Expert: Bobby Soltani - 6/2/2005

Question
  3x - 9   *  x^2 - 2x - 8
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   x + 5   *  x^2 - x - 6

Answer
Hi Jeffery,

First we need to factor the terms so that we can cancel the ones that are on the top and bottom.

((3x-9)*(x^2-2x-8))/((x+5)*(x^2-x-6))
we can rewrite each term as the following:
3x-9 = 3*(x-3)
x^2-2x-8 =  (x-4)(x+2)
x+5 = x+5
x^2-x-6 = (x-3)(x+2)

Now, we rewrite the expression.

(3*(x-3)(x-4)(x+2))/((x+5)(x-3)(x+2))
the x-3 and the x+2 on top cancel with the ones on bottom

(3*(x-4))/(x+5)

That is what we are left with.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Bobby