Q. Simplify the following expression completely.x2−14x+40x2−12x+20Answer:
Identify Expression: Identify the expression to be simplified: (x2−12x+20)/(x2−14x+40).
Factor Numerator: Factor the numerator x2−12x+20. Look for two numbers that multiply to 20 and add up to −12. The numbers are −10 and −2.(x2−12x+20)=(x−10)(x−2).
Factor Denominator: Factor the denominator x2−14x+40. Look for two numbers that multiply to 40 and add up to −14. The numbers are −10 and −4.(x2−14x+40)=(x−10)(x−4).
Write Simplified Form: Write the simplified form of the expression using the factored numerator and denominator. (x−10)(x−4)(x−10)(x−2).
Cancel Common Factor: Cancel out the common factor (x−10) from the numerator and the denominator.The simplified expression is x−4x−2.
Check Restrictions: Check for any restrictions on the variable x. Since we divided by (x−10), x cannot be 10. Also, the denominator (x−4) means x cannot be 4.
More problems from Operations with rational exponents