Expert: Steve Holleran - 2/28/2008

Question
This is one equation the "_________" is suppose to be the division sign.

1) Simplify:

m(squared)-4m-21           m-2
_________________   times  ____
(3m - 6)(m+3)              m-7

I know you're suppose to factor out these problems and after you do all the factoring. I ended up with "m+3" I know this
                                          ____
                                            3
isn't the final answer and i'm confused as to what i should do next.

Thanks in Advance!

Answer
Hello,

Well, it sounds like you've done the steps correctly.

Compare yours to this:

       m^2 - 4m - 21       m - 2
      ---------------  *  -------
      (3m - 6)(m + 3)      m - 7

=     (m - 7)(m + 3)        m - 2
     ---------------  *   -------
     3(m - 2)(m + 3)       m - 7

Then the m-7, m - 2, and m + 3 all cancel out, and you're left with

          1
         ---
          3        and this is the answer.


Steve