Can you simplify this expression?

[wooopop]

Maths homework. How do I simplify this expression?



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.

[manavo11]

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.

[wooopop]

Ah, it all makes sense now! Thanks a lot, that was very clear and very helpful: I'll remember the process for my exam.

[manavo11]

No problem Good luck with your exam