Simplify the following expression:
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Simplify the following expression:
Let's first write the exercise as a fraction:
We'll reduce between the a in both the numerator and the denominator of the fraction:
Let's proceed to write the 34 in the numerator of the fraction as a smaller multiplication exercise:
Let's write the 4 in the denominator of the fraction as a smaller multiplication exercise:
We'll reduce between the 2 in the numerator and denominator of the fraction:
\( 60:(10\times2)= \)
Great question! The variable 'a' was in both the numerator (34a) and denominator (8a). When the same variable appears in both places, they cancel out completely, just like .
Look for common factors between the numerator and denominator. Here, both 34 and the denominator had factors of 2, so factoring 34 = 17 × 2 helped us cancel the 2's.
If variables are different (like 'a' in numerator and 'b' in denominator), you cannot cancel them. They stay in your final answer as separate variables.
Yes! Numbers follow the same rule. If the same number appears as a factor in both numerator and denominator, you can cancel them. That's why becomes .
Multiply your answer by the original denominator. You should get the original numerator! Here: ✓
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