1. ## Simplification

Hi,

I'd like to know if you can tell me if I have gotten the following simplification correct.

Thanks!

(2/1 + 3/4) ÷ (2/1 - 3/8) =
5/5 ÷ 1/9 =
5/5 ÷ 9/1 =
45/5 = 9/1

2. Originally Posted by YamahaR62002
Hi,

I'd like to know if you can tell me if I have gotten the following simplification correct.

Thanks!

(2/1 + 3/4) ÷ (2/1 - 3/8) =
5/5 ÷ 1/9 =
5/5 ÷ 9/1 =
45/5 = 9/1
first, note that $\frac{2}{1} + \frac{3}{4} \ne \frac{5}{5}$ and $\frac{2}{1} - \frac{3}{8} \ne \frac{1}{9}$

in both cases you need a common denominator ...

$\frac{8}{4} + \frac{3}{4} = \frac{8+3}{4} = \frac{11}{4}$

$\frac{16}{8} - \frac{3}{8} = \frac{16-3}{8} = \frac{13}{8}$

now do the division.

3. By the way, is there a math editor tool that I can use?

4. Just want to know where you got the

8/4 at the beginning - How did you get the 8?

5. Originally Posted by YamahaR62002
Just want to know where you got the

8/4 at the beginning - How did you get the 8?
$\frac{2}{1} = \frac{8}{4}$

6. In fact, the simplest way to do that problem is to multiply both numerator and denominator by the least common denominator of the fractions: 8.
$\frac{\left(2+ \frac{3}{4}\right)8}{\left(2- \frac{3}{8}\right)8}$