SOLUTION: Can someone help me simplify this rational expression? X-2/x^2-4 + 2/x+2 First I look for the lcd, then I build up the fractions and get: x-2/(x+2)(x-2) + 2x-4/(x-2)(x+2) and t

Question 607640: Can someone help me simplify this rational expression? X-2/x^2-4 + 2/x+2
First I look for the lcd, then I build up the fractions and get: x-2/(x+2)(x-2) + 2x-4/(x-2)(x+2) and the I am unclear what to do as the answe comes out to: 3/x+2 but I do not understand how they came up with that answer. Please help!
Answer by jsmallt9(3758) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Everything you've done so far is correct. The reason you found the LCD and changed the second fraction so it had the LCD for a denominator was so you could add the fractions. So that is the next step, add:

Now, as usual when you have a fraction for an answer, we reduce the fraction if possible. To reduce a fraction you cancel common factors in the numerator and denominator. To cancel common factors you have to have factors, first. The denominator is already/still factored. In the numerator we have a GCF of 3 we can factor out:

And lo and behold, we have a common factor of (x-2) we can cancel:

leaving:

which will not reduce further.
RELATED QUESTIONS
Can someone help me simplify this rational expression? X-2/x^2-4 + 2/x+2 First I look (answered by jim_thompson5910)

I have a rational expression that I need help with. The equation is this: 1+7/x-60/x^2=0 (answered by Alan3354)

Can someone help me with this problem please? Build each rational expression into an... (answered by stanbon)

Hello, I need some assistance with problems such as this. I can figure out the LCD but my (answered by checkley71)

Can someone please help me? I have been working on this for a while and yet to come up... (answered by dnanos)

Can someone help me with this question please: Simplify the complex rational expression... (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)

I need help with this rational expression please. I am supposed to find the LCD and... (answered by jsmallt9)

Please help me solve the rational equation: {{{ 2/(x+2) - (1/x) = -4/(x^2+2x) }}} I (answered by ikleyn)

If you could please help point me in the right direction!!! I need to solve this rational (answered by Mathtut,solver91311)