Simplifying A Rational Expression

[trjenkins30]

Greetings all!

I am having a problem. I get confused when it comes to this. Here is the problem:
2x^2-12x+18/2x^2-18.

The first think i did was look for the common factors in both the numerator and denominator, which is 2x^2 so I cancelled them out. The problem then left me with

-12x+18/18. This does not seem right to me.

Could anyone offer me any assistance?

Thanks

 

[Denis]

2x^2-12x+18/2x^2-18.
The first think i did was look for the common factors in both the numerator and denominator,
which is 2x^2 so I cancelled them out.

Huh?
To start, you need BRACKETS: (2x^2 - 12x + 18) / (2x^2 - 18)

Sorry, but the fact that you think 2x^2 is a common factor means you're not ready for this;
are you learning on your own?

Common factor is 2: 2(x^2 - 6x + 9) / (2(x^2 - 9)); cancel out the 2's:
(x^2 - 6x + 9) / (x^2 - 9)

Next, you can factor the numerator and the denominator, then do more cancelling out;
but how to do that requires classroom help...