Simplifying Expressions Into Different Forms :(

• January 21st 2009, 02:44 PM
Simplifying Expressions Into Different Forms :(
Okay so I have this problem that says:
If we simplify the expression $x^4y^4-x^6/(xy)^2$ to the form $x^Py^Q-x^Ry^S$ what are the terms P,Q,R, and S?

im struggling on how to get started to figure it out. my first idea was to make the expression $x^4y^4-x^6/(xy)(xy)$
• January 21st 2009, 02:50 PM
Jester
Quote:

Originally Posted by jemadd2
Okay so I have this problem that says:
If we simplify the expression $x^4y^4-x^6/(xy)^2$ to the form $x^Py^Q-x^Ry^S$ what are the terms P,Q,R, and S?

im struggling on how to get started to figure it out. my first idea was to make the expression $x^4y^4-x^6/(xy)(xy)$

Re-write your second term as

$x^6 x^{-2}y^{-2}$

and use the law of exponents.
• January 21st 2009, 03:00 PM
Quote:

Originally Posted by danny arrigo
Re-write your second term as

$x^6 x^{-2}y^{-2}$

and use the law of exponents.

so $x^4y^4-x^6/(xy)^2$turns into $x^6x^-2y^-2$? how does that work? sorry, im confused :(
• January 21st 2009, 03:12 PM
Jester
Quote:

Originally Posted by jemadd2
so $x^4y^4-x^6/(xy)^2$turns into $x^6x^-2y^-2$? how does that work? sorry, im confused :(

Yes, in general

$\frac{1}{x^n} = x^{-n}$ and $(xy)^n = x^n y^n$