Question

what is the simplified form of the quantity x-squared minus 36 over the quantity x minus 6?


Select one:
A. x - 6, with the restriction x ≠ -6
B. x - 6, with the restriction x ≠ 6
C. x + 6, with the restriction x ≠ 6
D. x + 6, with the restriction x ≠ -6

Answer 1

\[\frac{ x^{2}-36 }{ x-6 }\]

Answer 2

factorize the top

x^2 - 36 = (x+6)*(x-6)

Answer 3

\[\frac{ (x+6)*(x-6) }{ x-6 }\]

Answer 4

the (x-6) cancel out, leaving you with just x+6

Answer 5

but x cannot equal 6, because if it did, the denominator of the original equation would equal 0, and we cannot divide by 0

Answer 6

so your answer is C

Answer 7

Thank you! I now understand what the question means by "restriction." since x cannot equal 6, 6 is the restriction. Am I right? :P

Answer 8

yes!