need help solving 1+3/y/5/y^2 (i get 1y+3=5y)

abbie

New member
Joined
Aug 28, 2008
Messages
4
can anyone solve this?

1+3/y
---------- (divide)
5/y^2 (exponent is 2)

my answer is 1y+3=5y... but im not sure.

please help.

-abbie-
 
Your Answer Does Not Make Sense ...

Hi Abbie:

abbie said:
can anyone solve this?

"Solve" is not the correct word, here. You want to use "simplify".

Use "solve" when asking for the value of y. We cannot solve for y because we do not have enough information. We can simplify the given rational expression, however.

\(\displaystyle \frac{1 + \frac{3}{y}}{\frac{5}{y^2}}\)

Dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by the reciprocal of that fraction. This expression shows that (1+3/y) is being divided by the fraction 5/y^2. We can multiply by y^2/5 instead.

\(\displaystyle \left(1 + \frac{3}{y}\right)\;\cdot\;\frac{y^2}{5}\)

Rewrite 1 + 3/y as a single fraction. Then, multiply by y^2/5 to finish the simplification.

... my answer is 1y+3=5y ...

This must be a typographical error because the final result cannot contain an equal sign. Also, do not write 1y because this goes against standard notation. Just write y when you want to express a single y.

Cheers,

~ Mark :)
 
Re: 1+3/y/5/y^2

1+3/y/5/y^2 might mean \(\displaystyle 1+\frac{\frac{3}{y}}{\frac{5}{y^2}}\)

It also might mean \(\displaystyle 1+\frac{3}{\frac{y}{\frac{5}{y^2}}}\)

And there are probably other possibilities. You need to use parenthesis to explain what you mean.
 
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