SOLUTION: please show me how to do this. Simplify the rational expression: x2 – 3x – 10 x2 – x – 20

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Question 112199: please show me how to do this.
Simplify the rational expression:
x2 – 3x – 10
x2 – x – 20

Answer by jim_thompson5910(21685) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
%28x%5E2-3x-10%29%2F%28x%5E2-x-20%29 Start with the given expression


%28%28x-5%29%28x%2B2%29%29%2F%28x%5E2-x-20%29 Factor x%5E2-3x-10 to get %28x-5%29%28x%2B2%29 (note: if you need help with factoring, check out this solver)

%28%28x-5%29%28x%2B2%29%29%2F%28%28x-5%29%28x%2B4%29%29 Factor x%5E2-x-20 to get %28x-5%29%28x%2B4%29


%28cross%28%28x-5%29%29%28x%2B2%29%29%2F%28cross%28%28x-5%29%29%28x%2B4%29%29 Cancel like terms


%28x%2B2%29%2F%28x%2B4%29 Simplify


So %28x%5E2-3x-10%29%2F%28x%5E2-x-20%29 simplifies to %28x%2B2%29%2F%28x%2B4%29