Elementary and Intermediate Algebra: Concepts & Applications (6th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32184-874-8
ISBN 13: 978-0-32184-874-1

Chapter R - Elementary Algebra Review - R.6 Rational Expressions and Equations - R.6 Exercise Set - Page 980: 35

Answer

The simplified form of the complex rational expression $\frac{\frac{2}{x}-\frac{1}{{{x}^{2}}}}{\frac{x}{4}}$ is $\frac{4\left( 2x-1 \right)}{{{x}^{3}}}$.

Work Step by Step

$\frac{\frac{2}{x}-\frac{1}{{{x}^{2}}}}{\frac{x}{4}}$ The denominator of the complex rational expression has a single term as $\frac{x}{4}$. But the numerator is not single, so perform the operation and get a single rational expression in the numerator: The LCD of $\frac{2}{x}-\frac{1}{{{x}^{2}}}$ is ${{x}^{2}}$. Now, solve the complex fraction by making all terms equivalent as its LCD: $\begin{align} & \frac{\frac{2}{x}-\frac{1}{{{x}^{2}}}}{\frac{x}{4}}=\frac{\frac{2}{x}\cdot \frac{{{x}^{2}}}{{{x}^{2}}}-\frac{1}{{{x}^{2}}}}{\frac{x}{4}} \\ & =\frac{\frac{2x}{{{x}^{2}}}-\frac{1}{{{x}^{2}}}}{\frac{x}{4}} \\ & =\frac{\frac{2x-1}{{{x}^{2}}}}{\frac{x}{4}} \end{align}$ Divide the numerator by the denominator, $\frac{\frac{2}{x}-\frac{1}{{{x}^{2}}}}{\frac{x}{4}}=\frac{2x-1}{{{x}^{2}}}\div \frac{x}{4}$ $\begin{align} & \frac{A}{B}\div \frac{C}{D}=\frac{A}{B}\cdot \frac{D}{C} \\ & =\frac{AD}{BC} \end{align}$ where $\frac{A}{B},\left( B\ne 0 \right)$, $\frac{C}{D},\left( D\ne 0 \right)$ are rational expressions with $\frac{C}{D}\ne 0$ The reciprocal of $\frac{x}{4}$ is $\frac{4}{x}$ Thus, the expression becomes: $\frac{\frac{2}{x}-\frac{1}{{{x}^{2}}}}{\frac{x}{4}}=\frac{2x-1}{{{x}^{2}}}\cdot \frac{4}{x}$ Simplify the terms, $\begin{align} & \frac{\frac{2}{x}-\frac{1}{{{x}^{2}}}}{\frac{x}{4}}=\frac{\left( 2x-1 \right)\cdot 4}{\left( {{x}^{2}} \right)\left( x \right)} \\ & =\frac{4\left( 2x-1 \right)}{{{x}^{3}}} \end{align}$
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.