Reduce fraction to lowest terms

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January 22nd 2009, 10:53 PM
bryang

Reduce fraction to lowest terms

This problem confuses me:
1. $\frac{32c^3d^3}{64c^2d}$

I know how to reduce these two:
4. $\frac{2x+6}{3ax+9a}=\frac{2(x+3)}{3a(x+3)}=\frac{2 }{3a}$

9. $\frac{y^2+2y-15}{2y^2-12y+18}=\frac{(y-3)(y+5)}{(y-3)(2y-6)}=\frac{y+5}{2y-6}$

but how can I do that process when there is only one term in the numerator and denominator, like number 1??
January 22nd 2009, 11:01 PM
hmmmm

take out a common factor of 32c^2.d and then cancel those terms.
January 22nd 2009, 11:02 PM
Jhevon

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryang

I know how to reduce these two:
4. $\frac{2x+6}{3ax+9a}=\frac{2(x+3)}{3a(x+3)}=\frac{2 }{3a}$

9. $\frac{y^2+2y-15}{2y^2-12y+18}=\frac{(y-3)(y+5)}{(y-3)(2y-6)}=\frac{y+5}{2y-6}$

but how can I do that process when there is only one term in the numerator and denominator, like number 1??

interesting. it's like you learned how to run before you can crawl...

Quote:

This problem confuses me:
1. $\frac{32c^3d^3}{64c^2d}$

think of it this way: $\frac {32c^3d^3}{64c^2d} = \frac {32}{64} \cdot \frac {c^3}{c^2} \cdot \frac {d^3}{d}$

now recall the rule: $\frac {x^a}{x^b} = x^{a - b}$

can you finish?

...you may prefer hmmmm's suggestion, since it is similar to the way you did the others
January 22nd 2009, 11:16 PM
bryang

Aha.. the answer is:

$ \frac{cd^2}{2} $

Thanks hmmmm and Jhevon, it makes sense now. (Clapping)
January 23rd 2009, 12:11 AM
Jhevon

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryang

Aha.. the answer is:

$ \frac{cd^2}{2} $

Thanks hmmmm and Jhevon, it makes sense now. (Clapping)

(Clapping) Good, and you're welcome (Sun)