Quandaries
and Queries
Multiply:
x+2 x²-4
----- x -------
x-2 x²+x-2
Hi,
Before you multiply you should see if you can simplify the expressions. In the second fraction both the numerator and denominator can be factored.
x2 - 4 = (x - 2)(x + 2)
x2 + x - 2 = (x + 2)(x - 1)
Thus the second fraction can be simplified to
(x - 2)/(x - 1)
Hence the problem becomes, multiply
(x + 2)/(x - 2)
(x - 2)/(x - 1)
The two (x - 2) factors cancel and leave
(x + 2)/(x - 1)
Harley