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For exercises 1-66, simplify. $$ \frac{27 h k^{4}}{54 h k} $$

Short Answer

Expert verified
The simplified form is \( \frac{k^3}{2} \).

Step by step solution

01

Identify Common Factors

Look at the numerator and denominator of the fraction. Identify common factors that can be found in both parts. The given fraction is \( \frac{27 hk^4}{54 hk} \). Notice that both the numerator and denominator have the terms 27, 54, h, and k.
02

Simplify Numerical Coefficients

Divide the numerical coefficients in the numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor (GCD). The GCD of 27 and 54 is 27. Thus \( \frac{27}{54} = \frac{1}{2} \). Now the fraction is \( \frac{1hk^4}{2hk} \).
03

Simplify Variables

Next, simplify the variables. The common variables h and k are in both the numerator and the denominator. Simplify by cancelling like terms: \( \frac{1h k^{4}}{2h k} \) becomes \( \frac{k^3}{2} \) because \( k^4 / k = k^3 \) and \( h/h = 1 \).
04

Final Simplified Expression

The final simplified form of the fraction is \( \frac{k^3}{2} \).

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Greatest Common Divisor
When simplifying fractions, one of the key steps is determining the Greatest Common Divisor (GCD). The GCD of two numbers is the largest number that divides both of them without leaving a remainder. For example, to simplify the fraction \( \frac{27 \, hk^4}{54 \, hk} \), you'll need to find the GCD of 27 and 54.

In this case, the GCD is 27. This means that both 27 and 54 can be divided without leaving a remainder. To simplify the numerical part of the fraction, divide both the numerator and the denominator by their GCD: \[ \frac{27}{54} = \frac{1}{2} \]. This reduces our fraction for numerical coefficients.
Numerical Coefficients
Numerical coefficients are the numbers that multiply the variables in an algebraic expression. In the fraction \( \frac{27 \, hk^4}{54 \, hk} \), 27 and 54 are the numerical coefficients. Once you find their GCD, divide them to simplify the fraction.

We've already seen that dividing 27 and 54 by their GCD (27) yields \[ \frac{27}{54} = \frac{1}{2} \]. After this division, the fraction now looks like \( \frac{1hk^4}{2hk} \). We've simplified the numerical part, making it easier to handle and focus on the variables.
Canceling Like Terms
Canceling like terms is one of the most useful tricks in simplifying fractions. If the same variable appears in both the numerator and the denominator, we can cancel them out. In our fraction \( \frac{27hk^4}{54hk} \), both h and k are in the numerator and the denominator.

To simplify, divide both numerator and denominator by their common terms:
  • For h: \( h/h = 1 \)
  • For k: \( k^4 / k = k^3 \)
This simplifies our fraction to \( \frac{k^3}{2} \). The canceling of like terms eliminates extra variables, making the equation simpler and easier to understand.
Variable Simplification
When simplifying algebraic fractions, focus on reducing the variables. After canceling out like terms, ensure all variables are in their simplest form.

In our example: \( \frac{27hk^4}{54hk} \), by canceling the common terms h and k, the simplified version is \( \frac{k^3}{2} \). Here we reduced \[ k^4 / k = k^3 \], ensuring no unnecessary variables are complicating the expression.

Such variable simplification is essential in algebra as it makes equations more manageable and highlights the core variables influencing the final result.

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