SOLUTION: How do I divide? Do I cancell out first? fraction 1: 12-4x/x^2-1 divided by fraction 2: 9-x^2/x^2+4x+3

Algebra ->  Distributive-associative-commutative-properties -> SOLUTION: How do I divide? Do I cancell out first? fraction 1: 12-4x/x^2-1 divided by fraction 2: 9-x^2/x^2+4x+3       Log On


   

Question 171488: How do I divide? Do I cancell out first?
fraction 1: 12-4x/x^2-1
divided by
fraction 2: 9-x^2/x^2+4x+3
Answer by monika_p(71) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Fraction %2812-4x%29%2F%28x%5E2-1%29 write as

Fraction %289-x%5E2%29%2F%28x%5E2%2B4x%2B3%29 write as
%28%28-1%29%28x%5E2-9%29%29%2F%28%28+x%2B3%29%28x%2B1%29%29 =
%28%28-1%29%28x%2B3%29%28x-3%29%29%2F%28%28x%2B3%29%28x%2B1%29%29= %28%28-1%29%28x-3%29%29%2F%28x%2B1%29
to divide 2 fractions means multiply first by inverse of the second:
%28%28-4%29%28x-3%29%29%2F%28%28x-1%29%28x%2B1%29%29 * %28x%2B1%29%2F%28%28-1%29%28x-3%29%29 = %28%28-4%29%28x-3%29%28x%2B1%29%29%2F%28%28x-1%29%28x%2B1%29%28-1%29%28x-3%29%29 = 4%2F%28x-1%29