Reduce the following fraction to simplest terms.
x^2-49 / 7-x
2007-07-12 09:43:33 · 8 answers · asked by whatever ya want 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
I don't have an algebra book!! I have never had gotten a math book at our school. They don't have enough and so they didn't give out any at all!!
2007-07-12 09:53:32 · update #1
The answer is (-x - 7)
First, you need to factor the top half of the fraction. You will get:
[(x+7)(x-7)] / (7-x)
Now, cancel out the (x-7) and the (7-x). They simplify into -1. Now, you're left with -1(x + 7), which is equivalent to (-x - 7).
Hope that helped.
2007-07-12 09:46:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
On the top, you will notice you have a perfect square x^2 minus a perfect square 49 or 7^2.
Polynomials of this form can be changed into:
(x+7)(x-7)
You will notice that we now have an (x-7) on the top and a (7-x) on the bottom.
These two are almost equal; in fact one is just the other multiplied by negative 1.
So, (x-7)/(7-x) equal -1.
Leaving us with (x+7)*-1
Or: -x-7
2007-07-12 16:50:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
-(x+7) is your answer....
x^2-49 can be factored into (x-7)(x+7) so... the x-7 cancels and your left with -(x+7)
2007-07-12 16:53:14 · answer #3 · answered by hatishbee 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
x^2-49/7-s = -1(7-x)(x+7)/(7-x)
Cancel the (7-x) and you get -(x+7) or -7-x
2007-07-12 16:49:05 · answer #4 · answered by andrek 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It gets easier once you find that
x^2 - 49 = (x+7)(x-7) = -(7+x)(7-x)
Now, solve
-(7+x)(7-x)/(7-x)
2007-07-12 16:47:13 · answer #5 · answered by Raymond 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
(x^2 - 49) / (7 - x)
factor
{(x - 7) (x + 7) } / (7 - x)
factor out -1
{-1 (7 - x) (x + 7) } / (7 - x)
simplify
-1(x + 7)
distriubte
-x - 7
2007-07-12 16:48:52 · answer #6 · answered by 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try factoring the numerator. Hint: the answer is in your algebra book.
2007-07-12 16:49:51 · answer #7 · answered by Rocket Scientist X 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
(x+7)(x-7)/-(x-7) = -(x+7) = -7 - x.
2007-07-12 16:47:05 · answer #8 · answered by John V 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋