Simplify the rational expression state any excluded values.
A. 2 x-8/x-4
B. 4x-8/4x+20

Question

Simplify the rational expression state any excluded values.
A. 2 x-8/x-4
B. 4x-8/4x+20

anonymous · Answer

$$\frac{ 2x-8 }{ x-4 }$$

anonymous · Answer

b.  $$\frac{ 4x-8 }{ 4x+20 }$$

anonymous · Answer

Hey @EmeraldSunset do you know how to do these?

anonymous · Answer

@dumbcow @phi i really need help!

phi · Answer

in 2x -8
what number can you divide into each term ?

anonymous · Answer

by 2

anonymous · Answer

so you end up with$$x-4$$

phi · Answer

yes, you can divide 2x-8 by 2
you can write it as  2(x-4)
(notice that if you "distribute" the 2, you get 2x-8, which is what you started with)

now use the idea that anything divided by itself is 1 (except zero divided by zero)
$$ \frac{2(x-4)}{x-4} = 2 \cdot  \frac{x-4}{x-4}= 2\cdot 1 = 2$$

there is one complication:  0/0 is not defined. If x=4  we would have 4-4/(4-4)= 0/0
and that is not allowed.  To handle that, we say the answer  is 
2, with the restriction x≠ 4