Question

which statement most accurately explains why x^5/x^2 is equal to x^3?

Answer 1

$\bf \cfrac{x^5}{x^2}\implies \cfrac{x^{3+2}}{x^2}\implies \cfrac{x^3\underline{x^2}}{\underline{x^2}}\implies x^3$

Answer 2

The answer you are looking for would be C.

When you divide varibles with exponents, you subtract the exponents. Since there are no numbers in front of the x, we can assume there is only 1 x. 1x/1x = 1x. Since the top has the largest exponent, you'd subtract the bottom exponent to the top, leaving a power of 3. Thus meaning, the answer of x^3 is explained in C.

I hope this helps!