SOLUTION: Reduce expression to the lowest terms. -2x-8 _______ x^2+2x-8

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: Reduce expression to the lowest terms. -2x-8 _______ x^2+2x-8      Log On


   

Question 120823: Reduce expression to the lowest terms.
-2x-8
_______
x^2+2x-8
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

%28-2x-8%29%2F%28x%5E2%2B2x-8%29 Start with the given expression

%28-2%28x%2B4%29%29%2F%28x%5E2%2B2x-8%29 Factor -2x-8 to get -2%28x%2B4%29

%28-2%28x%2B4%29%29%2F%28%28x%2B4%29%28x-2%29%29 Factor x%5E2%2B2x-8 to get %28x%2B4%29%28x-2%29


-2cross%28%28x%2B4%29%29%2Fcross%28%28x%2B4%29%29%28x-2%29 Cancel like terms


-2%2F%28x-2%29 Simplify


--------------------------------------------------
Answer:

So %28-2x-8%29%2F%28x%5E2%2B2x-8%29 simplifies to -2%2F%28x-2%29 In other words %28-2x-8%29%2F%28x%5E2%2B2x-8%29=-2%2F%28x-2%29