SOLUTION: How do I reduce this to simplest terms? 7m/2m+14 . 3m+21/9m I tried dividing by m in the first part of the equation and wasn

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Question 215108: How do I reduce this to simplest terms? 7m/2m+14 . 3m+21/9m

I tried dividing by m in the first part of the equation and wasn't sure if i should use the m as the greatest common factor like m(7) over m( 2+14) is that right at all? I did the same thing on the other part of the equation dividing by 3m getting 3m(1+21) over 3m(3). Can you tell me if I am on the right track, and how to correctly solve this equation?
Found 2 solutions by jim_thompson5910, stanbon:
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
%28%287m%29%2F%282m%2B14%29%29%28%283m%2B21%29%2F%289m%29%29 Start with the given expression.


%28%287m%29%2F%282%28m%2B7%29%29%29%28%283m%2B21%29%2F%289m%29%29 Factor 2m%2B14 to get 2%28m%2B7%29


%28%287m%29%2F%282%28m%2B7%29%29%29%28%283%28m%2B7%29%29%2F%289m%29%29 Factor 3m%2B21 to get 3%28m%2B7%29


%28%287m%29%2F%282%28m%2B7%29%29%29%28%283%28m%2B7%29%29%2F%283%2A3m%29%29 Factor 9m to get 3%2A3m


%287%2A3m%28m%2B7%29%29%2F%282%2A3%2A3m%28m%2B7%29%29 Combine the fractions.


Highlight the common terms.


Cancel out the common terms.


7%2F%282%2A3%29 Simplify


7%2F6 Multiply


So %28%287m%29%2F%282m%2B14%29%29%28%283m%2B21%29%2F%289m%29%29 simplifies to 7%2F6


In other words, %28%287m%29%2F%282m%2B14%29%29%28%283m%2B21%29%2F%289m%29%29=7%2F6


Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
How do I reduce this to simplest terms? 7m/2m+14 . 3m+21/9m
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General Rule: To reduce a fraction you must find one or more FACTORS
that are common to the numerator and the denominator.
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Your Problems:
7m/2m+14
You need to factor the denominator to get:
7m/(2(m+7))
---
There is no factor common to the numerator and the denominator
so you cannot reduce the fraction.
===========================================
3m+21/9m
You need to factor the numerator to get:
(3(m+7))/9m
A factor that is common to the numerator and denominator is "3".
Cancel the 3 that is common to get
= (m+7)/3m
That is as far as you can go.
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Cheers,
Stan H.