Math question - Polynomials

[Thenior]

Hey guys and gals,

Have a quick math question.

I have this math problem:

| x^-2y | ^-2
|x^-3y^5|

Or if you prefer to have it written out correctly:

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((x^-2y)/(x-3y^5))^-2

Here is the conclusion I came to:

1) Distribute

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^-2

this would equal:

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x^4 y^-2 / x^6 y^-10

2) Flip negative exponents. This would equal:

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x^4 y^10 / x^6 y^2

3) Subtract denominator exponents from numerator. This would equal:

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y^8 / x^2

Is my logic sound? This was on some homework I have, and none of the text went over this specific type of problem.

[fliptw]

is it x^2-2y or x^(-2y)?

note: (x+1)^2 != x^2+1

[snoopy]

If your original equation is this:

math.JPG (2.04 KiB) Viewed 625 times

I think you did it correctly. Next time, use "*" signs and more parentheses to denote multiplication and what's being raised to what power, otherwise, your equation could read like this, which is a different beast:

math2.JPG (1.99 KiB) Viewed 625 times

[Thenior]

Sorry snoopy - thanks for the info and help!

[snoopy]

It's all good. When/if you get into using computer programs to solve stuff for you, you can get messed up. I'm usually really crazy about parenthesis in excel, just to make sure that it performs the correct operations on the correct items.

[Burlyman]

These are rational functions, not polynomials. Just sayin'. :P

[Top Gun]

Um...they're rational polynomials, chief.

[Foil]

Yep, they're simply rational polynomial expressions at this point.