Thread: Confused on how a complex polynomial fractions are simplified in sample problems

I am taking an intermediate algebra course and am stumped on one topic. We are doing complex polynomial fractions and I can figure out how they are simplifying one type of problem. Here is an example:

7 14
___ - ____ 7x² -14x 7x
x x² ___________________ ____________
_________________________ I keep coming up with but am told the answer is simplified to
4 16 4x² -16 4(x+2)
____ - ____
x x³


Please help me understand how this is being simplified. THANKS!!!!

erg. it formatted that weirdly.
7x*squared* - 14x
________________
4x*squared* -1

is being reduced to:

7x
______
4(x+2)

Originally Posted by melbell

erg. it formatted that weirdly.
7x*squared* - 14x
________________
4x*squared* -1

is being reduced to:

7x
______
4(x+2)

Factorise the top and bottom, then cancel any common factors between them.



There are not any common factors, so either you have copied the question down wrong, or your book's answer is wrong.

Hello, melbell!

Multiply by

. . . . . . . . . .