SOLUTION: Everytime I try to solve this problem, nothing comes out the same and I can't seem to figure out where my mistake is to determine if any of my solutions are correct. Can someone pl

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: Everytime I try to solve this problem, nothing comes out the same and I can't seem to figure out where my mistake is to determine if any of my solutions are correct. Can someone pl      Log On


   

Question 102786This question is from textbook Intermediate Algebra
: Everytime I try to solve this problem, nothing comes out the same and I can't seem to figure out where my mistake is to determine if any of my solutions are correct. Can someone please show me the correct way to solve this problem?
. Divide:
x2 – 3x + 2 / x2 – 1
7x – 14 / 7x + 7
NOTE: there should be a line between the upper and lower terms on each side of the division symbol. This question is from textbook Intermediate Algebra

Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Every time I try to solve this problem, nothing comes out the same and I can't seem to figure out where my mistake is to determine if any of my solutions are correct. Can someone please show me the correct way to solve this problem?
. Divide:
Assume you mean
%28x%5E2-3x%2B2%29%2F%28x%5E2-1%29
------------
%287x-14%29%2F%287x%2B7%29
:
Let's do the numerator fraction and the denominator fraction separately:
:
Simplify the numerator fraction:
%28x%5E2-3x+%2B+2%29%2F%28x%5E2-1%29
:
Note that you can factor both denominator and numerator to:
%28%28x-2%29%28x-1%29%29%2F%28%28x%2B1%29%28x-1%29%29
:
Note that the (x-1)'s will cancel leaving you with:
%28%28x-2%29%29%2F%28%28x%2B1%29%29
:
:
Simplify the denominator fraction
%287x-14%29%2F%287x%2B7%29
:
Note that you can factor out the 7's
%287%28x-2%29%29%2F%287%28x%2B1%29%29
:
7's cancel, leaving you with:
%28x-2%29%2F%28x%2B1%29
:
Put it all back together and you have:
%28%28x-2%29%29%2F%28%28x%2B1%29%29
---------
%28x-2%29%2F%28x%2B1%29
:
Remember you invert the dividing fraction and multiply:
%28%28x-2%29%29%2F%28%28x%2B1%29%29 * %28%28x%2B1%29%29%2F%28%28x-2%29%29 = 1
:
Note that everything cancels
:
Did this help?