document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=247085>Question 247085</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> <BR>\n" );
document.write( "I am confused on how to simplify this fraction.  The text book says the answer is not 2x-8, which is what I would have come up with.  It says, \"choose the value of X to show that this answer is not true.\"   I am confused.  The problem is:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "2X^2-32/x-4\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Thanks, Lynda (attempting to teach my son algebra) </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #180311 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=nerdybill><B>nerdybill(7384)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=nerdybill><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=nerdybill><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=180311\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> <BR>\n" );
document.write( "2X^2-32/x-4 <BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Factoring a 2 from the numerator:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "[2(X^2-16)]/x-4 <BR>\n" );
document.write( "[2(X+4)(X-4)]/x-4 <BR>\n" );
document.write( "Canceling x-4:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2(X+4)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2X+8<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "This will NOT be true if X=4 -- notice the denominator goes to zero making it undefined.<BR>\n" );
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