# simplifying complex fractions

• January 24th 2010, 04:41 PM
jay1
simplifying complex fractions
Please assist in simplifying the following complex fraction (I cannot format correctly, but there is a bold line in between the following two expressions) b^2 + 5b + 6/ 3bc (bold line, and underneath:) b^2 - 9/6bc I'm coming up with -1, but this doesn't seem correct?
• January 24th 2010, 05:10 PM
skeeter
Quote:

Originally Posted by jay1
Please assist in simplifying the following complex fraction (I cannot format correctly, but there is a bold line in between the following two expressions) b^2 + 5b + 6/ 3bc (bold line, and underneath:) b^2 - 9/6bc I'm coming up with -1, but this doesn't seem correct?

remember how to divide fractions?

$\frac{b^2+5b+6}{3bc} \cdot \frac{6bc}{b^2-9}$

$\frac{(b+2)(b+3)}{3bc} \cdot \frac{6bc}{(b+3)(b-3)}$

finish
• January 24th 2010, 08:13 PM
jay1
Quote:

Originally Posted by skeeter
remember how to divide fractions?

$\frac{b^2+5b+6}{3bc} \cdot \frac{6bc}{b^2-9}$

$\frac{(b+2)(b+3)}{3bc} \cdot \frac{6bc}{(b+3)(b-3)}$

finish

Thanks..I think I have it: 2(b+2)/(b - 3) ?