SOLUTION: How do you simplify x^3 - x^2 - 12x ----------- --- x^3 - 9x

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: How do you simplify x^3 - x^2 - 12x ----------- --- x^3 - 9x      Log On


   

Question 305120: How do you simplify
x^3 - x^2 - 12x
---------------
x^3 - 9x
Answer by dabanfield(803) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
How do you simplify
x^3 - x^2 - 12x
---------------
x^3 - 9x

Let's do the numerator first:
x^3 - x^2 - 12x = x*(x^2 - x -12) =
x*(x-4)*(x+3)
Now the denominator:
x^3 - 9x = x*(x^2 - 9) =
x*(x+3)*(x-3)
Putting these together we have:
(x*(x-4)*(x+3))/(x*(x+3)*(x-3)) =
(x-4)/(x-3)