SOLUTION: Subtract and express in simplest form 3 - 1 --------- --------- x^2+4x+3 x^2-9 3-1 = 2 x^2 and x^2 cancel each other out leaving me with 4x+3 and

Algebra ->  Algebra  -> Equations -> SOLUTION: Subtract and express in simplest form 3 - 1 --------- --------- x^2+4x+3 x^2-9 3-1 = 2 x^2 and x^2 cancel each other out leaving me with 4x+3 and       Log On

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Question 65486: Subtract and express in simplest form
3 - 1
--------- ---------
x^2+4x+3 x^2-9
3-1 = 2
x^2 and x^2 cancel each other out leaving me with 4x+3 and -9
4x + 3 = 7x
Giving me the problem of:
2
---
7x
Is this the right way of doing it and the right answer?

Answer by stanbon(48535) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Subtract and express in simplest form
3 - 1
--------- ---------
x^2+4x+3 x^2-9
-----------------
Factor the denominators as follows:
[3/(x+3)(x+1)]-[1/(x-3)(x+3)]
You can't do the subtraction till you get the same
denominator on the two fractions.
--------
The least common denominator is (x+1)(x+3)(x-3)
---------------
Re-write each fraction with the lcd as its denominator, as follows:
=[3(x-3)/lcd]-[(x+1)/lcd]
-----------
Now you can perform the subraction as follows:
=[3x-9-x-1]/lcd
=[2x-10]/[(x+1)(x+3)(x-3)]
------------
That's as far as you can go with this messy problem.
Cheers,
Stan H.