Coaching Centre
Multiplying and dividing terms
Multiplying algebraic terms, using index notation for repeated pronumerals, and dividing terms by cancelling common factors.
Multiplying terms
Simplify (a) $3a \times 4b$ and (b) $-2x \times 5xy$.
(a) $12ab$
(b) $-10x^2y$
Dividing terms
Simplify $\dfrac{12ab}{18b}$.
$\dfrac{12ab}{18b} = \dfrac{2a}{3}$
Cancel 6 from the numbers and b from the letters.
Simplify $-20x^2y \div 4x$.
$\dfrac{-20 \times x \times x \times y}{4 \times x} = -5xy$
$a imes a$
$a^2$
$4m imes 3n$
$12mn$
$dfrac{8xy}{2x}$
$4y$
Simplify $3a \times 4b$.
$3 \times 4 = 12$.
Simplify $-2x \times 5xy$.
$x \times x = x^2$.
Simplify $\dfrac{12ab}{18b}$.
Cancel $6$ and $b$.
Simplify $-20x^2y \div 4x$.
One $x$ cancels.
$p \times p \times p$ is:
Three factors of $p$.
$\dfrac{8xy}{2x}$ simplifies to:
Cancel $2x$.
$(-3m) \times (-2n)$ is:
Two negatives give a positive.
$4a \times 2a \times b$ is:
$4 \times 2 = 8$, $a \times a = a^2$.
New numbers every time. Keep going until you get five in a row.