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8. Multiply and Divide Monomials
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Chapter 4
8. 

Multiply and Divide Monomials

In this lesson, the focus is on understanding how to multiply and divide monomials, particularly using the Product of Powers Property. The lesson uses practical examples to demonstrate these mathematical operations. For instance, it discusses a scenario where Ignacio, working in a restaurant, has to peel garlic and make noodles. The mathematical principles are applied to these real-world tasks, such as calculating the number of noodles made after folding and stretching the dough multiple times. The Product of Powers Property is emphasized as a crucial tool for simplifying these calculations. The lesson also touches on the Quotient of Powers Property for division tasks. Overall, it aims to make the subject matter relatable and easier to grasp by applying it to everyday situations.
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Multiply and Divide Monomials
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Monomials are fundamental for the development of mathematical expressions. They are also closely related to multiplication and exponentiation. This lesson will discuss the multiplication and division of monomials.

Catch-Up and Review

Here are a few recommended readings before getting started with this lesson.

Challenge

How Many Heads of Garlic?

Ignacio got a part-time job at a restaurant. His first task is to peel some garlic. Ms. Ley, the restaurant owner, tells him to peel all the heads of garlic in a crate.

Garlic Crate
The crate contains eight bags of garlic. Each bag has nine heads of garlic. How many heads of garlic does Ignacio have to peel?
Now suppose each crate has x^2y bags of garlic, and each bag has y^3 bulbs. Write an algebraic expression for the total number of heads of garlic in xz many crates.
Discussion

Product of Powers Property

The product of two powers with the same non-zero base a and integer exponents m and n can be written as a single power with base a and exponent m+n.


a^m * a^n = a^(m+n)

The Product of Powers Property is useful for multiplying monomials. x^2 * x^3 &= x^(2+3) ⇓ x^2 * x^3 &= x^5 If a monomial has more than one variable, the Associative Property of Multiplication and the Commutative Property of Multiplication can be used to simplify the multiplication.
x^2y^3 (xy^2)
CommutativePropMult

Commutative Property of Multiplication

x^2y^3 (y^2x)
AssociativePropMult

Associative Property of Multiplication

x^2 (y^3 y^2) x
MultPow

a^m*a^n=a^(m+n)

x^2 (y^5) (x)
CommutativePropMult

Commutative Property of Multiplication

x^2(x)(y^5)
MultPow

a^m*a^n=a^(m+n)

x^3 (y^5)
Multiply

Multiply

x^3y^5
Please note that the Product of Powers Property only applies to factors with the same base.
Example

Making Hand-Pulled Noodles

Ignacio is helping Ms. Ley make hand-pulled noodles.

A bowl of ramen that looks tasty, with chopsticks holding some noodles.
They need to make the dough and then fold and stretch it several times. Some flour is added between each step to prevent the noodles from sticking. The number of noodles will double each time the dough strip is folded. Ignacio folds and stretches the dough two times.
Noodle Stretching Animation
Ms. Ley walks in and tells Ignacio that the noodles are still way too thick, so he should fold and stretch the dough four more times. When he is finished, Ignacio removes the ends of the folds so the noodles are separated.
a Write a numeric expression that represents how many noodles Ignacio ends up making after following Ms. Ley's instructions. Write the answer as a power of 2.
b Evaluate the numeric expression from Part A to find how many noodles Ignacio made.

Hint
a Each time Ignacio folds the dough, he doubles the amount of noodles he is making.
b How do you find the power of a number?

Solution
a By folding and stretching the dough once, Ignacio gets two big and thick noodles. If he folds and stretches it again, he will now have double the previous amount. This means that he doubled the number of noodles two times. This can be expressed as a numeric expression.

2*2 = 2^2 Ms. Ley told Ignacio to fold and stretch the noodles four more times. 2* 2 * 2 * 2 = 2^4 Notice that the power corresponds to the number of times Ignacio has stretched and folded, or doubled, the noodles. Since the entire amount of noodles is being doubled each time the dough is folded, the two monomials are multiplied. 2^2 * 2^4 The Product of Powers Property can be used to add the powers. 2^2 * 2^4 = 2^6 This numeric expression represents that Ignacio folding and stretching the noodles six times.

b To find how many noodles Ignacio made, start with the numeric expression written in Part A.

2^6 Multiply 2 by itself six times to evaluate this numerical expression. 2^6 &= 2*2*2*2*2*2 &= 64 This means that Ignacio made 64 noodles by folding and stretching the dough six times.

Example

Great Job, Ignacio!

To encourage Ignacio to keep doing a great job, Ms. Ley gives him a bonus each time he gets a compliment from a customer.

Ignacio Getting a Compliment

This bonus is a small percent increase of his normal total wage for the day. Ignacio does not know how much this percentage is, so he thinks of it as x. This means that if he gets three compliments, his payment is multiplied by x three times. x* x* x = x^3 Ignacio gets two compliments from Table 1, four compliments from Table 2, and one compliment from Table 3. He writes an expression to show his compliment bonus for the day. x^2* x^4* x

a What is the degree of the monomial?
b Ms. Ley also gives Ignacio a different bonus for bussing a table in under two minutes. Ignacio thinks of this bonus as y. He managed clean Tables 1 and 3 within two minutes, so he includes this in his total bonus.
(x^2y)* x^4*(xy) What is the degree of the monomial for his total bonus for the day?

Hint
a How do you multiply monomials? Does it matter which table the compliment came from?
b Use the Associative Property of Multiplication and the Commutative Property of Multiplication.

Solution
a Ignacio got two compliments from Table 1, four compliments from Table 2, and one compliment from Table 3. Rewrite the product. Remember that when a variable has no visible exponent, the exponent is assumed to be 1.

x^2* x^4* x ⇓ x^2 * x^4 * x^1 Use the Product of Powers Property to multiply the monomials by adding the exponents. x^2 * x^4 * x^1 &= x^(2+4+1) &= x^7 This means that Ignacio will get a bonus of x^7. The degree of this monomial is 7. Notice that this is also the total number of compliments Ignacio got from all the tables. This is because the percentage bonus is applied each time he receives the a compliment.

b Ignacio was able to clean Tables 1 and 3 quickly enough to get the extra bonus. Sadly, it took longer to bus Table 2 and he missed getting the bonus for that table. At least he got four compliments from that table! Consider the revised expression showing the total bonus he has earned today.
(x^2y)* x^4*(xy) The total degree of the monomial is most easily found when the expression is written in simplest form. To multiply monomials using the Product of Powers Property, the monomials need to have the same base. Begin by using the Associative Property of Multiplication to group the terms. (x^2y)* x^4*(xy) =(x^2 * y * x^4) * xy Next, use the Commutative Property of Multiplication so the same variables are next to each other. In this case, use it to write x^4 next to x^2. This will show the application of the Product of Powers Property more clearly. ( x^2 * y * x^4) * (xy) &= ( x^2 * x^4 * y) * xy &= (x^6 * y) * xy Finish the simplification by combining the rest of the variables in a similar fashion.
(x^6 * y) * xy
AssociativePropMult

Associative Property of Multiplication

x^6 * ( y * x * y)
CommutativePropMult

Commutative Property of Multiplication

x^6 * (x * y * y)
ProdToPowTwoFac

a* a=a^2

x^6 * (x * y^2)
AssociativePropMult

Associative Property of Multiplication

(x^6 * x) * y^2
MultPow

a^m*a^n=a^(m+n)

x^7 * y^2
Multiply

Multiply

x^7y^2
Typically, monomials with multiple variables are not written with multiplication symbols. The degree of the monomial with several variables is the sum of the degrees of each variable. 7+2=9 This means the degree of the monomial is 9. This is also the total number of bonuses Ignacio got, no matter how he got them!
Pop Quiz

Multiplying Monomials

Multiply the given monomials. Write the degree of the resulting monomial.

Discussion

Quotient of Powers Property

The ratio of two powers with the same non-zero base a and integer exponents m and n can be written as a single power with base a and exponent m-n.


a^m/a^n=a^(m-n)

This property is particularly useful for the division of monomials.
Example

Be Careful with Customers

Everyone has bad days and today was no exception. In addition to the four compliments from the customers, Ignacio also got two complaints.

Ignacio Getting two Complaints

Unfortunately, Ms. Ley is very strict and told Ignacio that for each complaint she receives about him, she would cancel out one of the compliment bonuses he gets. This situation can be represented with the following division of monomials. x^4/x^2

a What is the degree of the monomial resulting from the above quotient?
b The same applies if Ignacio forgets to clean a table! Besides getting four compliments and two complaints, Ignacio quickly bussed three tables, but forgot to clean two. Forgetting to clean a table cancels out the bonus from quickly cleaning a table.
x^4y^3/x^2y^2 What is the degree of the monomial resulting from the above quotient?

Hint
a How do you divide monomials?
b Begin by splitting the quotient into a product of fractions. Use the Quotient of Powers Property.

Solution
a Ignacio got a total of four compliments and two complaints.

x^4/x^2 The Quotient of Powers Property can be used to divide the monomials because the bases are the same. Do this by subtracting the exponent of the denominator from the exponent of the numerator. x^4/x^2 &= x^(4-2) &= x^2 This means that Ignacio will only get the bonus from two compliments. Be more careful the next time, Ignacio!

b To find the degree of the quotient, begin by splitting the quotient into a product of two fractions. One factor will have the variable x and the other factor the variable y.

x^4y^3/x^2y^2 = x^4/x^2 * y^3/y^2 Next, use the Quotient of Powers Property for each division. x^4/x^2 * y^3/y^2 &= x^(4-2) * y^(3-2) &= x^2 * y^1 Any number raised to the power of 1 is equal to itself. x^2 * y^1 = x^2 * y Finally, multiply the monomials. x^2 * y = x^2y The degree of the resulting monomial is the sum of the exponents of its variable factors. 2+1=3 This means that the degree of the monomial is 3. Ignacio got a total of three bonuses. Not too bad, but Ignacio is determined to do better!

Pop Quiz

Dividing Monomials

Find the quotient of the given monomials. Write the degree of the resulting monomial.

Dividing Monomials Random Generator
Example

Making Dumplings

It is time to make dumplings! Ignacio wants to help Ms. Ley with the dough. He plans to roll it out and cut it into small squares.

Sliced Dough Sheets

The following monomial shows how many squares Ignacio will have after cutting the dough sheet into an x-by-x grid. x^2

a Evaluate the above monomial when x=4 to find how many dumplings can be made from the dough sheet.
b While Ms. Ley stuffs and folds the dumplings, Ignacio is going to make the sauce. The recipe is stored in a safe with a combination that changes depending on the date.
Safe Password m^3d^2
The following monomial represents the combination to the safe. m^3d^2 Today is March 10^(th). This corresponds to m=3 and d=10. Evaluate the monomial for the given values to find the combination to the safe.

Hint
a Substitute 4 for x and calculate the power.
b Substitute 3 for m and 10 for d, then calculate the powers. Multiply the resulting powers to find the total value of the monomial.

Solution
a Consider the given monomial.
x^2 Substitute 4 for x to evaluate the monomial.
x^2
Substitute

x= 4

4^2
CalcPow

Calculate power

16
This means that, by cutting the dough sheet in a 4-by-4 grid, Ignacio will be able to make 16 dumplings.
b This time the given monomial has two variables.
m^3d^2 Substitute 3 for m and 10 for d to evaluate the monomial. Then, simplify the expression by multiplying the resulting values of m^3 and d^2.
m^3d^2
SubstituteII

m= 3, d= 10

3^3 * 10^2
CalcPow

Calculate power

27* 100
Multiply

Multiply

2700
This means that today's combination is 2700. Now Ignacio can start working on the secret sauce!
Pop Quiz

Evaluating Monomials in One Variable

Evaluate the monomial for the given value of the variable.

Evaluating monomials in One Variable Random Generator
Pop Quiz

Evaluating Monomials in Two Variables

Evaluate the monomial for the given values of the variables.

Evaluating Monomials in two Variables Random Generator
Closure

Counting the Heads of Garlic

Ignacio was asked to peel all the heads of garlic in the crate.

Garlic Crate
There are a total of 8 bags of garlic, each containing 9 bulbs. Multiply the number of bags by the number of heads of garlic in each bag. 8* 9=72 This means that Ignacio has to peel 72 heads of garlic. The same reasoning can be applied to monomials. Each crate has x^2y bags of garlic and each bag has y^3 bulbs. Multiply these monomials to find the number of heads of garlic each crate. x^2y* y^3 = x^2y^4 There are xz many crates, so this monomial needs to be multiplied by xz.
x^2y^4 * xz
AssociativePropMult

Associative Property of Multiplication

x^2 * (y^4 * x) * z
CommutativePropMult

Commutative Property of Multiplication

x^2 * (x * y^4) * z
AssociativePropMult

Associative Property of Multiplication

(x^2 * x)* (y^4 * z)
MultPow

a^m*a^n=a^(m+n)

x^3 * y^4 * z
Multiply

Multiply

x^3y^4z
The total number of heads of garlic in all the crates is expressed by the monomial x^3y^4z.


Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Multiply and Divide Monomials
Exercise 2.1

Information is stored on electronic devices in the form of bytes. Because applications contain tons of information, this is measured in gigabytes rather than bytes. One gigabyte is equivalent to 2^(30) bytes. 1gigabyte =2^(30)bytes

How many bytes are there in 2 gigabytes?
How many bytes are there in 8 gigabytes?

We are told that 1 gigabyte is equivalent to 2^(30) bytes. Multiply this number by 2 to find how many bytes are in 2 gigabytes. 2^(30) * 2 All of the answer options are powers of 2, so let's write our answer the same way. We can use the Product of Powers Property to do this. First, recall that if no power is written on a number, the power is assumed to be 1. Let's can rewrite 2 as 2^1. 2^(30) * 2 = 2^(30) * 2^1 We can now apply the Product of Powers Property. 2^(30) * 2^1 &= 2^(30+ 1) &= 2^(31) We found that there are 2^(31) bytes in 2 gigabytes.


We can find how many bytes there are in 8 gigabytes in a similar fashion. We first need to write 8 as a power of 2. 8= 2^3 There are 2^(30) bytes in 1 gigabyte. Multiply this number by 8=2^3 to find how many bytes there are in 8 gigabytes. 2^(30) * 8 = 2^(30) * 2^3 We can now use the Product of Powers Property. 2^(30) * 2^3 &= 2^(30+ 3) &= 2^(33) This means that there are 2^(33) bytes in 8 gigabytes.

E
Hint & Answer
S
Solution

Information is stored on electronic devices in the form of bytes. Nowadays, applications contain tons of information, so it is measured in gigabytes rather than bytes. One gigabyte is equivalent to 2^(30) bytes. 1gigabyte =2^(30)bytes A long time ago, applications contained way less information, so they were often stored on devices known as floppy disks. A floppy disk can store up to 2^(21) bytes of information.

A floppy disk
How many 2^(21)-byte floppy disks would be needed to store one gigabyte of information?

We are asked to find how many floppy disks would be required to store one gigabyte of information. We know told that 1 gigabyte is equivalent to 2^(30) bytes. 1gigabyte =2^(30)bytes One floppy disk can hold up to 2^(21) bytes of information. We can divide 1 gigabyte by this amount to calculate how many increments of 2^(21) bytes are in 2^(30) bytes. 1gigabyte/2^(21)bytes = 2^(30)bytes/2^(21)bytes Next, let's use the Quotient of Powers Property to write the expression as a power of 2. 2^(30)/2^(21) &= 2^(30- 21) &= 2^9 We would need 2^9 floppy disks with 2^(21) bytes of memory to store just 1 gigabyte of information! In other words, we would need 512 floppy disks! We have much better storage devices these days that can hold many gigabytes worth of information, so floppy disks have now fallen out of use.

E
Hint & Answer
S
Solution

Divide the monomials.

x^6y^3/x^2y
p^7q^5/p^2q^4

Let's take a look at the given expression. x^6y^3/x^2y We can begin by writing the expression as a product of two divisions. One factor will have the variable x and the other factor the variable y. x^6y^3/x^2y = x^6/x^2 * y^3/y Remember that if no power is written on a variable, the power is assumed to be 1. x^6y^3/x^2y = x^6/x^2 * y^3/y^1 We can now use the Quotient of Powers Property to divide the resulting monomials. Do this by subtracting the power of the denominator from the power of the numerator.

Finally, finish by multiplying the monomials. x^6y^3/x^2y = x^4y^2


Let's take a look at the next expression. p^7q^5/p^2q^4 Let's follow the same steps we did in Part A. We will first write this expression as a product of two divisions. One factor will have the variable p and the other factor the variable q. p^7q^5/p^2q^4 = p^7/p^2 * q^5/q^4 We can now use the Quotient of Powers Property to divide each of the resulting monomials.

Recall that any number raised to the power of 1 is equal to itself. p^7q^5/p^2q^4 &= p^5 * q^1 &= p^5 * q Finally, multiply the monomials. p^7q^5/p^2q^4 = p^5q

E
Hint & Answer
S
Solution

Multiply and Divide Monomials

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