SOLUTION: How do I combine: 3x/x-16 - 1/x-4 Thank you!

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Question 336186: How do I combine:
3x/x-16 - 1/x-4
Thank you!
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
%283x%29%2F%28x-16%29-1%2F%28x-4%29 Start with the given expression.


%283x%28x-4%29%29%2F%28%28x-16%29%28x-4%29%29-1%2F%28x-4%29 Multiply the first fraction by %28x-4%29%2F%28x-4%29


%283x%28x-4%29%29%2F%28%28x-16%29%28x-4%29%29-%281%28x-16%29%29%2F%28%28x-16%29%28x-4%29%29 Multiply the second fraction by %28x-16%29%2F%28x-16%29


%283x%5E2-12x%29%2F%28%28x-16%29%28x-4%29%29-%28x-16%29%2F%28%28x-16%29%28x-4%29%29 Distribute.


%28%283x%5E2-12x%29-%28x-16%29%29%2F%28%28x-16%29%28x-4%29%29 Combine the fractions (this is possible now that the denominators are equal).


%283x%5E2-12x-x%2B16%29%2F%28%28x-16%29%28x-4%29%29 Distribute.


%283x%5E2-13x%2B16%29%2F%28%28x-16%29%28x-4%29%29 Combine like terms.


%283x%5E2-13x%2B16%29%2F%28x%5E2-20x%2B64%29 FOIL


So %283x%29%2F%28x-16%29-1%2F%28x-4%29=%283x%5E2-13x%2B16%29%2F%28x%5E2-20x%2B64%29


If you need more help, email me at jim_thompson5910@hotmail.com

Also, feel free to check out my website.

Jim