Exponent Question: Simplifying 6ab - 2b2 / 12ab - 4b2

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The discussion focuses on simplifying the expression (6ab - 2b²) / (12ab - 4b²). The correct simplification involves factoring out common terms from both the numerator and denominator. The final answer is 0.5ab + 0.5b², confirming that -2b² / -4b² simplifies to 0.5b², not just 1, as the exponents cancel out to zero, resulting in a value of 1 for that term.

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Hi I am currently doing this problem and ran into a fork in the road-

6ab - 2b2 / 12ab - 4b2

I got .5ab + .5b2 as my answer. Now I am wondering if the second part is right because I am not sure if -2b2 / -4b2
is either .5b2 or just 1.. because the exponents 2-2= 0 and anything with the exponent of 0 equals 1 right?

Some help would be appreciated.
 
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If its (6ab - 2b^2) / (12ab - 4b^2)

pull out the common multiples from the numerator and dominator

also .5b^2 and 1 don't work
 
yes anything with exponent of 0 equals one you then multiply that one with -2 / -4,... the same way any number divided that number is one except zero yada yada yada...
 

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