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 417: 145

Answer

$\frac{y^n-1}{y^n+4}$.

Work Step by Step

The given expression is $\Rightarrow \frac{y^{2n}-1}{y^{2n}+3y^n+2}\div\frac{y^{2n}+y^n-12}{y^{2n}-y^n-6}$ Invert the divisor and multiply. $\Rightarrow \frac{y^{2n}-1}{y^{2n}+3y^n+2}\cdot \frac{y^{2n}-y^n-6}{y^{2n}+y^n-12}$ Let $y^n=x$. $\Rightarrow \frac{x^{2}-1}{x^{2}+3x+2}\cdot \frac{x^{2}-x-6}{x^{2}+x-12}$ Factor each numerator and denominator as shown below. $\Rightarrow x^2-1$ $\Rightarrow x^2-1^2$ Use the special formula $a^2-b^2=(a+b)(a-b)$. $\Rightarrow (x+1)(x-1)$ $\Rightarrow x^2+3x+2$ Rewrite the middle term $3x$ as $2x+1x$. $\Rightarrow x^2+2x+1x+2$ Group terms. $\Rightarrow (x^2+2x)+(1x+2)$ Factor each group. $\Rightarrow x(x+2)+1(x+2)$ Factor out $(x+2)$. $\Rightarrow (x+2)(x+1)$ $\Rightarrow x^2-x-6$ Rewrite the middle term $-x$ as $-3x+2x$. $\Rightarrow x^2-3x+2x-6$ Group terms. $\Rightarrow (x^2-3x)+(2x-6)$ Factor each group. $\Rightarrow x(x-3)+2(x-3)$ Factor out $(x-3)$. $\Rightarrow (x-3)(x+2)$ $\Rightarrow x^2+x-12$ Rewrite the middle term $x$ as $4x-3x$. $\Rightarrow x^2+4x-3x-12$ Group terms. $\Rightarrow (x^2+4x)+(-3x-12)$ Factor each group. $\Rightarrow x(x+4)-3(x+4)$ Factor out $(x+4)$. $\Rightarrow (x+4)(x-3)$ Substitute all the factors into the given expression. $\Rightarrow \frac{(x+1)(x-1)}{(x+2)(x+1)}\cdot \frac{(x-3)(x+2)}{(x+4)(x-3)}$ Cancel common terms. $\Rightarrow \frac{x-1}{x+4}$ Back substitute $x=y^n$. $\Rightarrow \frac{y^n-1}{y^n+4}$.
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.