Dividing Terms

Dividing algebraic terms in NSW Year 8 maths means writing the division as a fraction and cancelling what the top and bottom share (NESA outcome MA4‑ALG‑C‑01). For example, \(6ab \div 2a = 3b\), because \(6 \div 2 = 3\) and the \(a\) cancels.

You will simplify quotients with negative signs, powers and several pronumerals, such as \(16x^2y \div 4xy^2\), where the answer may stay as a fraction. You will work out a product on the top before cancelling and use the order of operations in mixed expressions. Finding the length of a rectangle from its area and its width is a division of terms. It is part of Year 8 Algebra.