Marietta H.

asked • 07/05/15

A fraction equation with a lot of x

Simplify [ (x2+y2)/(x2-y2) - (x2-y2)/(x2+y2) ] / [ (x+y)/(x-y) - (x+y)/(x-y) ]
 
that's a fraction minus a fraction. And the whole thing divided by a fraction minus a fraction. But the denominator gets 0 so I'm not sure how to do it.

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Harvey F. answered • 07/05/15

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Hi Marietta,
It seems you have answered your own question by stating the denominator is zero, so the answer is "Undefined". (Some teachers use "No Answer" or "No Solution".)
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Marietta H.

Is there a mistake with the question then? Because the book's answer is xy/(x2+y2). 
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07/05/15

Philip P.

tutor
For the answer you gave, xy/(x2+y2), the problem is written incorrectly (the denominator is different).  It should be:
 
[ (x2+y2)/(x2-y2) - (x2-y2)/(x2+y2) ] / [ (x+y)/(x-y) - (x-y)/(x+y) ]
 
This problem simplifies to the answer in the book.
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07/05/15

Marietta H.

Ok, thanks!
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07/05/15

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