Question

Simplify the following expression, explain your steps.
(x^2+3x-4)/(x^2+5x+4)

Answer 1

im not sure where to start

Answer 2

quadratic equation so `factor`

Answer 3

in order to simplify you should by factoring both quadratic equations.
do you know how to factor them?

Answer 4

no not really

Answer 5

well the leading coefficient of 1
so you can apply AC method
find two numbers when you multiply them you should get product of AC (a=leading coefficient and c=constant)
and the sum of same numbers should be equal to b (coefficient of x term)
\[\rm Ax^2+Bx+C=0\]
a=leading ceofficient
b=coefficient of x term
c=constant

Answer 6

x^2+3x-4
a=?
b=?
c=?

Answer 7

wouldnt that make it 3 and -2?

Answer 8

wait i didnt see the second part. A= 1 b= 3 and c = -4

Answer 9

^^ye coorrect.

Answer 10

so product of AC =1 times -4 =-4 so when you multiply those two numbers you should get -4
and the coefficient of x term is 3 so the sum of same two numbers should be 3

Answer 11

so 4 and -1

Answer 12

correct ans since the leading coefficient is one so you can write as (x + 1st number)(x+2nd number ) factors of x^2+3x-4

Answer 13

doesn't matter which number u put first
it can be -1 or 4

Answer 14

okay that makes sense but im not sure where to go from there?

Answer 15

now factor the denominator

Answer 16

x^2+5x+4 same method
find two numbers.

Answer 17

so 5 and -1

Answer 18

hmm what is the product of AC ??