Lesson 7-2 Dividing Monomials

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Lesson 7-2Dividing Monomials

• p. 408

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Some Specific Examples

• Consider
• Also
• Can you think of a general rule?

3
Quotient of Powers

• To divide two powers that have the same base,
  subtract the exponents
• For all integers m and n and any nonzero number
  a,
• Ex. Simplify , where
• Combine like bases
• Subtract exponents
• Simplify

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Fractions

• Consider
• Will this always happen?

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Example

• Simplify
• 1. Rewrite the expression so that
  each number or variable has the
  exponent
• 2. Simplify

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Problems to Try

• Simplify, Assume all denominators are not zero.
• 1. 2.

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The zero exponent

• Find
• Can equal two different things?
• So,
• Any nonzero number raised to the zero power is 1.
  
• For any number a,

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Examples

• 1.
• 2.

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Negative Exponents

• Find
• Can equal two different things?
• So,
• For any nonzero number a and any integer n,
  is the reciprocal of

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Examples

• To simplify an expression, you must get rid of
  all negative exponents!
• 1.
• 1. Separate into fractions
  of like bases
• 2. Write reciprocals for
  negative exponents
• 3. Simplify

2.
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Problems to Try

• Simplify, Assume all denominators are not zero.
• 1. 2.
• 3. 4.