Intermediate Algebra Help (In College)

[HalesSienna]

I'm having a hard time understanding how to do these 3 problems.. They always get me stuck.

1.) Simplify : x^2 + 3x - 28 OVER (Or divided by) x^3 - 49x + x^2 + 5x - 36 OVER (Or divided by) x^3 + 9x^2
I tried to use the FOIL method on this problem but I ended up getting no where.


2.) Simplify : 2 OVER (Or divided by) x-5 - x - 3 OVER (Or divided by) x^2 - 4x - 5
FOIL METHOD?


3.) If T = S + S^2 OVER (Or divded by) P, Find T when S = 2/3 and P=2

 

[mmm4444bot]

I don't see a use for FOIL, in any of these exercises. When simplifying compound algebraic-ratios, we usually factor everything and look for cancellations.

As typed, exercise (1) does not simplify. Please check your typing. For example, the following expression simplifies, by combining like-terms.

x^3 - 49x + x^2 + 5x - 36

Is that what you intended to type ?

In exercise (2), you need to simplify the following expression first.

x - 5 - x - 3

Then, use the rule for a compound ratio:

A/B/C = (A/B)(1/C)

In exercise (3), the instruction "find T" means "evaluate T".

In other words, substitute the values given for S and P into the expression for T, and then do the arithmetic.

Let me know, if you need more help. I welcome specific questions.

 

[fmbeach]

You need to learn to write your expressions accurately, even f you don't have specialized software.
I'm guessing that the first expression in problem 1 is: (x^2 + 3x -28)/(x^3 - 49x)
If so, numerator and denominator can be factored and a common term eliminated. Do you know how to factor?