maths help

SoSolid · 1 May 2006 at 20:10

i am really bad at these types of questions can someone please help me?

Simplify the following:

(x-2) + (x-4) + (2x+4)
(x^2 -4) (x+2) + (x-2)

Give the answer as an improper fraction. By the way that's all meant to be divided by the term underneath each one.

Locrian · 1 May 2006 at 20:15

For a start since everything on the top line is addition so group like terms together, then on the bottom realise that (X^2-4) is a perfect square. That makes it look much simpler

spirit · 1 May 2006 at 20:24

SoSolid said:
(x-2) + (x-4) + (2x+4)
(x^2 -4) (x+2) + (x-2)

remember that (x^2 - 4) = (x-2)(x+2)

simplify the top

good luck

Ricochet J · 1 May 2006 at 21:11

Locrian said:
For a start since everything on the top line is addition so group like terms together, then on the bottom realise that (X^2-4) is a perfect square. That makes it look much simpler

Difference of two squares it's called

(Not taking the mick, just saying

)

I would help, but not give the answer. If so, e-mail in trust

Squark · 1 May 2006 at 21:41

spirit said:
remember that (x^2 - 4) = (x-2)(x+2)

Is that really necessary?
cant you just mulitply out the brackets (x^2 -4) (x+2) as per normal? Then add the last one?

Dave · 1 May 2006 at 21:58

You could, but it's quicker if you factor out.

DB_SamX · 1 May 2006 at 23:22

Whatever happenned to the "no homework help" rule I see people trhrowing about?

Baron G · 2 May 2006 at 04:35

My God - I won prises for maths at school and did a heavily maths based degree. 10 years later and that means nothing to me. :eek: