SOLUTION: How would you write this rational expression in lowest terms? 2a^2-5a/16a-40

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Question 125873: How would you write this rational expression in lowest terms?
2a^2-5a/16a-40
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

%282a%5E2-5a%29%2F%2816a-40%29 Start with the given expression

%28a%282a-5%29%29%2F%2816a-40%29 Factor 2a%5E2-5a to get a%282a-5%29

%28a%282a-5%29%29%2F%288%282a-5%29%29 Factor 16a-40 to get 8%282a-5%29


%28a%2Across%282a-5%29%29%2F%288cross%282a-5%29%29 Cancel like terms



a%2F8 Simplify


So %282a%5E2-5a%29%2F%2816a-40%29 simplifies to a%2F8


In other words, %282a%5E2-5a%29%2F%2816a-40%29=a%2F8