Question

Where am I going wrong here...?

(2 / x) + (1 / x^2)
=
(2 * x^2) / (x * x^2) + (1 * x) / (x^2 * x)
=
3x^2 / x^3
=
3 / x

The aswer should be (2x + 1) / x^2

Answer 1

You combine 2*x^2 and 1*x in the second step, which you can't do. But if you factor the numerator you can cancel a x and you get the correct answer.

Answer 2

ah, right

(2x^2 + x) / x^3
x(2x+1)/x^3
2x+1/x^2

Thank you!

Answer 3

Nice, you're welcome.