SOLUTION: can you express the following rational expression in lowest term 3x^2 - 6x - 72/2x^2 - 8x - 64

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Question 173387: can you express the following rational expression in lowest term
3x^2 - 6x - 72/2x^2 - 8x - 64
Found 2 solutions by Mathtut, jim_thompson5910:
Answer by Mathtut(3670) About Me  (Show Source):
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

%283x%5E2-6x-72%29%2F%282x%5E2-8x-64%29 Start with the given expression.


%283%28x%2B4%29%28x-6%29%29%2F%282x%5E2-8x-64%29 Factor 3x%5E2-6x-72 to get 3%28x%2B4%29%28x-6%29.


%283%28x%2B4%29%28x-6%29%29%2F%282%28x%2B4%29%28x-8%29%29 Factor 2x%5E2-8x-64 to get 2%28x%2B4%29%28x-8%29.


Highlight the common terms.


%283%2Across%28%28x%2B4%29%29%28x-6%29%29%2F%282%2Across%28%28x%2B4%29%29%28x-8%29%29 Cancel out the common terms.


%283%28x-6%29%29%2F%282%28x-8%29%29 Simplify.


%283x-18%29%2F%282x-16%29 Distribute


So %283x%5E2-6x-72%29%2F%282x%5E2-8x-64%29 simplifies to %283x-18%29%2F%282x-16%29.