Verified answer

Well...the letters are actually called "variables" and represent a number you do not know.

It helps to remember that if you do not see an exponent on a variable, it is "1". Also, any variable to the power 0 is 1.

If you have the same variable top and bottom, you can leave the variable on the top but change the exponent on it to the difference (top minus the bottom). Bottom is dropped. If the larger exponent is on the bottom, you can leave the variable on the bottom, but change its exponent to the difference (bottom minus the top.) Top is dropped.

Give it a try:

(x^2)y / (xy) equals (x^2)(y^1) / (x^1)(y^1) leave the x on top (bigger exponent and subtract, bottom is dropped)

(x)(y) / (y) the y's cancel => answer is x.

They will all be like that, but be extra careful doing the steps the first few times until you have it mastered.