u squared+2u-35 over 5u squared +20u - 105?

Question

reduce the following to lowest terms

Answer 1

u^2 +2u - 35 = (u+7)(u-5)
5u^2+20u-105 = (5u -15 ) (u +7 )
So the (u+7) cancels out leaving: (u-5) / (5u-15)

Answer 2

ok the top of the fraction can be reduced to (u-7)(u+5) by reversing the FOIL process (First, Outside, Inside, Last)

the bottom you can pull a 5 out to get (u squared +4u +7) which is technically in lowest terms, unless you need to get into the quadratic formula which is a long step, and hard to type on a computer

email me if you need more help :)

Answer 3

The numerator factors to (u+7)(u-5). The denominator factors to 5(u+7)(u-3). After you get done cancelling, you get (u-5) over 5(u-3). Hope this helps.