SOLUTION: please help me express the following rational expressions in lowest terms. 1) y^2-y-12/y^2-9 2) 3x^2-6x-72/2x^2-8x-64 i am totally lost. any help would be great.

Question 166667: please help me express the following rational expressions in lowest terms.
1) y^2-y-12/y^2-9
2) 3x^2-6x-72/2x^2-8x-64

i am totally lost. any help would be great.
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The key to these type of problems is factoring.

# 1

Start with the given expression.

Factor to get .

Factor to get .

Highlight the common terms.

Cancel out the common terms.

Simplify.

So simplifies to .

In other words, where or

# 2

Start with the given expression.

Factor to get .

Factor to get .

Highlight the common terms.

Cancel out the common terms.

Simplify.

Distribute

So simplifies to .

In other words, where or

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