SOLUTION: I am confused how to solve (-12z^4y^2)/ (-2z^10y^3) I set it up like you would long division but it does not look right to me. Also do decending powers of z and y apply here? ( do

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: I am confused how to solve (-12z^4y^2)/ (-2z^10y^3) I set it up like you would long division but it does not look right to me. Also do decending powers of z and y apply here? ( do      Log On


   

Question 58295: I am confused how to solve (-12z^4y^2)/ (-2z^10y^3)
I set it up like you would long division but it does not look right to me. Also do decending powers of z and y apply here? ( do I have to add 0z^9, Oz^8 etc. in order to solve this problem?)
My teacher makes these questions up so there is no book reference. This is for our chapter review. Thank you in advance for showing me how to go about tackling this problem.
Answer by Edwin McCravy(20060) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

I am confused how to solve (-12z^4y^2)/ (-2z^10y^3)
I set it up like you would long division but it does not look right to me.
Also do decending powers of z and y apply here? ( do I have to add 0z^9,
Oz^8 etc. in order to solve this problem?)
My teacher makes these questions up so there is no book reference. This is 
for our chapter review. Thank you in advance for showing me how to go about
tackling this problem.

No we don't use long division when there is only one term to divide by.

 -12z4y2
--------- 
 -2z10y3

The GCF of the numerator and denominator is -2z4y2. So
factor it out of the top and the bottom:

  -2z4y2(6)
-------------
 -2z4y2(z6y)

Now cancel the LCD's

     1
  -2z4y2(6)
-------------
 -2z4y2(z6y)
    1
  
  6
-----
 z6y

Edwin