPLIFY an EXPRESSION and SOLVE an EQUALITY or INEQUALITY.

Anyway it's clear that you wanted to SIMPLIFY the expression:

%28%28-x%29%5E3y%5E3%29%2F%28x%5E3y%5E6%29

Notice that %28-x%29%5E3%22%22=%22%22%28-x%29%28-x%29%28-x%29%22%22=%22%22-x%5E3,
because a negative times a negative times a negative is a negative.

%28-x%5E3y%5E3%29%2F%28x%5E3y%5E6%29%22%22=%22%22

-%28x%5E3y%5E3%29%2F%28x%5E3y%5E6%29%22%22=%22%22

-%28cross%28x%5E3%29y%5E3%29%2F%28cross%28x%5E3%29y%5E6%29

Subtract the exponents of the y's, larger minus smaller, and put
the result y%5E3 on the bottom because the larger power y%5E6
was on the bottom. You have to show the 1 understood in the numerator,
so we have:

-1%2Fy%5E3

Edwin