Multiplying the Numerators and Denominators

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 122 views

Introduction

In algebra, multiplying and simplifying expressions is a crucial skill that helps us solve equations and manipulate mathematical statements. In this article, we will focus on multiplying and simplifying the expression $\frac{6x}{10} \times \frac{6x}{3x^3}$ , and we will also identify any excluded values.

Multiplying the Numerators and Denominators

To multiply two fractions, we multiply the numerators together and the denominators together. In this case, we have:

$\frac{6x}{10} \times \frac{6x}{3x^3} = \frac{(6x)(6x)}{(10)(3x^3)}$

Simplifying the Expression

Now, let's simplify the expression by canceling out any common factors in the numerator and denominator. We can start by factoring out the greatest common factor (GCF) of the numerator and denominator.

The GCF of $6x$ and $10$ is $2$ , and the GCF of $6x$ and $3x^3$ is $6x$ . Therefore, we can rewrite the expression as:

$\frac{(6x)(6x)}{(10)(3x^3)} = \frac{2 \times 3x \times 6x}{2 \times 5 \times 3x^3}$

Now, we can cancel out the common factors:

$\frac{2 \times 3x \times 6x}{2 \times 5 \times 3x^3} = \frac{3x \times 6x}{5 \times 3x^3}$

Further Simplification

We can further simplify the expression by canceling out the common factor of $3x$ in the numerator and denominator:

$\frac{3x \times 6x}{5 \times 3x^3} = \frac{6x}{5x^2}$

Excluded Values

The expression $\frac{6x}{5x^2}$ is undefined when the denominator is equal to zero. Therefore, we must exclude the value $x = 0$ from the domain of the expression.

Conclusion

In conclusion, multiplying and simplifying the expression $\frac{6x}{10} \times \frac{6x}{3x^3}$ results in the simplified expression $\frac{6x}{5x^2}$ . We must also exclude the value $x = 0$ from the domain of the expression.

Final Answer

The final answer is $\boxed{\frac{6x}{5x^2}}$ .

Excluded Value

The excluded value is $x = 0$ .

Step-by-Step Solution

Here is the step-by-step solution to the problem:

Multiply the numerators together: $(6x)(6x) = 36x^2$
Multiply the denominators together: $(10)(3x^3) = 30x^3$
Simplify the expression by canceling out common factors: $\frac{36x^2}{30x^3} = \frac{6x}{5x^2}$
Exclude the value $x = 0$ from the domain of the expression.

Common Mistakes

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when multiplying and simplifying algebraic expressions:

Failing to cancel out common factors
Not excluding values that make the denominator equal to zero
Not simplifying the expression as much as possible

Real-World Applications

Multiplying and simplifying algebraic expressions has many real-world applications, including:

Solving equations in physics and engineering
Modeling population growth and decay
Analyzing data in statistics and data science

Practice Problems

Here are some practice problems to help you improve your skills in multiplying and simplifying algebraic expressions:

Multiply and simplify the expression $\frac{4x}{6} \times \frac{3x}{2x^2}$
Multiply and simplify the expression $\frac{5y}{8} \times \frac{2y}{3y^2}$
Multiply and simplify the expression $\frac{3z}{4} \times \frac{2z}{5z^2}$
Multiplying and Simplifying Algebraic Expressions: Q&A =====================================================

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed how to multiply and simplify algebraic expressions. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about multiplying and simplifying algebraic expressions.

Q: What is the order of operations when multiplying and simplifying algebraic expressions?

A: When multiplying and simplifying algebraic expressions, the order of operations is:

Multiply the numerators together
Multiply the denominators together
Simplify the expression by canceling out common factors
Exclude values that make the denominator equal to zero

Q: How do I know when to cancel out common factors?

A: To cancel out common factors, look for factors that appear in both the numerator and denominator. If you find a common factor, you can cancel it out by dividing both the numerator and denominator by that factor.

Q: What is the difference between a variable and a constant?

A: A variable is a letter or symbol that represents a value that can change, such as x or y. A constant is a value that does not change, such as 2 or 5.

Q: How do I simplify an expression with multiple variables?

A: To simplify an expression with multiple variables, follow the same steps as before:

Multiply the numerators together
Multiply the denominators together
Simplify the expression by canceling out common factors
Exclude values that make the denominator equal to zero

Q: What is the excluded value in the expression $\frac{3x}{4} \times \frac{2x}{5x^2}$ ?

A: The excluded value in the expression $\frac{3x}{4} \times \frac{2x}{5x^2}$ is $x = 0$ .

Q: How do I multiply and simplify an expression with a negative exponent?

A: To multiply and simplify an expression with a negative exponent, follow the same steps as before:

Multiply the numerators together
Multiply the denominators together
Simplify the expression by canceling out common factors
Exclude values that make the denominator equal to zero

Q: What is the difference between a rational expression and a rational number?

A: A rational expression is an expression that can be written in the form $\frac{a}{b}$ , where a and b are polynomials. A rational number is a number that can be written in the form $\frac{a}{b}$ , where a and b are integers.

Q: How do I multiply and simplify an expression with a rational number?

A: To multiply and simplify an expression with a rational number, follow the same steps as before:

Multiply the numerators together
Multiply the denominators together
Simplify the expression by canceling out common factors
Exclude values that make the denominator equal to zero

Q: What is the final answer to the expression $\frac{6x}{10} \times \frac{6x}{3x^3}$ ?

A: The final answer to the expression $\frac{6x}{10} \times \frac{6x}{3x^3}$ is $\frac{6x}{5x^2}$ .