rational expressions #1
- Thread starter mathymath
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i need help with both these questions, i dont know how i can simplify 10 b or how to get the trinomal from c into a binomal...
for b) i just took a guess and thought this is how you would simplify (3t)(6) / 2t over (t^2)(t+1)/t^2 + 6
When you are writing fractions, make sure to extend the fraction bars over the entire denominators.
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Problem c)
For the first fraction, you can factor out one x so that your first fraction looks like:
\(\displaystyle \dfrac{2x}{x(x^2 + x - 6)}\)
Reduce it to:
\(\displaystyle \dfrac{2}{x^2 + x - 6}\)
Now factor that new denominator, just as correctly as you factored the denominator in the second fraction.
For b, take it in steps
i need help with both these questions, i dont know how i can simplify 10 b or how to get the trinomal from c into a binomal...
for b) i just took a guess and thought this is how you would simplify (3t)(6) / 2t over (t^2)(t+1)/t^2 + 6
\(\displaystyle \dfrac{3}{2} + \dfrac{3}{t} = what?\)
\(\displaystyle \dfrac{t}{t + 6} - \dfrac{1}{t} = what?\)
Now you have a fraction divided by a fraction so what do you do in that situation?
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- Feb 4, 2004
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Well, I'll grant you, yes, it "goes so much quicker" when all you have to do is copy. However, your various recent threads suggest that, despite much experience with copying, this process hasn't help your comprehension. :sad:
this is where i am with both of the questions, i got d) wrong and im not sure if i did b) correct so far, what should i do next. this takes so much time; where are the people that show you the steps and explains it; goes so much quicker
To learn how to simplify "complex fractions" of this sort, you can review loads of worked examples online, such as here. For this particular exercise, 10b, you might want to start showing all of your steps, as this might help you notice where you're making mistakes. For instance, you appear to think that the t/(t + 6) - 1/t, when combined, has a numerator of t^2 - t - 5. But how? Where did the "5" come from? Also, how did you get that [t/(t + 6)]*[t/t] = [t*t]/[t(t + 6)] ended up with a denominator of t^2 + 6? Where did the other t go?
