Miissing -x?

[hrivera2]

Problem:

If x>2, then x2 - x - 6/x2- 4

The answer is supposed to be

x-3/x+2

x2 should cancel out x2 leaving -x-6/-4

I don't know how to solve it from here. I've tried 3 different ways and am not coming up with the right answer.

 

[pka]

If x>2, then x2 - x - 6/x2- 4
The answer is supposed to be
x-3/x+2
x2 should cancel out x2 leaving -x-6/-4
I don't know how to solve it from here. I've tried 3 different ways and am not coming up with the right answer./QUOTE]
I am not sure of what the problem actually is, BUT:
\(\displaystyle \dfrac{{{x^2} - x - 6}}{{{x^2} - 4}} = \dfrac{{\left( {x - 3} \right)\left( {x + 2} \right)}}{{\left( {x - 2} \right)\left( {x + 2} \right)}}\)

 

[stapel]

If x>2, then x2 - x - 6/x2- 4

Is the above really the exact text of the exercise? Because, if so, then the exercise statement makes no sense, especially within the context of the "answer". :shock:

x2 should cancel out x2 leaving -x-6/-4

If you think that you can reach inside those polynomials and rip off the x-squareds, then you should definitely read the discussion of this practice which occurs about halfway down this page.

It's very sad....

 

[hrivera2]

Is the above really the exact text of the exercise? Because, if so, then the exercise statement makes no sense, especially within the context of the "answer". :shock:


If you think that you can reach inside those polynomials and rip off the x-squareds, then you should definitely read the discussion of this practice which occurs about halfway down this page.

It's very sad....

Stapel: What is very sad?

That I am trying to learn about something I don't know?

"If I think that I can reach inside those polynomials and rip off the x-squareds,...."

Seriously? That statement is not an answer...it is an insult!

Denis: "If that is what you think then you need classroom help?"

Really?

I cannot believe that the first time I post on a math website, I am completely insulted by TWO people!!!

BTW.... Neither of you mentioned the FOIL method!

Neither of you were a bit of help, and apparently are FULL of yourselves!!!

It's people like YOU that make other people hate MATH and give them MORE problems than they need.

You two should NOT be helping other people if you just plan on insulting them!

 

[hrivera2]

Thank you :_)

If x>2, then x2 - x - 6/x2- 4
The answer is supposed to be
x-3/x+2
x2 should cancel out x2 leaving -x-6/-4
I don't know how to solve it from here. I've tried 3 different ways and am not coming up with the right answer./QUOTE]
I am not sure of what the problem actually is, BUT:
\(\displaystyle \dfrac{{{x^2} - x - 6}}{{{x^2} - 4}} = \dfrac{{\left( {x - 3} \right)\left( {x + 2} \right)}}{{\left( {x - 2} \right)\left( {x + 2} \right)}}\)

Thank you for being nice

 

[stapel]

...definitely read the discussion of this practice which occurs about halfway down this page. It's very sad....

Stapel: What is very sad?

The discussion of cancellation techniques (at the link I gave you) is humorously "sad". Sorry.

Neither of you mentioned the FOIL method!

Since a shorthand method for multiplying binomials was irrelevant to the factorization and (appropriate) cancellation concepts involved (as demonstrated by "pka"), yes, I chose to stay on-topic. Sorry.

...an insult! ...you...apparently are FULL of yourselves!!! It's people like YOU that make other people hate.... You...should NOT be helping...!

Um... thank you...? :shock: