Algebra Examples

$\frac{x^{- 4} + y^{- 4}}{x^{- 3} + y^{- 3}}$

Step 1

Simplify the numerator.

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Step 1.1

Rewrite the expression using the negative exponent rule $b^{- n} = \frac{1}{b^{n}}$ .

$\frac{\frac{1}{x^{4}} + y^{- 4}}{x^{- 3} + y^{- 3}}$

Step 1.2

Rewrite the expression using the negative exponent rule $b^{- n} = \frac{1}{b^{n}}$ .

$\frac{\frac{1}{x^{4}} + \frac{1}{y^{4}}}{x^{- 3} + y^{- 3}}$

Step 1.3

To write $\frac{1}{x^{4}}$ as a fraction with a common denominator, multiply by $\frac{y^{4}}{y^{4}}$ .

$\frac{\frac{1}{x^{4}} \cdot \frac{y^{4}}{y^{4}} + \frac{1}{y^{4}}}{x^{- 3} + y^{- 3}}$

Step 1.4

To write $\frac{1}{y^{4}}$ as a fraction with a common denominator, multiply by $\frac{x^{4}}{x^{4}}$ .

$\frac{\frac{1}{x^{4}} \cdot \frac{y^{4}}{y^{4}} + \frac{1}{y^{4}} \cdot \frac{x^{4}}{x^{4}}}{x^{- 3} + y^{- 3}}$

Step 1.5

Write each expression with a common denominator of $x^{4} y^{4}$ , by multiplying each by an appropriate factor of $1$ .

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Step 1.5.1

Multiply $\frac{1}{x^{4}}$ by $\frac{y^{4}}{y^{4}}$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}} + \frac{1}{y^{4}} \cdot \frac{x^{4}}{x^{4}}}{x^{- 3} + y^{- 3}}$

Step 1.5.2

Multiply $\frac{1}{y^{4}}$ by $\frac{x^{4}}{x^{4}}$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}} + \frac{x^{4}}{y^{4} x^{4}}}{x^{- 3} + y^{- 3}}$

Step 1.5.3

Reorder the factors of $y^{4} x^{4}$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}} + \frac{x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{x^{- 3} + y^{- 3}}$

Step 1.6

Combine the numerators over the common denominator.

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{x^{- 3} + y^{- 3}}$

Step 2

Simplify the denominator.

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Step 2.1

Rewrite $x^{- 3}$ as ${(x^{- 1})}^{3}$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{{(x^{- 1})}^{3} + y^{- 3}}$

Step 2.2

Rewrite $y^{- 3}$ as ${(y^{- 1})}^{3}$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{{(x^{- 1})}^{3} + {(y^{- 1})}^{3}}$

Step 2.3

Since both terms are perfect cubes, factor using the sum of cubes formula, $a^{3} + b^{3} = (a + b) (a^{2} - a b + b^{2})$ where $a = x^{- 1}$ and $b = y^{- 1}$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{(x^{- 1} + y^{- 1}) ({(x^{- 1})}^{2} - x^{- 1} y^{- 1} + {(y^{- 1})}^{2})}$

Step 2.4

Simplify.

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Step 2.4.1

Rewrite the expression using the negative exponent rule $b^{- n} = \frac{1}{b^{n}}$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{(\frac{1}{x} + y^{- 1}) ({(x^{- 1})}^{2} - x^{- 1} y^{- 1} + {(y^{- 1})}^{2})}$

Step 2.4.2

Rewrite the expression using the negative exponent rule $b^{- n} = \frac{1}{b^{n}}$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{(\frac{1}{x} + \frac{1}{y}) ({(x^{- 1})}^{2} - x^{- 1} y^{- 1} + {(y^{- 1})}^{2})}$

Step 2.4.3

To write $\frac{1}{x}$ as a fraction with a common denominator, multiply by $\frac{y}{y}$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{(\frac{1}{x} \cdot \frac{y}{y} + \frac{1}{y}) ({(x^{- 1})}^{2} - x^{- 1} y^{- 1} + {(y^{- 1})}^{2})}$

Step 2.4.4

To write $\frac{1}{y}$ as a fraction with a common denominator, multiply by $\frac{x}{x}$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{(\frac{1}{x} \cdot \frac{y}{y} + \frac{1}{y} \cdot \frac{x}{x}) ({(x^{- 1})}^{2} - x^{- 1} y^{- 1} + {(y^{- 1})}^{2})}$

Step 2.4.5

Write each expression with a common denominator of $x y$ , by multiplying each by an appropriate factor of $1$ .

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Step 2.4.5.1

Multiply $\frac{1}{x}$ by $\frac{y}{y}$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{(\frac{y}{x y} + \frac{1}{y} \cdot \frac{x}{x}) ({(x^{- 1})}^{2} - x^{- 1} y^{- 1} + {(y^{- 1})}^{2})}$

Step 2.4.5.2

Multiply $\frac{1}{y}$ by $\frac{x}{x}$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{(\frac{y}{x y} + \frac{x}{y x}) ({(x^{- 1})}^{2} - x^{- 1} y^{- 1} + {(y^{- 1})}^{2})}$

Step 2.4.5.3

Reorder the factors of $y x$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{(\frac{y}{x y} + \frac{x}{x y}) ({(x^{- 1})}^{2} - x^{- 1} y^{- 1} + {(y^{- 1})}^{2})}$

Step 2.4.6

Combine the numerators over the common denominator.

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{y + x}{x y} ({(x^{- 1})}^{2} - x^{- 1} y^{- 1} + {(y^{- 1})}^{2})}$

Step 2.4.7

Multiply the exponents in ${(x^{- 1})}^{2}$ .

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Step 2.4.7.1

Apply the power rule and multiply exponents, ${(a^{m})}^{n} = a^{m n}$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{y + x}{x y} (x^{- 1 \cdot 2} - x^{- 1} y^{- 1} + {(y^{- 1})}^{2})}$

Step 2.4.7.2

Multiply $- 1$ by $2$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{y + x}{x y} (x^{- 2} - x^{- 1} y^{- 1} + {(y^{- 1})}^{2})}$

Step 2.4.8

Rewrite the expression using the negative exponent rule $b^{- n} = \frac{1}{b^{n}}$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{y + x}{x y} (\frac{1}{x^{2}} - x^{- 1} y^{- 1} + {(y^{- 1})}^{2})}$

Step 2.4.9

Rewrite the expression using the negative exponent rule $b^{- n} = \frac{1}{b^{n}}$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{y + x}{x y} (\frac{1}{x^{2}} - \frac{1}{x} y^{- 1} + {(y^{- 1})}^{2})}$

Step 2.4.10

Rewrite the expression using the negative exponent rule $b^{- n} = \frac{1}{b^{n}}$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{y + x}{x y} (\frac{1}{x^{2}} - \frac{1}{x} \cdot \frac{1}{y} + {(y^{- 1})}^{2})}$

Step 2.4.11

Multiply $\frac{1}{y}$ by $\frac{1}{x}$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{y + x}{x y} (\frac{1}{x^{2}} - \frac{1}{y x} + {(y^{- 1})}^{2})}$

Step 2.4.12

Multiply the exponents in ${(y^{- 1})}^{2}$ .

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Step 2.4.12.1

Apply the power rule and multiply exponents, ${(a^{m})}^{n} = a^{m n}$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{y + x}{x y} (\frac{1}{x^{2}} - \frac{1}{y x} + y^{- 1 \cdot 2})}$

Step 2.4.12.2

Multiply $- 1$ by $2$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{y + x}{x y} (\frac{1}{x^{2}} - \frac{1}{y x} + y^{- 2})}$

Step 2.4.13

Rewrite the expression using the negative exponent rule $b^{- n} = \frac{1}{b^{n}}$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{y + x}{x y} (\frac{1}{x^{2}} - \frac{1}{y x} + \frac{1}{y^{2}})}$

Step 2.4.14

To write $\frac{1}{x^{2}}$ as a fraction with a common denominator, multiply by $\frac{y}{y}$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{y + x}{x y} (\frac{1}{x^{2}} \cdot \frac{y}{y} - \frac{1}{y x} + \frac{1}{y^{2}})}$

Step 2.4.15

To write $- \frac{1}{y x}$ as a fraction with a common denominator, multiply by $\frac{x}{x}$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{y + x}{x y} (\frac{1}{x^{2}} \cdot \frac{y}{y} - \frac{1}{y x} \cdot \frac{x}{x} + \frac{1}{y^{2}})}$

Step 2.4.16

Write each expression with a common denominator of $y x^{2}$ , by multiplying each by an appropriate factor of $1$ .

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Step 2.4.16.1

Multiply $\frac{1}{x^{2}}$ by $\frac{y}{y}$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{y + x}{x y} (\frac{y}{x^{2} y} - \frac{1}{y x} \cdot \frac{x}{x} + \frac{1}{y^{2}})}$

Step 2.4.16.2

Multiply $\frac{1}{y x}$ by $\frac{x}{x}$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{y + x}{x y} (\frac{y}{x^{2} y} - \frac{x}{y x \cdot x} + \frac{1}{y^{2}})}$

Step 2.4.16.3

Raise $x$ to the power of $1$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{y + x}{x y} (\frac{y}{x^{2} y} - \frac{x}{y (x^{1} x)} + \frac{1}{y^{2}})}$

Step 2.4.16.4

Raise $x$ to the power of $1$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{y + x}{x y} (\frac{y}{x^{2} y} - \frac{x}{y (x^{1} x^{1})} + \frac{1}{y^{2}})}$

Step 2.4.16.5

Use the power rule $a^{m} a^{n} = a^{m + n}$ to combine exponents.

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{y + x}{x y} (\frac{y}{x^{2} y} - \frac{x}{y x^{1 + 1}} + \frac{1}{y^{2}})}$

Step 2.4.16.6

Add $1$ and $1$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{y + x}{x y} (\frac{y}{x^{2} y} - \frac{x}{y x^{2}} + \frac{1}{y^{2}})}$

Step 2.4.16.7

Reorder the factors of $y x^{2}$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{y + x}{x y} (\frac{y}{x^{2} y} - \frac{x}{x^{2} y} + \frac{1}{y^{2}})}$

Step 2.4.17

Combine the numerators over the common denominator.

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{y + x}{x y} (\frac{y - x}{x^{2} y} + \frac{1}{y^{2}})}$

Step 2.4.18

To write $\frac{y - x}{x^{2} y}$ as a fraction with a common denominator, multiply by $\frac{y}{y}$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{y + x}{x y} (\frac{y - x}{x^{2} y} \cdot \frac{y}{y} + \frac{1}{y^{2}})}$

Step 2.4.19

To write $\frac{1}{y^{2}}$ as a fraction with a common denominator, multiply by $\frac{x^{2}}{x^{2}}$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{y + x}{x y} (\frac{y - x}{x^{2} y} \cdot \frac{y}{y} + \frac{1}{y^{2}} \cdot \frac{x^{2}}{x^{2}})}$

Step 2.4.20

Write each expression with a common denominator of $x^{2} y^{2}$ , by multiplying each by an appropriate factor of $1$ .

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Step 2.4.20.1

Multiply $\frac{y - x}{x^{2} y}$ by $\frac{y}{y}$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{y + x}{x y} (\frac{(y - x) y}{x^{2} y \cdot y} + \frac{1}{y^{2}} \cdot \frac{x^{2}}{x^{2}})}$

Step 2.4.20.2

Raise $y$ to the power of $1$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{y + x}{x y} (\frac{(y - x) y}{x^{2} (y^{1} y)} + \frac{1}{y^{2}} \cdot \frac{x^{2}}{x^{2}})}$

Step 2.4.20.3

Raise $y$ to the power of $1$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{y + x}{x y} (\frac{(y - x) y}{x^{2} (y^{1} y^{1})} + \frac{1}{y^{2}} \cdot \frac{x^{2}}{x^{2}})}$

Step 2.4.20.4

Use the power rule $a^{m} a^{n} = a^{m + n}$ to combine exponents.

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{y + x}{x y} (\frac{(y - x) y}{x^{2} y^{1 + 1}} + \frac{1}{y^{2}} \cdot \frac{x^{2}}{x^{2}})}$

Step 2.4.20.5

Add $1$ and $1$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{y + x}{x y} (\frac{(y - x) y}{x^{2} y^{2}} + \frac{1}{y^{2}} \cdot \frac{x^{2}}{x^{2}})}$

Step 2.4.20.6

Multiply $\frac{1}{y^{2}}$ by $\frac{x^{2}}{x^{2}}$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{y + x}{x y} (\frac{(y - x) y}{x^{2} y^{2}} + \frac{x^{2}}{y^{2} x^{2}})}$

Step 2.4.20.7

Reorder the factors of $y^{2} x^{2}$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{y + x}{x y} (\frac{(y - x) y}{x^{2} y^{2}} + \frac{x^{2}}{x^{2} y^{2}})}$

Step 2.4.21

Combine the numerators over the common denominator.

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{y + x}{x y} \cdot \frac{(y - x) y + x^{2}}{x^{2} y^{2}}}$

Step 2.4.22

Rewrite $\frac{(y - x) y + x^{2}}{x^{2} y^{2}}$ in a factored form.

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Step 2.4.22.1

Apply the distributive property.

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{y + x}{x y} \cdot \frac{y \cdot y - x y + x^{2}}{x^{2} y^{2}}}$

Step 2.4.22.2

Multiply $y$ by $y$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{y + x}{x y} \cdot \frac{y^{2} - x y + x^{2}}{x^{2} y^{2}}}$

Step 3

Multiply $\frac{y + x}{x y}$ by $\frac{y^{2} - x y + x^{2}}{x^{2} y^{2}}$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{(y + x) (y^{2} - x y + x^{2})}{x y (x^{2} y^{2})}}$

Step 4

Simplify the denominator.

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Step 4.1

Raise $x$ to the power of $1$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{(y + x) (y^{2} - x y + x^{2})}{x^{2} x^{1} y \cdot y^{2}}}$

Step 4.2

Use the power rule $a^{m} a^{n} = a^{m + n}$ to combine exponents.

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{(y + x) (y^{2} - x y + x^{2})}{x^{2 + 1} y \cdot y^{2}}}$

Step 4.3

Add $2$ and $1$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{(y + x) (y^{2} - x y + x^{2})}{x^{3} y \cdot y^{2}}}$

Step 4.4

Multiply $y$ by $y^{2}$ by adding the exponents.

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Step 4.4.1

Move $y^{2}$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{(y + x) (y^{2} - x y + x^{2})}{x^{3} (y^{2} y)}}$

Step 4.4.2

Multiply $y^{2}$ by $y$ .

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Step 4.4.2.1

Raise $y$ to the power of $1$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{(y + x) (y^{2} - x y + x^{2})}{x^{3} (y^{2} y^{1})}}$

Step 4.4.2.2

Use the power rule $a^{m} a^{n} = a^{m + n}$ to combine exponents.

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{(y + x) (y^{2} - x y + x^{2})}{x^{3} y^{2 + 1}}}$

Step 4.4.3

Add $2$ and $1$ .

$\frac{\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}}}{\frac{(y + x) (y^{2} - x y + x^{2})}{x^{3} y^{3}}}$

Step 5

Multiply the numerator by the reciprocal of the denominator.

$\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{4} y^{4}} \cdot \frac{x^{3} y^{3}}{(y + x) (y^{2} - x y + x^{2})}$

Step 6

Cancel the common factor of $x^{3} y^{3}$ .

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Step 6.1

Factor $x^{3} y^{3}$ out of $x^{4} y^{4}$ .

$\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{3} y^{3} (x y)} \cdot \frac{x^{3} y^{3}}{(y + x) (y^{2} - x y + x^{2})}$

Step 6.2

Cancel the common factor.

$\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x^{3} y^{3} (x y)} \cdot \frac{x^{3} y^{3}}{(y + x) (y^{2} - x y + x^{2})}$

Step 6.3

Rewrite the expression.

$\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x y} \cdot \frac{1}{(y + x) (y^{2} - x y + x^{2})}$

Step 7

Multiply $\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x y}$ by $\frac{1}{(y + x) (y^{2} - x y + x^{2})}$ .

$\frac{y^{4} + x^{4}}{x y (y + x) (y^{2} - x y + x^{2})}$