SOLUTION: ALGEBRAIC FRACTIONS 6-a-a^2 division a^2-4 is = -3+a division a+2 This is how I worked it out: numerator :(-3-a)(-2+a) factored denominator : (a-2)(a+2) factored (

Click here to see ALL problems on Equations

Question 1199682: ALGEBRAIC FRACTIONS
6-a-a^2 division a^2-4 is = -3+a division a+2
This is how I worked it out:
numerator :(-3-a)(-2+a) factored
denominator : (a-2)(a+2) factored
(-3-a)(-2+a) division (a-2)(a+2)
(-2+a) is the same as (a-2) which would cancel with (a+2)
so what is left is :
(-3-a) division (a-2) , as you can see the terms are the same as the answer except the signs in front of them . Why are the signs different ? Does it have to do with when I cancelled (a-2) with (a+2) ?

Found 2 solutions by Alan3354, ikleyn:
Answer by Alan3354(69443)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
6-a-a^2 division a^2-4 is = -3+a division a+2
-----
(6-a-a^2)/(a^2-4) = (a-3)/(a+2)

-a-3 = a-3
a = 0

Answer by ikleyn(52790)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.
ALGEBRAIC FRACTIONS
6-a-a^2 division a^2-4 is = -3+a division a+2
This is how I worked it out:
numerator :(-3-a)(-2+a) factored
denominator : (a-2)(a+2) factored
(-3-a)(-2+a) division (a-2)(a+2)
(-2+a) is the same as (a-2) which would cancel with (a+2)
so what is left is :
(-3-a) division (a-2) , as you can see the terms are the same as the answer except the signs in front of them .
Why are the signs different ? Does it have to do with when I cancelled (a-2) with (a+2) ?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In your post, you write (in the 7-th line from the top)

        " (-2+a) is the same as (a-2) which would cancel with (a+2) ".

                        Surely, it is not so:
it is a rude mistake (actually, even TWO mistakes in one row)
that lead you to WRONG ANSWER.