Factoring the First Denominator

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 96 views

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Introduction

In algebra, combining rational expressions is a crucial skill that helps us simplify complex expressions and solve equations. In this article, we will focus on simplifying the expression $\frac{2x}{3x-12}+\frac{2x^2-2x}{x^2-6x+8}$ . We will break down the process into manageable steps, using techniques such as factoring, canceling common factors, and combining like terms.

Step 1: Factor the Denominators

The first step in simplifying the expression is to factor the denominators of each fraction. We can start by factoring the quadratic expressions in the denominators.

Factoring the First Denominator

The first denominator is $3x-12$ . We can factor out a common factor of 3:

3x-12 = 3(x-4)

Factoring the Second Denominator

The second denominator is $x^2-6x+8$ . We can factor this quadratic expression as:

x^2-6x+8 = (x-2)(x-4)

Step 2: Rewrite the Expression with Factored Denominators

Now that we have factored the denominators, we can rewrite the expression with the factored forms:

\frac{2x}{3(x-4)}+\frac{2x^2-2x}{(x-2)(x-4)}

Step 3: Cancel Common Factors

The next step is to cancel any common factors between the numerators and denominators. In this case, we can cancel the common factor of $(x-4)$ between the two fractions:

\frac{2x}{3(x-4)}+\frac{2x^2-2x}{(x-2)(x-4)} = \frac{2x}{3(x-4)}+\frac{2x(x-1)}{(x-2)(x-4)}

Step 4: Combine the Fractions

Now that we have canceled the common factor, we can combine the two fractions by finding a common denominator. In this case, the common denominator is $(x-2)(x-4)$ :

\frac{2x}{3(x-4)}+\frac{2x(x-1)}{(x-2)(x-4)} = \frac{2x(x-2)}{3(x-2)(x-4)}+\frac{2x(x-1)}{(x-2)(x-4)}

Step 5: Simplify the Expression

The final step is to simplify the expression by combining like terms in the numerator:

\frac{2x(x-2)}{3(x-2)(x-4)}+\frac{2x(x-1)}{(x-2)(x-4)} = \frac{2x(x-2+ x-1)}{3(x-2)(x-4)}

Step 6: Final Simplification

We can simplify the expression further by combining like terms in the numerator:

\frac{2x(x-2+ x-1)}{3(x-2)(x-4)} = \frac{2x(2x-3)}{3(x-2)(x-4)}

Conclusion

In this article, we have simplified the expression $\frac{2x}{3x-12}+\frac{2x^2-2x}{x^2-6x+8}$ by factoring the denominators, canceling common factors, and combining like terms. The final simplified expression is $\frac{2x(2x-3)}{3(x-2)(x-4)}$ . This expression is now in its simplest form, and we can use it to solve equations and perform other algebraic operations.

Final Answer

The final answer is $\boxed{\frac{2x(2x-3)}{3(x-2)(x-4)}}$ .

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Introduction

In our previous article, we simplified the expression $\frac{2x}{3x-12}+\frac{2x^2-2x}{x^2-6x+8}$ by factoring the denominators, canceling common factors, and combining like terms. In this article, we will answer some common questions that students may have when simplifying rational expressions.

Q&A

Q: What is the first step in simplifying a rational expression?

A: The first step in simplifying a rational expression is to factor the denominators. This involves breaking down the quadratic expressions in the denominators into their simplest forms.

Q: How do I factor a quadratic expression?

A: To factor a quadratic expression, you need to find two numbers whose product is the constant term and whose sum is the coefficient of the middle term. For example, to factor the quadratic expression $x^2+5x+6$ , you need to find two numbers whose product is 6 and whose sum is 5. These numbers are 2 and 3, so the factored form of the expression is $(x+2)(x+3)$ .

Q: What is the difference between a rational expression and a fraction?

A: A rational expression is an expression that can be written in the form $\frac{p(x)}{q(x)}$ , where $p(x)$ and $q(x)$ are polynomials. A fraction is a specific type of rational expression where the numerator and denominator are integers.

Q: How do I simplify a rational expression with a common factor?

A: To simplify a rational expression with a common factor, you need to cancel out the common factor between the numerator and denominator. For example, to simplify the rational expression $\frac{2x}{3x-12}$ , you need to cancel out the common factor of $x$ between the numerator and denominator.

Q: What is the final step in simplifying a rational expression?

A: The final step in simplifying a rational expression is to combine like terms in the numerator. This involves adding or subtracting the terms in the numerator to get the simplest form of the expression.

Q: Can I simplify a rational expression with a zero denominator?

A: No, you cannot simplify a rational expression with a zero denominator. If the denominator is zero, the expression is undefined, and you cannot simplify it.

Q: How do I know if a rational expression is in its simplest form?

A: A rational expression is in its simplest form if there are no common factors between the numerator and denominator, and the numerator and denominator are in their simplest forms.

Conclusion

In this article, we have answered some common questions that students may have when simplifying rational expressions. We have covered topics such as factoring quadratic expressions, simplifying rational expressions with common factors, and combining like terms in the numerator. By following these steps, you can simplify rational expressions and solve equations with ease.

Final Answer

The final answer is $\boxed{\frac{2x(2x-3)}{3(x-2)(x-4)}}$ .