simplify the rational expression state any excluded valus

Question

anonymous · Answer

$$\frac{ x-2 }{ x^2+3x-10 }$$

anonymous · Answer

Simplify, in this case means to factor the trinomial.

anonymous · Answer

im sorry i dont understand its been a few yrs but im willing ti learn

anonymous · Answer

Factoring a trinomial is the reverse of FOIL. Does that sound at all familiar?

anonymous · Answer

no

anonymous · Answer

$(x-2)(x+3) = x^2 +3x - 2x -6$
First
Outside
Inside
Last

anonymous · Answer

oh ok

anonymous · Answer

So, in factoring my trinomial:
$x^2 +x -6$
You need the first terms to be x because that is the only way to get $x^2$.

anonymous · Answer

Then, you need to find the numbers that multiply to be -6 and add to be 1. They will be placed in the last position:
$(x-2)(x+3)$
$-2+3 = 1  -2 \times 3 = -6$

anonymous · Answer

$-2+3 = 1$      $-2 \times 3 = -6$

anonymous · Answer

So, in factoring your trinomial:
$x^2+3x-10$
What are you first terms?

anonymous · Answer

(x−2)(x+3)=x2+3x−2x−6?

anonymous · Answer

THen you would need to combine like terms to get back to my original equation.

anonymous · Answer

ok how do i do that

anonymous · Answer

$x^2+3x−2x−6$
The 3x and the -2x can be combined (added) but don't forget that one of them is negative.

anonymous · Answer

Are you able to factor your trinomial?