Thread: function help

I am really bad at this and need help to simplify the following:

(1/2x+8)-(3x/(x+4)^2)+(1/2)

Use BODMAS, expand the brackets first.

It's starting to come back (I haven't taken math in years and I'm taking a course to upgrade right now), but I am a visual learner so what would help me the most is to actually see the steps then I get a better idea

Originally Posted by Halderz

(1/2x+8)-(3x/(x+4)^2)+(1/2)

Hmmm...it's a bit "messy"; are you sure you wrote it down correctly?
Could the (1/2x+8) be 1/(2x+8) instead?

You're right, it is. My mistake.

So, is this the exact way the problem is:

Code:

   1         3x      1
~~~~~~ - ~~~~~~~~~ + ~
2x + 8   (x + 4)^2   2

If so, then above then can be re-written this way:

Code:

    1            3x         1
~~~~~~~~ - ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ + ~
2(x + 4)   (x + 4)(x + 4)   2

Do you follow that?

I suggest you google "simplifying" as next step: you'll get plenty of helpful sites
with the process fully explained; come back if you have more questions.

Thanks. That helped.