Question

Need help with simplifying this fraction.

15m^2 + 9m^4 - 18m^3 / 3m^2

Answer 1

Factor out the GCF from the numerator and then simplify.

Answer 2

I don't understand, "GCF" ?

Answer 3

GCF = Greatest Common Factor

Answer 4

which would be 15m^2 ?

Answer 5

No.

Answer 6

Greatest Common Factor is a number that goes into all the terms.
for example the greatest common factor of 9m^4 + 6m^2
is 3m^2
which makes the equation like this
3m^2(3m^2 + 2)

Answer 7

So 3m^2 is the greatest common factor because it goes into all my terms right?

Answer 8

correct, what would the resulting equation be?

Answer 9

Would 3m^2 + 2 =3m^5 ?

Answer 10

no.

Answer 11

I thought you couldn't combine numbers that aren't link terms,.

Answer 12

15m^2 + 9m^4 - 18m^3 / 3m^2
3m^2(5+3m^2 - 6m) / 3m^2

Answer 13

3m^2 - 6m + 5 is your simplified answer.

Answer 14

So are you just grouping up all the exponents from the terms and dividing?

Answer 15

I'm taking the greatest common factor out of the trinomial and then simplifying.

Answer 16

You could also just do it like this
15m^2 / 3m^2 + 9m^4/3m^2 - 18m^3 / 3m^2

Answer 17

I tried doing it and i got4 3m^2 and -6m

Answer 18

The result is the same.

Answer 19

5*

Answer 20

3m^2 - 6m + 5 is your answer like i said.

Answer 21

Ahh so i got the answer right?

Answer 22

I got 5 for 15m^2 3m^2 for 9m^4 and -6m for -18m^3

Answer 23

yes

Answer 24

How did you properly order them to write it as my answer, im a little curious about that.

Answer 25

you order them by the highest degree ( exponent) to the least

Answer 26

Ahh, i see. Well thank you very much for your help and patience :).