Can you simplify this expression?
Maths homework. How do I simplify this expression?
http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/9083/mathshg9.png
I've got as far as (x^2-9)/(x(2x+6) but I'm not sure whether this is simpler than the original.
I've also tried an expression simplifier on the web which gave me this:
(x-3)/2/x
I don't know if this is right and how they achieved this answer.
Thanks.
Re: Can you simplify this expression?
X2 - 9 can be written as X2 - 32. Which is the same as (X - 3)*(X + 3).
So now you have (X - 3)*(X + 3)/2X2+6X
The denominator is 2X2+6X. Which is the same as 2X*(X+3).
So now you have : (X - 3)*(X + 3)/2X*(X+3). And the (X+3) can go and you end up with (X-3)/2X.
Re: Can you simplify this expression?
Ah, it all makes sense now! Thanks a lot, that was very clear and very helpful: I'll remember the process for my exam.
:D
Re: Can you simplify this expression?
No problem :) Good luck with your exam :thumb: