Question

someone help?

Answer 1

Using complete sentences, explain each step in simplifying the ratio \[\frac{ x ^{2}-x-20 }{ x ^{2}+8x+16 }\] and provide the simplified form.

Answer 2

Well, what do you think you need to do to simplify it? What's the first thing?

Answer 3

Sav, do you understand how to simplify this problem?
Let's worry about putting it into sentences after you've successfully done the simplification first. :)

Answer 4

idk this is what the question on the test asked

Answer 5

tell your teacher there is no such mathematical operation as "simplify"
what it means is
"factor and cancel"

Answer 6

idk what to doooo!

Answer 7

How would you simplify \(\large \dfrac{10}{5}\)?

Answer 8

How would you simplify \(\large y=\dfrac{3xy}{6x}\)

Answer 9

idk

Answer 10

You don't know how to reduce \(\large y=\dfrac{10}{5}\)?

Answer 11

oh, sorry, forget the y= part of it. just \(\large \dfrac{10}{5}\)

Answer 12

and \(\large \dfrac{3xy}{6x}\)

Answer 13

@Sav_1012 if you can factor
\[x^2-x+20\] and
\[x^2+8x+16\] then you can do this problem
if you do not know how to factor these, you cannot

you must know how to factor first, before you can proceed.

Answer 14

And, if you do not know how to factor those expressions, I would add that you seem to be in the wrong class. You do not have the necessary prerequisite skills to do the work that is being expected of you.

Please understand that I do NOT say this to be mean or as a put-down, it just means that you are trying to learn to run before you've learned to walk. I see students every.single.day who are in a class that requires that they already have certain skills and knowledge that they don't have. I know right away that they will struggle and be frustrated.

Answer 15

wow

Answer 16

This is the answer for anyone who needs help:
first split -x into -5x+4x
then you take common terms out
x^2-5x+4x-20
------------
x^2+4x+4x+16
Now you have
x(x-5)+4(x-5) --> (x+4)(x-5)
------------- ----------
x(x+4)+4(x+4) (x+4)(x+4)

(x-5),(5-5),(x+4)&(x+4) all are the same so they cross out leaving us with

x-5
---
x+4