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 7.3 - Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions with the Same Denominator - Exercise Set - Page 508: 89

Answer

$=\displaystyle \frac{x+1}{x+2}$

Work Step by Step

The expression in the parentheses is a difference of rational expressions with equal denominators, $\displaystyle \frac{3x-1}{x^{2}+5x-6}-\frac{2x-7}{x^{2}+5x-6}=\frac{3x-1-(2x-7)}{x^{2}+5x-6}$ $=\displaystyle \frac{x+6}{x^{2}+5x-6}$ ... factor the denominator, $=\displaystyle \frac{x+6}{(x+6)(x-1)}\qquad$ ... common factors cancel $=\displaystyle \frac{1}{x-1}$ The problem now equals $\displaystyle \frac{1}{x-1}\div\frac{x+2}{x^{2}-1}$ ... dividing with $\displaystyle \frac{A}{B}$ equals multiplying with $\displaystyle \frac{B}{A}$ =$\displaystyle \frac{1}{x-1}\times\frac{x^{2}-1}{x+2}$ ... recognize the difference of squares $=\displaystyle \frac{(x+1)(x-1)}{(x-1)(x+2)}\qquad$ ... common factors cancel $=\displaystyle \frac{x+1}{x+2}$
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