Simplifying expressions

[telvinni97]

2a^2+ak-k^2 x a^2+2ak-3k^2
2a^2-3ak+k^2 -a-k

They're both fractions, multiply and simplify. I'm not sure even how to begin. They don't seem like they can be factored, and I don't think they can be solved in any way I know. Help, please!

 

[tkhunny]

I'm looking and looking. I cannot quite understand what you have written. Follow a couple of conventions and give it another go.

1) Never use 'x' for multiplication.
2) Use parentheses liberally to show intent.
3) Try to use spacing to your advantage.

Examples:

Large multiplication and parentheses and spacing: (3a - 5)*(2b - 7)
Spacing and parentheses: (3x^2 - 5x + 3)/(2y^3 - 6y + 23)

 

[telvinni97]

(2a^2+ak-k^2) / (2a^2-3ak+k^2) multiplied by (a^2+2ak-3k^2) / (-a-k)

 

[lookagain]

2a^2+ak-k^2 x a^2+2ak-3k^2
2a^2-3ak+k^2 -a-k

They're both fractions, multiply and simplify. I'm not sure even how to begin.
> > They don't seem like they can be factored, < <

and I don't think they can be > > solved < <

\(\displaystyle You \ are \ not \ solving; \ there \ is \ no \ equation.\)

\(\displaystyle You \ are \ simplifying \ an \ expression.\)

in any way I know. Help, please!

I looked at the "raw text" from telvinni97 to determine what this is.

Here it is:

(For examples of factoring, go this link: http://www.algebrahelp.com/worksheets/v ... omial.quiz)


\(\displaystyle \bigg(\frac{2a^2 + ak - k^2}{2a^2 - 3ak + k^2} \bigg) \bigg(\frac{a^2 + 2ak - 3k^2}{-a - k}\bigg)\ = \\)


\(\displaystyle \bigg[\frac{(2a - k)(a + k)}{(2a - k)(a - k)} \bigg]\bigg[ \frac{(a + 3k)(a - k)}{-a - k} \bigg]\ =\\)


Cancel certain pairs of factors:


\(\displaystyle \bigg(\frac{a + k}{a - k}\bigg)\bigg( \frac{a + 3k}{-a - k}\bigg) \ =\\)

\(\displaystyle \bigg(\frac{a + k}{a - k}\bigg)\bigg( \frac{a + 3k}{-(a + k)}\bigg) \ =\\)

\(\displaystyle \bigg(\frac{1}{a - k}\bigg)\bigg( \frac{a + 3k}{-1}\bigg)\)


Please continue simplifying this...