Exponent problem #1

Question

   3                    4

_____   __    ______

 

 X - 2             X + 2

 

_________________

 

            7

       _______

 

         X -  4  

 

I multiply the top 3 (x + 2) and 4 ( x - 2) which gives me 3x + 6 - 4x - 8 which equals -X - 2 over (x-2) (x + 2)

 

Now, how do I do the rest? Do i multiple - x -2 by x-4 over 7?

 

Thank you

Answer 1

When you have a fraction in the denominator, such as:

 

(1/8)

------

(1/2)

 

You invert the fraction in the denominator and multiply:

 

(1/8)        1      2      2         1
------  =   --- * ---  = ---  =  ---
(1/2)        8      1      8         4

 

So you need to invert the fraction 7/(x-4) and multiply. Also, the numerator should be 3x+6-4x+8 = -x+14 vice what you got  3x + 6 - 4x - 8 = -x-2.