# Math Help - simplifing algebraic fractions

1. ## simplifing algebraic fractions

can anyone simplify this for me or possibly run me through how to simplify it?

4x + 2 / x² + 4x + 3 * x + 3 / 7x + 5

Thank you

2. Originally Posted by ajwatson88
[FONT='Times New Roman','serif']can anyone solve this for me or possibly run me through how to solve it? [/font]

[FONT='Times New Roman','serif']4x + 2 / x² + 4x + 3 * x + 3 / 7x + 5[/font]

[FONT='Times New Roman','serif']Thank you[/font]
Is this supposed to be
$\frac{4x + 2}{x^2 + 4x + 3} \cdot \frac{x + 3}{7x + 5}$?

Then the above is equal to:
$= \frac{2(2x + 1)}{(x + 1)(x + 3)} \cdot \frac{x + 3}{7x + 5}$

Notice the common x + 3 in the numerator and denominator. So....
$= \frac{2(2x + 1)}{x + 1} \cdot \frac{1}{7x + 5}$

$= \frac{2(2x + 1)}{(x + 1)(7x + 5)}$

-Dan

3. Originally Posted by ajwatson88
can anyone simplify this for me or possibly run me through how to simplify it?

4x + 2 / x² + 4x + 3 * x + 3 / 7x + 5

Thank you
hi,
please try to group your expressions.. thanks..

4. Originally Posted by kalagota
hi,
please try to group your expressions.. thanks..

Only if my guess was right. I really wish we could post a sticky about using parenthesis and that it would have even a little effect. But I doubt it would even be read. (sigh)

-Dan

5. ## another question

im not entily sure how to group the expressions but ill give it a go.

could anyone help me with this as well

3___ . 2x + 4
x + 2 x

thanks again

6. Originally Posted by ajwatson88
im not entily sure how to group the expressions but ill give it a go.

could anyone help me with this as well

3___ . 2x + 4
x + 2 x

thanks again
As with the last example, start by factoring:
$\frac{3}{x + 2} \cdot \frac{2x + 4}{x} = \frac{3}{x + 2} \cdot \frac{2(x + 2)}{x}$

As for how to write it, what we were referring to was writing your expressions something like this:
3/(x + 2) times (2x + 4)/x

as opposed to
3/x + 2 times 2x + 4/x
which is confusing.

-Dan