Question

A box has a volume of x^3 - 16x cm^3. Another box has a volume of x^3 - 4x^2 cm^3. What is the ratio of the volume of the first box to that of the second?

So I divide, right? x^3 - 16 / x^3 - 4x^2 ? But then I'm stuck...

Answer 1

* x^3 - 16x / x^3 - 4x^2

Answer 2

You need to factor like so..

Answer 3

ok... so
\[\frac{ x(x^2- 16) }{ x^2(x -4) }\]
\[\frac{ x(x+4)(x-4) }{ x^2(x-4) }\]
am I on the right track?

Answer 4

Yes you are.

Answer 5

what do I do next?

Answer 6

Find any common factors?

Answer 7

(x-4)?

Answer 8

Yes, and one more.

Answer 9

x?

Answer 10

Excellent!

Answer 11

so if I take out the common factors...
\[\frac{ x + 4 }{ x }\]
is that my answer?

Answer 12

Yep.