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 - Section 6.1 - Rational Expressions and Functions; Multiplying and Dividing - Exercise Set - Page 415: 96

Answer

$ \frac{a-9}{42a^2}$.

Work Step by Step

The given expression is $\Rightarrow \frac{a^2-8a+15}{2a^3-10a^2}\cdot \frac{2a^2+3a}{3a^3-27a}\div \frac{14a+21}{a^2-6a-27}$ Invert the divisor and multiply. $\Rightarrow \frac{a^2-8a+15}{2a^3-10a^2}\cdot \frac{2a^2+3a}{3a^3-27a}\cdot \frac{a^2-6a-27}{14a+21}$ Factor each numerator and denominator as shown below. $\Rightarrow a^2-8a+15$ Rewrite the middle term $-8a$ as $-5a-3a$. $\Rightarrow a^2-5a-3a+15$ Group terms. $\Rightarrow (a^2-5a)+(-3a+15)$ Factor each group. $\Rightarrow a(a-5)-3(a-5)$ Factor out $(a-5)$. $\Rightarrow (a-5)(a-3)$ $\Rightarrow 2a^3-10a^2$ Factor out $2a^2$. $\Rightarrow 2a^2(a-5)$ $\Rightarrow 2a^2+3a$ Factor out $a$. $\Rightarrow a(2a+3)$ $\Rightarrow 3a^3-27a$ Factor out $3a$. $\Rightarrow 3a(a^2-9)$ $\Rightarrow 3a(a^2-3^2)$ Use the special formula $(a^2-b^2)=(a+b)(a-b)$ $\Rightarrow 3a(a+3)(a-3)$ $\Rightarrow a^2-6a-27$ Rewrite the middle term $-6a$ as $-9a+3a$. $\Rightarrow a^2-9a+3a-27$ Group terms. $\Rightarrow (a^2-9a)+(3a-27)$ Factor each group. $\Rightarrow a(a-9)+3(a-9)$ Factor out $(a-9)$. $\Rightarrow (a-9)(a+3)$ $\Rightarrow 14a+21$ Factor out $7$. $\Rightarrow 7(2a+3)$ Substitute all the factors into the given expression. $\Rightarrow \frac{(a-5)(a-3)}{2a^2(a-5)}\cdot \frac{a(2a+3)}{3a(a+3)(a-3)}\cdot \frac{(a-9)(a+3)}{7(2a+3)}$ Cancel common terms. $\Rightarrow \frac{a-9}{42a^2}$.
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