Dividing Monomials:
Division is the reverse of multiplication. When monomials are multiplied, exponents of like
bases are added. When monomials are divided, exponents of like bases are subtracted. When
monomials have coefficients other than 1, remember to divide the coefficients.
Recall that expression such as 5/5 and a/a equal 1. If you use the rule for dividing monomials,
you see that a/a = a; therefore, any base raised to the zero power equals one.
Examples: Divide
7
4
3
1.
a
/a
2.
b
/b
7–4
3
3–1
2
a
= a
b
= b
2
c 3
3.
2
c
2–2
0
3c
= 3c
= 3 ● 1 = 3
7
6
a
2
d
1.
2.
−
2
4
a
d
−
5
2
5
a
a
b
3.
4.
−
−
3
2
5
a
a
b
−
2
5
2
8
3
xy
z
x
y
z
5.
6.
−
−
−
3
3
3
2
3
x
y
z
x
y
z