To simplify this expression

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 149 views

Understanding the Problem

When dealing with algebraic expressions, simplification is a crucial step to make the expression more manageable and easier to work with. In this problem, we are given the expression $\left(4 w^3 + 10 w^2\right) \div 2 w^2$ and we need to simplify it. Simplifying an expression involves reducing it to its simplest form by combining like terms, canceling out common factors, and performing any other necessary operations.

Breaking Down the Expression

To simplify the given expression, we need to start by breaking it down into smaller parts. We can begin by identifying the terms that are being added together inside the parentheses: $4 w^3$ and $10 w^2$ . These two terms are being added together, and then the result is being divided by $2 w^2$ . Dividing by a term is equivalent to multiplying by its reciprocal, so we can rewrite the expression as $\left(4 w^3 + 10 w^2\right) \times \frac{1}{2 w^2}$ .

Simplifying the Expression

Now that we have broken down the expression, we can start simplifying it. We can begin by multiplying the terms inside the parentheses by the reciprocal of $2 w^2$ . This gives us $\frac{4 w^3 + 10 w^2}{2 w^2}$ . To simplify this expression, we need to combine the terms in the numerator. We can do this by factoring out the common term $w^2$ from both terms. This gives us $\frac{w^2(4 w + 10)}{2 w^2}$ .

Canceling Out Common Factors

Now that we have factored out the common term $w^2$ from the numerator, we can cancel it out with the $w^2$ term in the denominator. This gives us $\frac{4 w + 10}{2}$ . Canceling out common factors is an important step in simplifying expressions, as it helps to reduce the complexity of the expression and make it easier to work with.

Final Simplified Expression

The final simplified expression is $\frac{4 w + 10}{2}$ . This expression cannot be simplified further, as there are no common factors that can be canceled out. The final simplified expression is the simplest form of the original expression, and it is the result of combining like terms, canceling out common factors, and performing any other necessary operations.

Conclusion

In this problem, we simplified the expression $\left(4 w^3 + 10 w^2\right) \div 2 w^2$ by breaking it down into smaller parts, combining like terms, canceling out common factors, and performing any other necessary operations. The final simplified expression is $\frac{4 w + 10}{2}$ . Simplifying expressions is an important step in algebra, as it helps to make the expression more manageable and easier to work with.

Tips and Tricks

When simplifying expressions, it is often helpful to break them down into smaller parts and work with each part separately.
Combining like terms is an important step in simplifying expressions, as it helps to reduce the complexity of the expression.
Canceling out common factors is also an important step in simplifying expressions, as it helps to reduce the complexity of the expression and make it easier to work with.
When simplifying expressions, it is often helpful to use the distributive property to expand the expression and make it easier to work with.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

One common mistake to avoid when simplifying expressions is to forget to combine like terms.
Another common mistake to avoid is to forget to cancel out common factors.
It is also important to avoid making mistakes when using the distributive property to expand the expression.
Finally, it is also important to avoid making mistakes when simplifying expressions by not following the order of operations.

Real-World Applications

Simplifying expressions is an important skill in many real-world applications, including:

Algebra: Simplifying expressions is an important step in solving algebraic equations and inequalities.
Calculus: Simplifying expressions is an important step in solving calculus problems, including optimization problems and integration problems.
Physics: Simplifying expressions is an important step in solving physics problems, including problems involving motion and energy.
Engineering: Simplifying expressions is an important step in solving engineering problems, including problems involving design and optimization.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, simplifying expressions is an important skill in mathematics and has many real-world applications. By breaking down the expression into smaller parts, combining like terms, canceling out common factors, and performing any other necessary operations, we can simplify the expression and make it easier to work with. The final simplified expression is the simplest form of the original expression, and it is the result of combining like terms, canceling out common factors, and performing any other necessary operations.

Q&A: Simplifying the Expression

Q: What is the first step in simplifying the expression $\left(4 w^3 + 10 w^2\right) \div 2 w^2$ ?

A: The first step in simplifying the expression is to break it down into smaller parts. We can start by identifying the terms that are being added together inside the parentheses: $4 w^3$ and $10 w^2$ . These two terms are being added together, and then the result is being divided by $2 w^2$ .

Q: How do we simplify the expression $\left(4 w^3 + 10 w^2\right) \div 2 w^2$ ?

A: We can simplify the expression by multiplying the terms inside the parentheses by the reciprocal of $2 w^2$ . This gives us $\frac{4 w^3 + 10 w^2}{2 w^2}$ . We can then combine the terms in the numerator by factoring out the common term $w^2$ from both terms.

Q: What is the next step in simplifying the expression?

A: The next step in simplifying the expression is to cancel out the common factor $w^2$ in the numerator and denominator. This gives us $\frac{4 w + 10}{2}$ .

Q: Why is it important to simplify expressions?

A: Simplifying expressions is important because it helps to make the expression more manageable and easier to work with. By simplifying the expression, we can reduce the complexity of the expression and make it easier to solve.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when simplifying expressions?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when simplifying expressions include forgetting to combine like terms, forgetting to cancel out common factors, and making mistakes when using the distributive property to expand the expression.

Q: How do we use the distributive property to simplify expressions?

A: We can use the distributive property to simplify expressions by multiplying each term inside the parentheses by the factor outside the parentheses. For example, if we have the expression $(a + b) \times c$ , we can use the distributive property to expand it as $a \times c + b \times c$ .

Q: What are some real-world applications of simplifying expressions?

A: Simplifying expressions has many real-world applications, including algebra, calculus, physics, and engineering. By simplifying expressions, we can solve problems more easily and make it easier to work with complex equations and inequalities.

Q: How do we know when an expression is simplified?

A: We know when an expression is simplified when there are no common factors that can be canceled out and the expression cannot be further simplified. The final simplified expression is the simplest form of the original expression.

Q: What are some tips for simplifying expressions?

A: Some tips for simplifying expressions include breaking down the expression into smaller parts, combining like terms, canceling out common factors, and using the distributive property to expand the expression.

Additional Resources

For more information on simplifying expressions, check out the following resources:

Khan Academy: Simplifying Expressions
Mathway: Simplifying Expressions
Wolfram Alpha: Simplifying Expressions