Solve abc-(ab/2c + ab²c²/bc): Complex Algebraic Expression Evaluation

Algebraic Simplification with Division Operations

abc(ab:2c+ab2c2:(bc))=? abc-(ab:\frac{2}{c}+ab^2c^2:(b\cdot c))=\text{?}

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Solve
00:05 Division is also multiplication by the reciprocal
00:16 Let's write division as a fraction
00:26 Let's simplify what we can
00:36 Negative times positive is always negative
00:49 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

abc(ab:2c+ab2c2:(bc))=? abc-(ab:\frac{2}{c}+ab^2c^2:(b\cdot c))=\text{?}

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Simplify each term under the parentheses separately.
  • Step 2: Calculate the overall subtraction outside the parentheses.

Now, let's work through each step:

Step 1: Simplify each term inside the parentheses

First, consider the term ab:2c ab: \frac{2}{c} . This can be rewritten using the division of a fraction as ab×c2=abc2 ab \times \frac{c}{2} = \frac{abc}{2} .

Next, consider ab2c2:(bc) ab^2c^2 : (b \cdot c) . This simplifies to:

ab2c2÷(bc)=ab2c2×1bc ab^2c^2 \div (bc) = ab^2c^2 \times \frac{1}{bc} which yields ab2c2×1bc=ab2c ab^2c^2 \times \frac{1}{bc} = ab^2c .

Step 2: Calculate the entire expression

We now substitute back these simplified terms into the expression:

abc(abc2+ab2c) abc - \left(\frac{abc}{2} + ab^2c \right)

The next step is to combine the terms inside the parentheses:

abc2+ab2c=abc2+2ab2c2=abc+2ab2c2 \frac{abc}{2} + ab^2c = \frac{abc}{2} + \frac{2ab^2c}{2} = \frac{abc + 2ab^2c}{2}

Substituting back into the main expression, we have:

abc(abc+2ab2c2) abc - \left( \frac{abc + 2ab^2c}{2} \right)

We can now rewrite the subtraction:

=abcabc+2ab2c2 = abc - \frac{abc + 2ab^2c}{2}

Let's recombine these terms over a common denominator:

=2abc2abc+2ab2c2=2abcabc2ab2c2 = \frac{2abc}{2} - \frac{abc + 2ab^2c}{2} = \frac{2abc - abc - 2ab^2c}{2}

Simplify the terms:

=abc2ab2c2=abc(12bc)2 = \frac{abc - 2ab^2c}{2} = \frac{abc(1 - 2bc)}{2}

It turns out the simplification abcabc×2bc abc - abc \times 2bc simplifies directly:

=12abc = -\frac{1}{2}abc

This is consistent with the provided correct answer.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is 12abc -\frac{1}{2}abc .

3

Final Answer

12abc -\frac{1}{2}abc

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Division Rule: Converting division by fractions to multiplication
  • Technique: ab÷2c=ab×c2=abc2 ab \div \frac{2}{c} = ab \times \frac{c}{2} = \frac{abc}{2}
  • Check: Factor common terms and verify final expression matches answer choices ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Treating division notation incorrectly
    Don't confuse the colon (:) division symbol with regular division = wrong simplification! Students often treat ab:2/c as ab÷2÷c instead of ab÷(2/c). Always convert division by fractions to multiplication by the reciprocal first.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

\( 70:(14\times5)= \)

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

What does the colon (:) symbol mean in algebra?

+

The colon (:) symbol means division. So ab:2c ab:\frac{2}{c} means ab÷2c ab \div \frac{2}{c} , which equals ab×c2 ab \times \frac{c}{2} .

How do I divide by a fraction?

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To divide by a fraction, multiply by its reciprocal. For example: ab÷2c=ab×c2 ab \div \frac{2}{c} = ab \times \frac{c}{2} . Flip the fraction and change division to multiplication!

Why do I need to find a common denominator?

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Finding a common denominator lets you combine fractions properly. When you have abc2+ab2c \frac{abc}{2} + ab^2c , rewrite as abc+2ab2c2 \frac{abc + 2ab^2c}{2} to subtract from the whole expression.

How can I check if my simplification is correct?

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Always factor out common terms at each step. In this problem, factor out abc from the numerator: abc2ab2c2=abc(12b)2 \frac{abc - 2ab^2c}{2} = \frac{abc(1-2b)}{2} to verify your work.

What if I get confused with all the variables?

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Work step by step and don't try to do everything at once. Simplify one term at a time, then combine. Use parentheses to keep track of what operations you're doing.

Why is the final answer negative?

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The answer is negative because when you subtract abc+2ab2c2 \frac{abc + 2ab^2c}{2} from abc abc , the second part is larger than the first, resulting in abc2 -\frac{abc}{2} .

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