SOLUTION: Is this problem supposed to be reduced down {{{(5x+10)/(6x^2+24x+30)}}},,, Does that reduce to {{{(5x+1)/(6x^2+24x+3)}}}

Algebra ->  Rational-functions -> SOLUTION: Is this problem supposed to be reduced down {{{(5x+10)/(6x^2+24x+30)}}},,, Does that reduce to {{{(5x+1)/(6x^2+24x+3)}}}      Log On


   

Question 271470: Is this problem supposed to be reduced down
%285x%2B10%29%2F%286x%5E2%2B24x%2B30%29,,, Does that reduce to %285x%2B1%29%2F%286x%5E2%2B24x%2B3%29
Answer by Edwin McCravy(20060) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

No it doesn't!

Here's what you did, and it's a no-no!


           3

You cannot cancel something that is ADDED in the numerator
into anything in the denominator, and you cannot cancel
anything in the denominator that is ADDED into anything 
in the numerator.  The only time you can cancel something
in the numerator into something in the denominator is 
when they are only MULTIPLIED

You might try factoring the numerator and denominator first:

%285x%2B10%29%2F%286x%5E2%2B24x%2B30%29

Take 5 out of the numerator, and 6 
out of the denominator:

%285%28x%2B2%29%29%2F%286%28x%5E2%2B4x%2B5%29%29

But what's in the parentheses will not factor.  That's
as far as you can go.

Edwin