Problem

Simplify ( square root of 16x^5y^12)/( square root of 36xy^2)

The question asks to perform a simplification of a given algebraic expression. The expression involves a ratio of two square roots, each containing variables with exponents and numerical coefficients. The aim is to simplify the complex expression to its simplest algebraic form, using the properties of exponents and the rules for simplifying square roots.

16x5y1236xy2

Answer

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Solution:

Step 1:

Merge 16x5y12 with 36xy2 to form a single square root expression: 16x5y1236xy2.

Step 2:

Simplify the fraction 16x5y1236xy2 by removing common factors.

Step 2.1:

Extract the factor of 4 from the numerator 16x5y12: 4(4x5y12)36xy2.

Step 2.2:

Extract the factor of 4 from the denominator 36xy2: 4(4x5y12)4(9xy2).

Step 2.3:

Eliminate the common factor of 4: 4(4x5y12)4(9xy2).

Step 2.4:

Reformulate the expression: 4x5y129xy2.

Step 3:

Remove the common x powers from x5 and x.

Step 3.1:

Isolate x from the numerator 4x5y12: x(4x4y12)9xy2.

Step 3.2:

Discard the common x factors.

Step 3.2.1:

Isolate x from the denominator 9xy2: x(4x4y12)x(9y2).

Step 3.2.2:

Eliminate the common x factor: x(4x4y12)x(9y2).

Step 3.2.3:

Rephrase the expression: 4x4y129y2.

Step 4:

Reduce the y powers by canceling out common factors from y12 and y2.

Step 4.1:

Extract y2 from the numerator 4x4y12: y2(4x4y10)9y2.

Step 4.2:

Remove the common y2 factors.

Step 4.2.1:

Extract y2 from the denominator 9y2: y2(4x4y10)y29.

Step 4.2.2:

Cancel the common y2 factor: y2(4x4y10)y29.

Step 4.2.3:

Restate the expression: 4x4y109.

Step 5:

Represent 4x4y10 as (2x2y5)2: (2x2y5)29.

Step 6:

Express 9 as 32: (2x2y5)232.

Step 7:

Rewrite (2x2y5)232 as (2x2y53)2: (2x2y53)2.

Step 8:

Extract terms from under the radical, assuming all are positive real numbers: 2x2y53.

Knowledge Notes:

The problem involves simplifying a radical expression containing a fraction. The steps taken to simplify the expression include:

  1. Combining the radicals into a single radical expression.

  2. Factoring out common terms from the numerator and the denominator.

  3. Canceling out common factors to simplify the fraction inside the radical.

  4. Recognizing perfect squares and simplifying them to remove the radical.

Key concepts used in this problem include:

  • Radical Simplification: The process of simplifying expressions under a radical sign, often by factoring out perfect squares or cubes, depending on the index of the radical.

  • Fraction Reduction: The process of simplifying a fraction by canceling out common factors from the numerator and the denominator.

  • Algebraic Manipulation: The use of algebraic rules to rewrite expressions in a simpler or more convenient form.

  • Square Roots: The square root of a number is a value that, when multiplied by itself, gives the original number. The square root of a perfect square is always an integer.

The final result is obtained by applying these concepts systematically to simplify the given expression.

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