Chapter 8: Problem 46
Perform the operations and simplify, if possible. See Example 5 $$\frac{16 c^{3}}{5 d^{2}} \cdot \frac{25 d}{12 c}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The expression simplifies to \( \frac{20c^2}{3d} \).
Step by step solution
01
Multiply the Numerators
Write down the product of the numerators: \( 16c^3 \times 25d \). Multiply the coefficients and the variables separately:\[16 \times 25 = 400,\]and the variables:\[c^3 \cdot d = c^3d.\]The resulting expression is \( 400c^3d \).
02
Multiply the Denominators
Write down the product of the denominators: \( 5d^2 \times 12c \). Multiply the coefficients and the variables separately:\[5 \times 12 = 60,\]and the variables:\[d^2 \cdot c = d^2c.\]The resulting expression is \( 60d^2c \).
03
Divide the Products
Take the expressions from Steps 1 and 2 to form the fraction:\[\frac{400c^3d}{60d^2c}\]Divide the coefficients and the variables separately:\[\frac{400}{60} = \frac{40}{6} = \frac{20}{3},\]For the variables, cancel out like terms:\[\frac{c^3}{c} = c^2,\]and\[\frac{d}{d^2} = \frac{1}{d}.\]
04
Simplify the Expression
Combine the results from Step 3 to write the simplified expression:\[\frac{20}{3} \cdot c^2 \cdot \frac{1}{d} = \frac{20c^2}{3d}.\]This is the final simplified form of the expression.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Understanding Multiplication of Fractions
Multiplication of fractions is a fundamental operation in algebra. When multiplying fractions, you multiply both the numerators and the denominators. In the given exercise, two algebraic fractions are multiplied: \( \frac{16 c^{3}}{5 d^{2}} \) and \( \frac{25 d}{12 c} \).
To multiply these:
To multiply these:
- Multiply the numerators: \( 16c^3 \times 25d = 400c^3d \). Here, you multiply the coefficients and the variables separately. The coefficients are 16 and 25, resulting in 400. The variables \( c^3 \) and \( d \) give \( c^3d \).
- Multiply the denominators: \( 5d^2 \times 12c = 60d^2c \). Similarly, the coefficients 5 and 12 multiply to give 60, and the variables \( d^2 \) and \( c \) give \( d^2c \).
Simplifying Algebraic Expressions
Simplifying algebraic expressions means reducing them into their simplest form. This often makes calculations easier and expressions clearer. In our case, we simplify \( \frac{400c^3d}{60d^2c} \) by reducing both the coefficients and the variables.
Here’s how you do it:
Here’s how you do it:
- Begin with the coefficients from the fraction \( \frac{400}{60} \). Dividing both by their greatest common divisor (GCD), which is 20, gives \( \frac{20}{3} \).
- Next, handle the variables. For \( \frac{c^3}{c} \), simplify by canceling common \( c \) terms, resulting in \( c^2 \). For \( \frac{d}{d^2} \), one \( d \) cancels out, leaving \( \frac{1}{d} \).
Exploring Variables and Coefficients
Variables and coefficients are the building blocks of algebraic expressions. Understanding their roles is crucial in performing mathematical operations correctly.
- **Variables** - These are symbols, like \( c \) and \( d \), representing numbers that can vary or change. In algebra, they allow for the expression of general patterns and relationships.
- **Coefficients** - These are the numerical parts of terms. For instance, in \( 16c^3 \), the coefficient is 16. Coefficients give terms their size or magnitude but not their direction.