Question

simplify x^2-3x -10/x+2

Answer 1

lol why did you repost...you could have edited the question you know :P

Answer 2

oh oops :) I'll remember that next time

Answer 3

anyway i assume this is \[\large \frac{x^2 - 3x - 10}{x+2}\] there are two possible ways this can be solved

1) simplify the numerator then cancel
2) use long division

which would you like me to use?

Answer 4

which ever is easier for you :)

Answer 5

well number two is unappetizing with that \(\mathbf{long}\) word so i think i'll use number 1...okay do you know how to simplify the numerator?

Answer 6

by simplify i mean factor out

Answer 7

I horrible at math so no......can you please take me through the steps?

Answer 8

okay....give me all the possible factors of 10

Answer 9

ummm 5, 2, 1, 10

Answer 10

good..5 and 2

then

10 and 1


can you make a -3 out of 10 and 1 using only addition/subtraction? i.e. 10 + 1 or 10 -1, etc.

Answer 11

yes

Answer 12

how o.O

Answer 13

you subtract 13 from 10

Answer 14

you only use 10 and 1 :P

Answer 15

oh oops didn't understand that XD no you can't

Answer 16

it's not possible using 10 and 1...

10 + 1 = 11
10 - 1 = 9
-1 - 10 = -11
1 - 10 = -9

Answer 17

what about 5 and 2?

Answer 18

nope

Answer 19

no? what's 2- 5?

Answer 20

oh whoops XD yes then

Answer 21

so positive 2 and negative 5 make -3 therefore (x+2)(x-5) is the factor...got it?

Answer 22

ok :)

Answer 23

another way to factor...break down the middle term... \[\large \begin{align} x^2 - 3x - 10\\ x^2 - 5x + 2x - 10\\ x(x - 5) + 2(x-5)\\ (x-5)(x+2) \end{align}\]

Answer 24

ok :)

Answer 25

anyway...rewrite your original problem \[\large \frac{(x-5)(x+2)}{x+2}\]

Answer 26

is that the answer?

Answer 27

?

Answer 28

no

Answer 29

oh ok well I have to go to dinner soon so can you tell me the answer?

Answer 30

look at what i wrote a while ago...simplify the numerator then cancel...we already simplified the numerator so what's next?

Answer 31

x^2-10/x+2?

Answer 32

what? we rewrote the problem to \[\frac{(x+2)(x-5)}{x+2}\] cancel from there

Answer 33

how?

Answer 34

uhmm well look at what's common in the numerator and denominator then cancel them

Answer 35

oh! so the answer is x-5!

Answer 36

there we go

Answer 37

what would x not equal though?

Answer 38

ahh yes..that...well it's the number that will make the denominator 0..so what will make x+2 zero?

Answer 39

hint: \[x+2 \ne 0\] find x

Answer 40

-2+2=0 ....so x doesn't equal -2

Answer 41

yup

Answer 42

yay! Thank you!! umm while I have you here can you answer this question: simplify x+7/x^2+4x-21 I won't be on btu can you please answer it?

Answer 43

well i gtg :P haha and also if you have new questions post them in another post ...we're not allowed to answer two different questions in one post