how to simplify? (1 Viewer)

[_kuroo]

how to simplify? and why?

 

[nightweaver066]

Remove the brackets, the -x and x cancel.

Since 3/x^2, 2/x^2 and 5/x^2 have a common denominator, you can combine them, i.e. (3 + 2 - 5)/x^2 = 0

Now you're left with -1.

 

[_kuroo]

they're all actually fractions. i just put in the brackets hoping people would identify them as fractions. does change anything though?

Remove the brackets, the -x and x cancel.

Since 3/x^2, 2/x^2 and 5/x^2 have a common denominator, you can combine them, i.e. (3 + 2 - 5)/x^2 = 0

Now you're left with -1.

 

[Drongoski]

make x(x-1)(x+1) the common denominator.

Is your expression ?:

 

[_kuroo]

yuhps!

make x(x-1)(x+1) the common denominator.

Is your expression ?:

 

[Drongoski]

 

[_kuroo]

can you explain how you got x(x-1)(x+1)?

i'm not that good with factorising =/

 

[Drongoski]

The 3 denominators are:

- (x^2 -x) = x(x-1) = 2 factors

- (x^2+x) = x(x+1) = 2 factors

- (x^2-1) = (x-1)(x+1) = 2 factors

So the Least Common Multiple of the above 6 factors is x(x-1)(x+1) - i.e. this is the smallest common multiple of all the 3 denominators.

You have to make sure you have a good grasp of all the basic algebra of years 7, 8 9 & 10. From my experience with struggling students I'm familiar with the source of their difficulties.

 

[_kuroo]

yeah i never paid attention during those years. hahahaha