Question 124743: Please simplify this:
1/a-b + 4/b-a - 8/a+b - 11a-5b/b^2-a^2
I have no idea where to begin. Please help--Thanks.
Answer by stanbon(75887)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! Please simplify this:
1/a-b + 4/b-a - 8/a+b - 11a-5b/b^2-a^2
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1st Comment: Remember, the negative of b-a is a-b,and vice versa.
2nd Comment: Your 4th term is confusing and should include parentheses.
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Rewrite your problem as follows:
(1/(a-b) - (4/a-b) - (8/(a+b) -11a +(5b/(a^2-b^2)
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lcd = a^2-b^2
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(a+b)/lcd - (4(a+b)/lcd) - 8(a-b)/lcd -11a(a^2-b^2/lcd + 5b/lcd
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[-3(a+b)-8(a-b)-11a(a^2-b^2)+5b]/lcd
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[-11a+10b-11a^2-11b^2]/[a^2-b^2]
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Cheers,
Stan H.
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