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

 
 

Go to Math Central