If you’re working with a problem with variables, such as m6 ÷ x4, then there’s nothing more you can do to simplify it. However, if the bases are numbers and not variables, you may be able to manipulate them so you end up with the same base. For example, in the problem, 23 ÷ 41, you first have to make both bases be “2. " All you do is rewrite 4 as 22 and do the math: 23 ÷ 22 = 21, or 2. You can only do this, however, if you can turn the larger base into an expression of squared numbers to make it have the same base as the first.
x6y3z2 ÷ x4y3z = x6-4y3-3z2-1 = x2z
6x4 ÷ 3x2 = 6/3x4-2 = 2x2
Example 1: x-3/x-7 = x7/x3 = x7-3 = x4 Example 2: 3x-2y/xy = 3y/(x2 * xy) = 3y/x3y = 3/x3
x-3/x-7 = x7/x3 = x7-3 = x4
3x-2y/xy = 3y/(x2 * xy) = 3y/x3y = 3/x3
