Name: Andrew
Who is asking: Student
Level of the question: Middle

Question: okay the question says simplify the variable expression: 3g2h over 12gh
how would u do this?

 

Andrew,

Simplifying this variable expression is very much like simplifying the fraction 810/225 . With this fraction I would probably first notice that 5 divides both the numerator and denominator, so dividing both by 5 I get

 810/225 = 162/45

Now I notice that 9 divides both the numerator and denominator, so dividing both by 9 I get

810/225 = 162/45 = 18/5 

There are no further common factors in the numerator and denominator so my answer is

810/225 =  18/5 

The technique is similar with 3g2h over 12gh. First I notice that there is a common factor of h in the numerator and denominator. Hence

 3g2h/12gh  =  3g2/12g

Next there is a g common factor in the numerator and denominator so

3g2h/12gh  =  3g2/12g = 3g/12 

Finally 3 divides both the numerator and denominator so

3g2h/12gh  =  3g2/12g = 3g/12 = g/4

Penny