Okay I have two math questions that I need a little help with for school tomorrow.
The instructions state to Solve the following expressions:
2x^2+x-3
------------
4x^2-9
AND
21+11x+2x^2
------------------
3x^2-25x+18
^2 denotes squared
----- Over(or the devision line of a fraction)
2007-09-25 12:46:57 · 4 answers · asked by Lord Phoenix 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
These are not equations that you solve but expressions that you simplify. The key is to factor top and bottom, if possible, then cancel common factors.
2x² + x - 3
-------------- =
4x² - 9
(2x + 3)(x - 1)
------------------ =
(2x + 3)(2x - 3)
x - 1
--------
2x - 3
but in the 2nd expression, 2x² + 11x + 21 doesn't factor, so no simplifying is possible.
2007-09-25 12:57:03 · answer #1 · answered by Philo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whenever you have a fraction, you should factor out the top and bottom separately and then see what cancels out (is in both the top and the bottom of the fraction)
2x²+x-3=(2x+3)(x-1)
4x²-9=(2x+3)(2x-3)
So the 2x+3 cancels out so your answer is
x-1 over 2x-3
The second does not factor out easily, so unless it is set equal to something, ir probably does not simplify.
2007-09-25 19:53:04 · answer #2 · answered by Patty C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You mean simplify them? Try to factor out the top and bottom expressions, and cancel out what you can.
2007-09-25 19:59:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do the equal something? Are you solving for x? Do you just want to simplify them?
2007-09-25 19:51:40 · answer #4 · answered by Mαtt 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋