2x+4
_____
5x^2+10x
Explain how to solve.
2006-12-30 16:28:11 · 3 answers · asked by jrrkidd 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
The numerator has a common factor of 2:
2(x + 2)
The denominator has a common factor of 5x:
5x(x + 2)
The (x + 2) factor is common to both, so it can be eliminated, leaving:
5/2x
2006-12-30 16:33:18 · answer #1 · answered by Jim Burnell 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Factor and cancel out common factors
First off, DO NOT cancel terms that are added togethre. You can only cancel terms that are multiplied together. This is a very common mistake. For example, you cannot cancel the 2 on top (in front of the x) with the 10 on the bottom (also in front of the x). This is why you must factor first:
(2(x+2)) / (5x(x + 2))
Now you may cancel off the common factor of (x + 2)..
2/(5x)
This is as far as you can go. You can't solve for x because there is no equal sign and nothing on the other side. You can only simplify, as shown here.
2006-12-31 00:32:40 · answer #2 · answered by Joni DaNerd 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
First: factor the numerator and denominator > find the least common factor:
[2(x + 2)]/[5x(x + 2)]
Sec: cancel "like" terms > cancel "x+2"
2/5x
2006-12-31 20:10:25 · answer #3 · answered by ♪♥Annie♥♪ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋