SOLUTION: 16x^2y^7 ------- 40x^4y^10

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Question 280448: 16x^2y^7
-------
40x^4y^10

Answer by jsmallt9(3758) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
(In the future, please post fractions in the form:
(numerator)/(denominator)
For example this problem would be:
(16x^2y^7)/(40x^4y^10)
Posting fractions as you did makes it difficult to understand. And tutors will be more willing to respond to problems which are clearly stated.)

%2816x%5E2y%5E7%29%2F%2840x%5E4y%5E10%29
Simplifying a fraction involves canceling factors that the numerator an denominator have in common. I'll rewrite the numerator and denominator so you can see the common factors more clearly:

Now we can cancel:

which leaves:
%282%29%2F%285x%5E2y%5E3%29

(Once you get practice with these you will not have to factor so extensively to see what will cancel.)