reducing algebraic fractions

[alaska33355]

Our problem is x +8, all over 2 in the denominator....divided by 3x +24, all over 5 in the denominator.
Can we reduce the 8 over the 2 to 4? Then we tried multiplying by the second fraction (it's hard to post fractions!). We should get an answer of 5/6 but haven't gotten that.

Thanks for any help!

 

[Denis]

Can we reduce the 8 over the 2 to 4?

NO!

HINT:
[(x + 8) / 2] / [(3x + 24) / 5]

= [(x + 8) / 2] * [5 / (3x + 24)]

= [(x + 8) / 2] * [5 / (3(x + 8))]

If that's not enough, you need classtoom help...

 

[alaska33355]

Thanks, Denis......we had gotten that far, but this is where we are stuck. Can this be reduced further?

 

[masters]

Thanks, Denis......we had gotten that far, but this is where we are stuck. Can this be reduced further?

Hi alaska33355,

\(\displaystyle \frac{x+8}{2} \div \frac{3x+24}{5}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{x+8}{2} \cdot \frac{5}{3(x+8)}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{5(x+8)}{6(x+8)}\)

The two (x + 8)s cancels out.

 

[mmm4444bot]

we had gotten that far, but this is where we are stuck

And the reason for not sharing this information up-front is?

(a) It was a secret

(b) It was too much to type

(c) We expect others to read our mind

(d) We don't read posts with titles like "Read Before Posting"



In the future, try to remember that the more specific you are about your situation, the better the responses you will get back.

 

[alaska33355]

Thanks......I get it now! I will try to be more specific....... :roll: