SOLUTION: This problem is really giving me a tough time. Can someone please walk me throgh the steps so I can get a better understanding of this? Thank you! Essay: Show all work. Find the

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: This problem is really giving me a tough time. Can someone please walk me throgh the steps so I can get a better understanding of this? Thank you! Essay: Show all work. Find the      Log On


   

Question 673747: This problem is really giving me a tough time. Can someone please walk me throgh the steps so I can get a better understanding of this? Thank you!
Essay: Show all work. Find the quotient:
(49a^2-b^2)/(7a-b)
Found 3 solutions by ewatrrr, MathLover1, Alan3354:
Answer by ewatrrr(24785) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
 

Hi,

generally factoring done in the numerator or denominator(or both) is the way to simplify expressions

%2849a%5E2-b%5E2%29%2F%287a-b%29+=+%287a%2Bb%29%287a-b%29%2F%287a-b%29+=+7a%2Bb

Answer by MathLover1(20850) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

%2849a%5E2-b%5E2%29%2F%287a-b%29...write 49 as 7%5E2

%287%5E2a%5E2-b%5E2%29%2F%287a-b%29......now write 7%5E2a%5E2 as %287a%29%5E2

%28%287a%29%5E2-b%5E2%29%2F%287a-b%29.....now you have the difference of squares in nominator,us a%5E2-b%5E2=%28a-b%29%28a+%2B+b%29 rule and factor it

%28%287a-b%29%287a%2Bb%29%29%2F%287a-b%29...now reduce

%28cross%28%287a-b%29%29%287a%2Bb%29%29%2Fcross%28%287a-b%29%29

7a%2Bb.....the quotient

Answer by Alan3354(69443) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Find the quotient:
(49a^2-b^2)/(7a-b)
-------------
The numerator is a difference of 2 squares.
a%5E2+-+b%5E2+=+%28a-b%29%2A%28a%2Bb%29
%2849a%5E2-b%5E2%29%2F%287a-b%29+=+%287a+-+b%29%2A%287a+%2B+b%29%2F%287a+-+b%29
= 7a + b