# ACT Math : How to divide exponents

## Example Questions

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### Example Question #1 : How To Divide Exponents

Simplify

None of the answers are correct

Explanation:

When working with polynomials, dividing is the same as multiplying by the reciprocal.  After multiplying, simplify.  The correct answer for division is

and the correct answer for multiplication is

### Example Question #2 : How To Divide Exponents

Simplify:

Explanation:

To simply exponents in a fraction, subtract the exponent for each variable in the denominator from the exponent in the numerator. This will leave you with

or

### Example Question #3 : How To Divide Exponents

What is the value of m where:

4

6

1

2

-2

2

Explanation:

If n=4, then 64(4/12)=64(1/3)=4.  Then, 4=m4(1+m)/(m+4). If 2 is substituted for m, then 4=24(1+2)/(2+4)=241/2=2√4=22=4.

### Example Question #4 : How To Divide Exponents

Simplify the following:

Cannot be done

x7/3

1/x4

x4

x4

Explanation:

These exponents have the same base, x, so they can be divided. To divide them, you take the exponent value in the numerator (the top exponent) and subtract the exponent value of the denominator (the bottom exponent). Here that means we take 7 – 3 so our answer is x4.

### Example Question #5 : How To Divide Exponents

Simplify:

Explanation:

Use rule for multiplying exponents to simplify the numerator.

Use rule for dividing exponents to simplify.

### Example Question #6 : How To Divide Exponents

Simplify:

Explanation:

Simplify:

Step 1: Simplify the fraction. When dividing exponents subtract the exponents on the bottom from the exponents on the top.

Step 2: Distribute the exponent. When raising an exponent to a power, multiply them together.

### Example Question #1 : Exponential Operations

Simplify

None

Explanation:

Divide the coefficients and subtract the exponents.

### Example Question #1 : How To Divide Exponents

Which of the following is equal to the expression , where

xyz ≠ 0?

z/(xy)

1/y

z

xyz

xy

1/y

Explanation:

(xy)4 can be rewritten as x4y4 and z0 = 1 because a number to the zero power equals 1.  After simplifying, you get 1/y.

### Example Question #3 : Exponential Operations

If , then

Cannot be determined

Explanation:

Start by simplifying the numerator and denominator separately. In the numerator, (c3)2 is equal to c6. In the denominator, c2 * c4 equals c6 as well. Dividing the numerator by the denominator, c6/c6, gives an answer of 1, because the numerator and the denominator are the equivalent.

### Example Question #4 : Exponential Operations

If , which of the following is equal to ?

a18

The answer cannot be determined from the above information

a4

a6

a

a18

Explanation:

The numerator is simplified to  (by adding the exponents), then cube the result. a24/a6 can then be simplified to .

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