Solve: xy-(156÷(13/xy)+36÷(8xy)) - Complex Algebraic Expression

Complex Division with Reciprocal Simplification

xy(156:13xy+36:(8xy))=? xy-(156:\frac{13}{xy}+36:(8\cdot xy))=\text{?}

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Solve
00:03 Negative times positive is always negative
00:20 Division is also multiplication by the reciprocal
00:29 Let's write division as a fraction
00:35 Let's use the distributive law and split 156 into 130 plus 26
00:43 Let's use the distributive law and split 36 into 32 plus 4
00:50 Multiply the outside factor by each term in parentheses
00:59 Break down the fraction into a whole number and remainder
01:05 Calculate 130 divided by 13
01:08 Calculate 26 divided by 13
01:12 Calculate 32 divided by 8
01:18 Calculate 4 divided by 8
01:21 Combine terms
01:29 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

xy(156:13xy+36:(8xy))=? xy-(156:\frac{13}{xy}+36:(8\cdot xy))=\text{?}

2

Step-by-step solution

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

  • Step 1: Simplify the fractions 13xy \frac{13}{xy} and 368xy \frac{36}{8 \cdot xy} .
  • Step 2: Substitute these simplified fractions into the larger expression.
  • Step 3: Simplify the entire expression by performing arithmetic operations and combining like terms.

Now, let's work through each step:
Step 1: Simplify the fractions:
The first fraction is 13xy \frac{13}{xy} , and the second fraction is 368xy=368xy=92xy \frac{36}{8 \cdot xy} = \frac{36}{8xy} = \frac{9}{2xy} after simplifying 368 \frac{36}{8} to 92 \frac{9}{2} . Thus, the fractions are 13xy \frac{13}{xy} and 92xy \frac{9}{2xy} .

Step 2: Substitute into the expression:
We substitute back into the expression:
xy(15613xy+368xy) xy - \left( \frac{156}{\frac{13}{xy}} + \frac{36}{8 \cdot xy} \right) .
This becomes:
xy(156xy13+912xy) xy - \left( 156 \cdot \frac{xy}{13} + 9 \cdot \frac{1}{2xy} \right) by converting division to multiplication by reciprocals.

Step 3: Simplify further:
Simplify 156xy13 156 \cdot \frac{xy}{13} to 12xy 12xy (since 156÷13=12 156 \div 13 = 12 ) and 912xy 9 \cdot \frac{1}{2xy} to 92xy \frac{9}{2xy} .
Now the expression inside the brackets becomes 12xy+92xy 12xy + \frac{9}{2xy} .

Combine with the outer term:
xy(12xy+92xy)=xy12xy92xy xy - \left( 12xy + \frac{9}{2xy} \right) = xy - 12xy - \frac{9}{2xy} .
Thus, the expression simplifies to:
11xy92xy=11xy4121xy -11xy - \frac{9}{2xy} = -11xy - 4\frac{1}{2}\frac{1}{xy} after converting 92xy \frac{9}{2xy} to 4121xy 4\frac{1}{2}\frac{1}{xy} .

Therefore, the solution to the problem is 11xy4121xy -11xy - 4\frac{1}{2}\frac{1}{xy} .

3

Final Answer

11xy4121xy -11xy-4\frac{1}{2}\frac{1}{xy}

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Division Rule: Division by a fraction equals multiplication by its reciprocal
  • Technique: Convert 156÷(13/xy) to 156×(xy/13) = 12xy
  • Check: Verify each fraction conversion: 36÷(8xy) = 36/(8xy) = 9/(2xy) ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Treating division by fractions like regular division
    Don't compute 156÷(13/xy) as 156÷13÷xy = 12÷xy! This ignores the reciprocal rule and gives completely wrong results. Always flip the fraction first: 156×(xy/13) = 12xy.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

\( 100-(5+55)= \)

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why do I flip the fraction when dividing?

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Dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal! Think of it this way: if you have 8÷(1/2), you're asking 'how many halves fit in 8?' The answer is 16, which equals 8×2.

How do I handle the mixed number in the answer?

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The expression 4121xy 4\frac{1}{2}\frac{1}{xy} means 92xy \frac{9}{2xy} . Mixed numbers in algebra are often written as improper fractions for easier calculation.

What if I get confused with all the xy terms?

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Treat xy as a single variable - like calling it 'z'. So xy-12xy becomes z-12z = -11z. Then substitute xy back to get -11xy!

Why is there both xy and 1/xy in the final answer?

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These are completely different terms that cannot be combined! One has xy in the numerator, the other has xy in the denominator - they're like apples and oranges.

How can I check if my final answer is correct?

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Work backwards! Take your answer 11xy92xy -11xy - \frac{9}{2xy} and see if adding back 12xy+92xy 12xy + \frac{9}{2xy} gives you the original xy ✓

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