# Simplifying Expressions: step by step help

• September 1st 2010, 11:22 AM
jenbones
Simplifying Expressions: step by step help
Okay so once again I get confused on the first step. I could really use a step by step answer on how to simplify this expression:

(4x^2 - 20x + 3) / (2x + 1) + (2x^2 - 25x - 27) / (4x + 2)
• September 1st 2010, 11:33 AM
HallsofIvy
You have $\frac{4x^2 - 20x + 3}{2x + 1} + \frac{2x^2 - 25x - 27}{4x + 2}$

Did you not notice that 4x+ 2= 2(2x+ 1)? That helps a lot doesn't it?
• September 1st 2010, 03:31 PM
jenbones
Quote:

Originally Posted by HallsofIvy
You have $\frac{4x^2 - 20x + 3}{2x + 1} + \frac{2x^2 - 25x - 27}{4x + 2}$

Did you not notice that 4x+ 2= 2(2x+ 1)? That helps a lot doesn't it?

could you show me step by step on how to simplify it?
• September 1st 2010, 04:02 PM
$\displaystyle\frac{4x^2-20x+3}{2x+1}+\frac{2x^2-25x-27}{4x+2}=\frac{2\left(4x^2-20x+3\right)}{2(2x+1)}+\frac{2x^2-25x-27}{2(2x+1)}$
$=\displaystyle\frac{8x^2-40x+6+2x^2-25x-27}{2(2x+1)}=\frac{10x^2-65x-21}{2(2x+1)}$