Multiplying by Inverse of a Fraction question Hey so I'm doing an exercise and I got a bit confused by something. I've learned early on that you can multiply the inverse of a fraction and would get the same result as you would if you divided, since you do the exact opposite. Then why doesn't this hold true for: (10z^(1/3))/((2z^(2))) = (10z^(1/3)) * (2z^(-2))

Addison Parker

Addison Parker

Answered question

2022-09-09

Multiplying by Inverse of a Fraction question
Hey so I'm doing an exercise and I got a bit confused by something.
I've learned early on that you can multiply the inverse of a fraction and would get the same result as you would if you divided, since you do the exact opposite.
Then why doesn't this hold true for:
10 z 1 / 3 2 z 2 = 10 z 1 / 3 2 z 2
Please explain in simple words.. not too math savvy ^^

Answer & Explanation

Monserrat Ellison

Monserrat Ellison

Beginner2022-09-10Added 22 answers

The reason is that you forgot to use the inverse of 2 as well. So it should be
10 z 1 / 3 2 1 z 2
That's because in the original expression, you are dividing by 2 and also by z 2
In other words, ( 2 z 2 ) 1 can be written as 2 1 z 2 , but not as
ymochelows

ymochelows

Beginner2022-09-11Added 2 answers

The problem is the 2. What you should do is to take the whole denominator (the thing you divide with) to −1. Thus you should get
10 z 1 / 3 2 z 2 = 10 z 1 / 3 ( 2 z 2 ) 1 = 10 z 1 / 3 2 1 z 2 = 10 z 1 / 3 z 2 2

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