Simplifying Rational Expressions and Functions

Question

Ok, so here is the problem

 

4x-16

12

 

We're supposed to simplify it, and get x-4/3 

 

If I do it the way the book says to: 

 

2*2*x-2*2*2*2

3*2*2

 

Cancel out the two's 

 

and I get x-2*2*2*2/3  which is x-16/3 

 

Can someone please help?

Answer 1

It should be (4x-16)/12. Did you forget to draw a line below 4x-16 and above 12?

 

 

You can factorise the way you show. (2*2*x-2*2*2*2)/3*2*2, then you will see the common factors are 2*2, so you divide  all the terms by 2*2, you will get (x-4)/3