Hey hey hey peeps :) so I really need FAST! Please answer this question if you are good at algebra, Explain how to simplify the ratio x^2-x-20/x^2+8x+16

Question

Hey hey hey  peeps :) so I really need FAST! Please answer this question if you are good at algebra, Explain how to simplify the ratio x^2-x-20/x^2+8x+16

hero · Answer

Hint: 

1. Factor the numerator and denominator:

$$\frac{(x + 4)(x - 5)}{(x + 4)(x + 4)}$$

2. Then cancel factors of one

anonymous · Answer

You would cancel out the x+4 in the numerator and one of the x+4 in the denominator right?

anonymous · Answer

Could you explain the WHOLE process please?

amistre64 · Answer

that was the whole process

factor, then "cancel" like terms top to bottom

amistre64 · Answer

only thing that might be added is to microwave some pizza rolls ....

anonymous · Answer

ha ha -_- jk jk:) thanks but seriously I mean explain everything like your talking through the process with a teacher or something

amistre64 · Answer

.... teachers like it when your succinct :)

factor the polynomials, and if there are any like factors, they "cancel" out.

the term cancel is really not a good phrase to use since you are really using the property that a/a = 1  and 1 times anything is itself.  so it just looks like they vanish into thin air

amistre64 · Answer

how wold you go aboutit?  that might be a better way to approach this :)

zepdrix · Answer

Monet do you understand how factoring works? :)

anonymous · Answer

Yes and no..... its kinda confusing.....

hero · Answer

What's confusing about factoring a polynomial and cancelling factors of one?

anonymous · Answer

Everything :P and I just have a hard time with working out the problem. Also I'm just retarded when it comes to math hee hee :)

anonymous · Answer

No but for reals I need someone to explain in detail please!

hero · Answer

Anything divided by itself equals one

hero · Answer

Thus (x+4)/(x+4) = 1

hero · Answer

You know how to factor, right?

anonymous · Answer

But the question is asking you to EXPLAIN how to simplify the ratio x^2-x-20/x^2+8x+16
not write it out

hero · Answer

I gave you the explanation steps as well bro. Look up ↑

anonymous · Answer

No you said, Anything divided by itself equals one, Thus (x+4)/(x+4) = 1, You know how to factor, right? You did Not explain like you would if you were doing homework bro