How do you divide with variables?

When dividing variables, you write the problem as a fraction. Then, using the greatest common factor, you divide the numbers and reduce. You use the rules of exponents to divide variables that are the same — so you subtract the powers.

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When can you divide by variables?

Summary. Don't divide by variables or by algebraic expressions. Don't cancel by variables or by algebraic expressions. Always consider whether the factor by which you would want to divide could equal zero, and either factor it out or consider the process in separate cases.

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When dividing variables What is the rule for exponents?

Dividing variables raised to a power involves subtracting their exponents. Exponentiation of variables raised to a power involves multiplying the exponents. Note: There are no easy rules for addition and subtraction of variables raised to a power.

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How do you divide a squared variable?

To divide them, you take the exponent value in the numerator (the top exponent) and subtract the exponent value of the denominator (the bottom exponent).

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How do you solve for variables?

Step 1: Simplify both sides of the equation. Step 2: Move all of the parts containing the variable you are solving for to the same side of the equation. Step 3:. Isolate the variable using inverse operations.

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How to Divide a Variable by a Number

20 related questions found

Why can't you divide both sides by a variable?

Never divide both sides of the equation by a variable, even if you're doing it to try to solve a rational equation, because there's a very real danger that you will actually eliminate answers.

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Is a variable divided by itself 1?

Any number, except zero, divided by itself is 1.

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What is a number multiplied or divided by a variable?

A coefficient is a number multiplied by a variable.

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What are the names of the variables in division?

What is being divided is called the dividend, which is divided by the divisor, and the result is called the quotient. In the example, 20 is the dividend, 5 is the divisor, and 4 is the quotient.

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How to solve equations with division and variables on both sides?

To solve an equation that has the same variable on both sides of it, you need to get the variables together on one side of the equation, and then get the numbers together on the other side of the equation.

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What is a variable in math?

Variables in math are symbols, often letters, that represent different values in various situations. They help us understand and solve problems with changing values.

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What are division rules for equations?

Some Quick Rules about Division:
  • When you divide 0 by another number the answer is always 0. ...
  • When you divide a number by 0 you are not dividing at all (this is quite a problem in mathematics). ...
  • When you divide by 1, the answer is the same as the number you were dividing. ...
  • When you divide by 2 you are halving the number.

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How do you divide a number in scientific notation?

Division: To divide numbers in scientific notation, first divide the decimal numbers. Then subtract the exponents of your power of 10. Place the new power of 10 with the decimal in scientific notation form.

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Can you divide by a variable in math?

Dividing variables in an algebra problem is fairly straightforward. Each variable is considered separately. The number coefficients are reduced the same as in simple fractions. When dividing variables, you write the problem as a fraction.

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