Question 262099
I need help on how to Perform the Indicated Operation:
__X___ - ____3_____
x^2-16 _x^2+5x+4 
:
Assume the problem is
{{{x/((x^2-16))}}} - {{{3/((x^2+5x+4))}}}
:
Whenever you see these kind of problems, check to see what can be factored
The first denominator is the "difference of fractions", so you have
{{{x/((x-4)(x+4)))}}} - {{{3/((x+4)(x+1)))}}}
:
The common denominator would be (x-4)(x+4)(x+1) Note that (x+4) is in both denominators, so we only need have it in the common denominator once
:
{{{(x(x+1) - 3(x-4))/((x-4)(x+4)(x+1))}}} = {{{((x^2 + x - 3x + 12))/((x-4)(x+4)(x+1))}}} = {{{((x^2 - 2x + 12))/((x-4)(x+4)(x+1))}}}
The numerator will not factor, so that is about all we can do with it