document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=419636>Question 419636</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Simplify the rational expression\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "(x^2+2x-8) / (18 -7x -x^2) </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #293404 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=algebrahouse.com><B>algebrahouse.com(1659)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-12.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=algebrahouse.com><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=algebrahouse.com><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=293404\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> \"Simplify the rational expression<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(x^2+2x-8) / (18 -7x -x^2)\"\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "x^2 + 2x - 8<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-------------<BR>\n" );
document.write( "18 - 7x - x^2\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "x^2 + 2x - 8<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-------------- {switched bottom around}<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-x^2 - 7x + 18\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "x^2 + 2x - 8<BR>\n" );
document.write( "----------------<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-1(x^2 + 7x - 18 ){factored -1 out of bottom}\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "(x + 4)(x - 2)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "---------------- {factored top and bottom into two binomials}<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-1(x + 9)(x - 2)\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "-(x + 4)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-------- {cancelled x - 2 on top and bottom}<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(x + 9)\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "-x - 4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "------- {distributed negative sign}<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x + 9<BR>\n" );
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