Simplifying Expressions Into Different Forms :(

**jemadd2** · January 21st 2009, 02:44 PM

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 $x^4y^4-x^6/(xy)(xy)$

**Danny** · January 21st 2009, 02:50 PM

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.

**jemadd2** · January 21st 2009, 03:00 PM

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

**Danny** · January 21st 2009, 03:12 PM

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 $(xy)^n = x^n y^n$

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