Introductory Algebra for College Students (7th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-13417-805-X
ISBN 13: 978-0-13417-805-9

Chapter 7 - Section 7.4 - Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions with Different Denominators - Exercise Set - Page 517: 15

Answer

$(x-5)(x+4)(2x-1)$

Work Step by Step

Step 1. Factor both denominators. The first one is a trinomial $x^{2}+bx+c.$ ... We find factors of $c=-20$ whose sum is $b=-1$. ... these are $-5$ and $+4$. $x^{2}-x-20=(x-5)(x+4)$ The second one is a trinomial $ax^{2}+bx+c.$ ... We find factors of $ac=-8$ whose sum is $b=+7$. ... these are $+8$ and $-1$ ... rewrite $bx$ and factor in pairs: $2x^{2}+7x-4=2x^{2}+8x-x-4$ $=2x(x+4)-(x+4)$ $=(x+4)(2x-1)$ Step 2. List the factors of the first denominator. $ List=(x-5),(x+4),...\qquad$ (list in progress) Step 3. Add to the list in step 2 any factors of the second denominator that are not yet listed. $(x+4)$ is already in the list. $(2x-1)$ is not in the list, we add it to the list $List=(x-5),(x+4),(2x-1),...$ Step 4. LCD is the product of the listed factors. $LCD=(x-5)(x+4)(2x-1)$
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