SOLUTION: can you explain to me how to do this problem please. simplify the rational expression. x^2 - 3x - 10 ___________ __ x^2 - x - 20 thank you julie

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: can you explain to me how to do this problem please. simplify the rational expression. x^2 - 3x - 10 ___________ __ x^2 - x - 20 thank you julie      Log On


   

Question 117912: can you explain to me how to do this problem please.
simplify the rational expression.
x^2 - 3x - 10
______________
x^2 - x - 20
thank you
julie
Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Simplify:
%28x%5E2-3x-10%29%2F%28x%5E2-x-20%29
First, see if the trinomials in the numerator and the denominator are factorable.
Numerator:
x%5E2-3x-10+=+%28x%2B2%29%28x-5%29
Denominator:
x%5E2-x-20+=+%28x%2B4%29%28x-5%29
So now you can rewrite the original problem using the factors of the trinomials:
%28%28x%2B2%29%2Across%28%28x-5%29%29%29%2F%28%28x%2B4%29%2Across%28%28x-5%29%29%29 Cancel the factors as shown leaving you with:
%28x%2B2%29%2F%28x%2B4%29