Question

simplify x^2-49/x^2+7x

Answer 1

can u factor, x^2-49 ?
49=7^2
and \(a^2-b^2= (a+b)(a-b)\)

Answer 2

so like (x-49)(x-49)

Answer 3

right?

Answer 4

not actually,
it was x^2-7^2
so,
(x+7)(x-7)

what about x^2+7x ?
factor out x...

Answer 5

ok so i would do the foil method on (x+7)(x-7)

Answer 6

no...we factored x^2-49 to (x+7)(x-7), keep it that way
if you foil you will again get x^2-49...
now factor x^2+7x
can you ?

Answer 7

no :(

Answer 8

can you help me with that?

Answer 9

just factor out the x!
\(x^2+7x = x \times x + 7 \times x = x \times (x+7)\)
got this ?

Answer 10

oohhhhhh ok i see

Answer 11

good, now numerator = (x+7)(x-7)
and denominator = x (x+7)
what gets cancelled ?

Answer 12

(x+7)

Answer 13

correct, what remains ?

Answer 14

(x-7)

Answer 15

so would the answer be (x-7)/x?

Answer 16

yes! good :)

Answer 17

thank you so much for your help, could you help me out with one more question?

Answer 18

welcome !
yes, but please post it as a new question...

Answer 19

ok