Factoring and Dividing: 5x^2y - 10xy / 5xy, 6ab - 3a^2b^2/

[JohnB.]

Hi. New here and hope I am in the right section. I have gone back to college, and right now in Basic Skills to pass the algebra accuplacer. Passed everything else. Haven't done algebra much in my life at all.

We are off for a week and the only book allowed to bring home is really not a good one. I've learned a lot, but right now I'm at factoring and dividing which I am having some problems with. I'll write out a few as examples.

I can do factoring I'm just not clicking with this part for some reason. Any help would be great. Thanks ahead of time.

I'll write out complete instructions.

Factoring is often used to simplify a quotient of algebraic expressions. If a single term or an expression of 2 or more terms is a factor in both top and bottom expressions, that term or expression divides and cancels out.

Simplify each quotient by dividing out the common factor.

5x^2y - 10xy =
___________
5xy

Here is another one.

6ab - 3a^2b^2
____________
3ab

One more.

x^2 + xy
________
x + y

[Martingale]

...
5x^2y - 10xy =
___________
5xy

Here is another one.

6ab - 3a^2b^2
____________
3ab

One more.

x^2 + xy
________
x + y

for the first one the numerator has a common factor of 5xy...

[stapel_eliz]

It looks like you're expected to know how to do simple factorizations (as opposed to the more-complicated sorts). To learn, try here.

[JohnB.]

Thanks to you both for replying, help and the link. I appreciate it.