SOLUTION: Please help me with rational expressions. ( (x^2 + x - 6) / (x^2 - x + 12) ) / ( (x^2 + x - 20) / (x^2 - 4x + 4) )

Algebra ->  Algebra  -> Expressions-with-variables -> SOLUTION: Please help me with rational expressions. ( (x^2 + x - 6) / (x^2 - x + 12) ) / ( (x^2 + x - 20) / (x^2 - 4x + 4) )      Log On

Ad: Algebra Solved!™: algebra software solves algebra homework problems with step-by-step help!
Ad: Algebrator™ solves your algebra problems and provides step-by-step explanations!

   

Question 240635: Please help me with rational expressions.
( (x^2 + x - 6) / (x^2 - x + 12) ) / ( (x^2 + x - 20) / (x^2 - 4x + 4) )
Answer by rapaljer(4551) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
%28+%28x%5E2+%2B+x+-+6%29+%2F+%28x%5E2+-+x+%2B+12%29+%29+%2F+%28+%28x%5E2+%2B+x+-+20%29+%2F+%28x%5E2+-+4x+%2B+4%29+%29

Invert the denominator and multiply:
%28+%28x%5E2+%2B+x+-+6%29+%2F+%28x%5E2+-+x+%2B+12%29+%29+%2A+%28+%28x%5E2+-4x+%2B4%29+%2F+%28x%5E2+%2Bx-20%29+%29

Now, FACTOR, FACTOR, FACTOR:
+%28%28x%2B3%29%28x-2%29%29%2F%28x%5E2-x%2B12%29*%28%28x-2%29%5E2%29%2F%28%28x%2B5%29%28x-4%29%29+%29

Strangely enough, the first denominator does NOT factor (are you sure you didn't copy this wrong???), and no factors divide out. The final answer here is really UGLY, and I doubt if it is correct.
%28%28x%2B3%29%2A%28x-2%29%5E3%29%2F%28%28x%5E2-x%2B12%29%2A%28x%2B5%29%2A%28x-4%29%29

Dr. Robert J. Rapalje, Retired
Seminole State College of Florida
Altamonte Springs Campus