Question

Simplify x^2+8x/x^2:
A. x+8/x^2
B. x+8/x
C. 8x
D. 8

Answer 1

if you factor an x from the top and bottom you'll cancel an x...

another way is to split the numerator

\[\frac{x^2}{x^2}+\frac{8x}{x^2}\]

=
\[1+\frac{8}{x}\]

Answer 2

if you put them under the same denominator you have to multiply the 1 by x which gets you back to your answers

\[\frac{x+8}{x}\]

Answer 3

why they don't teach splitting the numerators when doing this baffles me because you use it in calculus a lot

Answer 4

Well, I guess I'm getting a tip for Calculus in 2 years. Thanks!