Question

Simplify.

A. 9xy/12yz   B. 108/72y

Answer 1

A) The expression is 9xy / 12yz.

First find the GCF of 9xy and 12yz.

Factor each monomial and Circle the common prime factors.

The product of the common prime factors, 3·y or 3y, is called the greatest common factor of 9xy and 12yz.

Write each term as the product of the GCF and its remaining factors.

= (3y)(3x) / (3y)(4z)

Cancel common terms.

= 3x / 4z

Therefore 9xy / 12yz = 3x / 4z.

B) The expression is 108 / 72y.

First find the GCF of 108 and 72y.

Factor each monomial and Circle the common prime factors.

The product of the common prime factors, 2·2·3·3 or 36, is called the greatest common factor of 108 and 72y.

Write each term as the product of the GCF and its remaining factors.

= 36(3) / 36(2y)

Cancel common terms.

= 3 / 2y

Therefore 108 / 72y = 3 / 2y.