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Thread: simplify rational expression

  1. March 21st 2010, 07:19 PM #1
    needhelpplease1
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    Exclamation simplify rational expression

    Please help, I have a test tomorrow. Simplify: 2x^3 + x^2 / 6x^3 - 3x^2 - 3x The "/" means divide them...

    Could you please show the steps? The answer is supposed to be x/3(x + 1) but I have no idea how to get that.
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  2. March 21st 2010, 07:35 PM #2
    Stroodle
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    \frac{2x^3+x^2}{6x^3-3x^2-3x}=\frac{x^2(2x+1)}{(2x+1)(3x^2-3x)}

    Can you take it from there?

    The answer you gave is wrong by the way
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  3. March 21st 2010, 07:46 PM #3
    needhelpplease1
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    Quote Originally Posted by Stroodle View Post
    \frac{2x^3+x^2}{6x^3-3x^2-3x}=\frac{x^2(2x+1)}{(2x+1)(3x^2-3x)}

    Can you take it from there?

    The answer you gave is wrong by the way
    Um, so would it become \frac{x^2}{3x^2 - 3x}? Then... how would you factor the denominator?

    Btw you are a LIFESAVER thank you so much!
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  4. March 21st 2010, 07:50 PM #4
    Stroodle
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    No probs

    \frac{x^2}{3x^2-3x}=\frac{x\times x}{3x(x-1)}=\frac{x}{3(x-1)}
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