Intermediate Algebra for College Students (7th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-13417-894-7
ISBN 13: 978-0-13417-894-3

Chapter 6 - Review Exercises - Page 496: 11

Answer

$\frac{x-7}{x^2}$.

Work Step by Step

The given expression is $=\frac{x^2-9x+14}{x^3+2x^2}\cdot \frac{x^2-4}{x^2-4x+4}$ Factor $x^2-9x+14$. Rewrite the middle term $-9x$ as $-7x-2x$. $=x^2-7x-2x+14$ Group terms. $=(x^2-7x)+(-2x+14)$ Factor each term. $=x(x-7)-2(x-7)$ Factor out $(x-7)$. $=(x-7)(x-2)$ Factor $x^3+2x^2$. $=x^2(x+2)$ Factor $x^2-4$. $=x^2-2^2$ Use the algebraic expression $a^2-b^2=(a+b)(a-b)$. $=(x+2)(x-2)$ Factor $x^2-4x+4$ Rewrite the middle term $-4x$ as $-2x-2x$. $=x^2-2x-2x+4$ Group terms. $=(x^2-2x)+(-2x+4)$ Factor each term. $=x(x-2)-2(x-2)$ Factor out $(x-2)$. $=(x-2)(x-2)$ Substitute all factors into the given expression. $=\frac{(x-7)(x-2)}{x^2(x+2)}\cdot \frac{(x+2)(x-2)}{(x-2)(x-2)}$ Cancel common terms. $=\frac{x-7}{x^2}$.
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