Hi, can someone please help me on an algebra II problem? http://goo.gl/n41gRF this is what I got so far:
a^2/a^2=1
4-4=0
I am left with two m's. The final answer is m but that confuses me. Why isn't it 2m?

Question

Hi, can someone please help me on an algebra II problem? http://goo.gl/n41gRF this is what I got so far: 
a^2/a^2=1
4-4=0
I am left with two m's. The final answer is m but that confuses me. Why isn't it 2m?

ganeshie8 · Answer

thats a good try!
but we can't break a fraction like that

ganeshie8 · Answer

we need to pull out GCF of numerator and see if something cancels out

anonymous · Answer

do I factor to do that?

ganeshie8 · Answer

Notice that the numerator has two terms :  $\large a^2m+4m$

ganeshie8 · Answer

yes, whats the GCF of the terms ?

ganeshie8 · Answer

both terms have $\large m$ in common right ? factor that out

anonymous · Answer

ohhh yea

ganeshie8 · Answer

you get  $\large a^2m+4m =  m(a^2+4)$

ganeshie8 · Answer

Now you can canccel $\large a^2+4$ in the numerator and denominator and you will be left with just $\large m$

ganeshie8 · Answer

$$\large \dfrac{a^2m+4m}{a^2+4} = \dfrac{m(a^2+4)}{a^2+4} = m$$

anonymous · Answer

Thank you! that helped. I'm just learning this  material so  im a little shaky with it

ganeshie8 · Answer

remember this :

you can only cancel after factoring,
you canot cancel the individual terms...

anonymous · Answer

you;re amazing lol. I took notes on everything you typed

anonymous · Answer

ok thanks :)

ganeshie8 · Answer

no, you're amazing :) good luck with the practice!

anonymous · Answer

Aww thank you