SOLUTION: I need help on how to Perform the Indicated Operation: __X___ - ____3_____ x^2-16 _x^2+5x+4 These are 2 different fractions. The first denominator is the x^2-16 an

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Question 262099: I need help on how to Perform the Indicated Operation:
__X___ - ____3_____
x^2-16 _x^2+5x+4
These are 2 different fractions. The first denominator is the x^2-16 and the second denominator under the 3 should be x^2+5x+4. Thank you so much for you help! If you can write it out to where I can understand how you got the conclusion, because I have more questions like this and I want to be able to do them on my own.
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
I need help on how to Perform the Indicated Operation:
__X___ - ____3_____
x^2-16 _x^2+5x+4
:
Assume the problem is
x%2F%28%28x%5E2-16%29%29 - 3%2F%28%28x%5E2%2B5x%2B4%29%29
:
Whenever you see these kind of problems, check to see what can be factored
The first denominator is the "difference of fractions", so you have
x%2F%28%28x-4%29%28x%2B4%29%29%29 - 3%2F%28%28x%2B4%29%28x%2B1%29%29%29
:
The common denominator would be (x-4)(x+4)(x+1) Note that (x+4) is in both denominators, so we only need have it in the common denominator once
:
%28x%28x%2B1%29+-+3%28x-4%29%29%2F%28%28x-4%29%28x%2B4%29%28x%2B1%29%29 = %28%28x%5E2+%2B+x+-+3x+%2B+12%29%29%2F%28%28x-4%29%28x%2B4%29%28x%2B1%29%29 = %28%28x%5E2+-+2x+%2B+12%29%29%2F%28%28x-4%29%28x%2B4%29%28x%2B1%29%29
The numerator will not factor, so that is about all we can do with it