SOLUTION: We just started working on polynomials in my algebra class and I got the problem: The area of a rectangle is {{{24x^5y^3}}} and they gave the the height which is {{{8x^2y^2}}} a

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: We just started working on polynomials in my algebra class and I got the problem: The area of a rectangle is {{{24x^5y^3}}} and they gave the the height which is {{{8x^2y^2}}} a      Log On


   

Question 579792: We just started working on polynomials in my algebra class and I got the problem:
The area of a rectangle is 24x%5E5y%5E3 and they gave the the height which is 8x%5E2y%5E2 and I honestly have no idea how to solve this question.
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
They are saying that
( area ) = ( length ) x ( height )
given:
Area = +24x%5E5%2Ay%5E3+
Height = +8x%5E2%2Ay%5E2+
Let +L+ = length
-----------
+24x%5E5%2Ay%5E3+=+L%2A8x%5E2%2Ay%5E2+
If you divide both sides of an equation by the same
thing, then the equation is still true, that is the
left side still equals the right side.
That means I can divide both sides by +8x%5E2%2Ay%5E2+

On the right side, everything cancels except +L+, so
now I can say:
+%28+24x%5E5%2Ay%5E3+%29+%2F+%28+8x%5E2%2Ay%5E2+%29+=+L+
Now I just have to do the division on the left side
This is a division of products. I can express it as
products of divisions to simplify it.
+%28+24%2F8+%29%2A%28+x%5E5%2Fx%5E2+%29%2A%28+y%5E3%2Fy%5E2+%29+=+L+
Now you just have to know how to handle exponents
I'll rewrite everything in long form

Now do the cancellations:
+3%2A%28+x%2Ax%2Ax+%29%2Ay++=+L+
Finally, I put L on the left and say +x%2Ax%2Ax+=+x%5E3+
+L+=+3x%5E3%2Ay+
Hope this helps