Quandaries
and Queries
Name: Stef
Status:
Who is asking: Student
Level: Middle
Question:
3x squared - 27 / x + 3
Hi Stef,
I assume that this is a fraction with 3x2 - 27 in the numerator and x + 3 in the denominator. The numerator has a common factor of 3 so it can be factored as
3x2 - 27 = 3(x2 - 9)
But is a difference of squares so the numerator can be factored further to give
3x2 - 27 = 3(x2 - 9) = 3(x - 3)(x + 3)
Now place the factored numerator over the denominator and simplify.
Penny