document.write( "Question 65657: i am currently working on the carnegie learning disc. i have submitted parts of the problem twice and both times it tells me the answers were wrong, so here is the whole scenario:i have to completely simplify this rational expression but only one step at a time- this is what i came up with: (x-2)^2(x+7)/((x-2)(x+7)^2(x-8))...first step...simplify fractions,which = X-2/((x+7)(x-8)), second step: distribute in (x+7)(x-8),which= x-2/((x-8)*x+(x-8)*7...third step: factor,which equals x-2/((x-8)(x+7)). 4th step: distribute in (x-8)(x+7),which = x-2/x(x+7)-8(x+7). 5 th step: factor...which =x-2/((x+7)(x-8)).6th step: distribute in x-2/((x+7)(x-8)),which = x/((x+7)(x-8))(-2/((x+7))(x-8)). 7th step:simplify signs, which= x/((x+7)(x-8))-2/(x+7)(x-8)...then it keeps telling me to factor , but when i choose factor common factor, it wont let me do it. please check my steps and make sure i am doing them right. i have been stuck on this problem for 3 days. thanks so very much!! \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #46341 by funmath(2933) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!
I think you did everything right, however, if you don't put parentheses in the appropriate places, the computer won't know what you mean.
\n" ); document.write( " $\"%28x-2%29%5E2%28x%2B7%29%2F%28%28x-2%29%28x%2B7%29%5E2%28x-8%29%29\"$
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\n" ); document.write( " $\"%28x-2%29%2F%28%28x%2B7%29%28x-8%29%29\"$
\n" ); document.write( "Type this in this way:
\n" ); document.write( "(x-2)/((x+7)(x-8))
\n" ); document.write( "If that doesn't work, you may have to put a * to indicate multiplication like this:
\n" ); document.write( "(x-2)/((x+7)*(x-8))
\n" ); document.write( "A lot of programs and teachers consider this simplified, if yours still isn't happy multiply the bottom. Since you said it was saying to factor, I think you are probably already done, but if not:
\n" ); document.write( "(x-2)/(x^2-x-56)
\n" ); document.write( "There are a lot of ways to write the correct answer, the best thing to do is look at some examples from the disk to see what they want. You were separating the numerator, which is something that the books that I work out of don't do when asked to simplify, but you seemed to be doing it correctly. \n" ); document.write( "

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