# Fractions, Exponents, and x

by tunaizgood
Tags: exponents, fractions
 P: 1 I simply just don't get fractions and exponents i was given this problem: [6x^(4/5)-3x(2/3)]/3x^(1/3) i haven't gotten anywhere and i'm stuck help thanks in advance
 Sci Advisor HW Helper PF Gold P: 12,016 What problem? What are you supposed to do? All you have done so far is to present an expression. What are you supposed to do with it? Paint the expression on a subway station, perhaps? (That would be easy, but technically illegal)
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 Quote by tunaizgood I simply just don't get fractions and exponents i was given this problem: [6x^(4/5)-3x(2/3)]/3x^(1/3)
Is there supposed to be a "^" before the 2/3?

 i haven't gotten anywhere and i'm stuck help thanks in advance
So this is
$$\frac{6x^{\frac{4}{5}}- 3x^{\frac{2}{3}}}{3x^{\frac{1}{3}}}$$
and you want to simplify it? I would start by factoring out a "3"
$$\frac{3(2x^{\frac{4}{5}}- x^{\frac{2}{3}})}{3x^{\frac{1}{3}}}$$
$$=\frac{2x^{\frac{4}{5}}- x^{\frac{2}{3}}}{x^{\frac{1}{3}}}$$
Now write the $x^{1/3}$ in the denominator as $x^{-1/3}$ in the numerator and use the "laws of exponents": $x^ax^b= x^{a+b}$

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