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Mathematics 91 Online
OpenStudy (anonymous):

Which factor do you cancel from the numerator and denominator to simplify x squared minus 2 times x minus 3 all over x squared minus 9.? Answer x + 2 x - 3 x + 3 x - 2

OpenStudy (anonymous):

what do you get when you factor x^2-9?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

It's a "difference of squares" problem.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

I know that it is either x-3 or x+3 but im not sure

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Right. When you factor x^2-9 you get (x+3)(x-3). That will be your denominator. Then just cancel the like terms in the numerator and denominator. Do you see what the like terms will be?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

don't you cancel x-3

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Yes.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

so the answer is x +3 ?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

The question was asking which term you cancel. I believe you said above that you cancel (x-3). Right?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

oh yea sryy ok so the answer would be x + 3 but they asked which one we would cancel out so it is x - 3

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Right - math questions can be tricky sometimes! Always be sure to answer the question they ask.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

okay, thanks for your help

OpenStudy (anonymous):

you're welcome!

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