how do you simplify this equation- fractions with variables.

Question

(x^3-z^3)/(z-x)* (x+z)^2/(x^2+z^2)

Answer 1

Hello Victoria!!!

 

Good to hear from you again.

 

 (x^3 - z^3)               (x+z)^2

---------------  *  ------------------------

   z-x                       x^2 + z^2

 

 

 

 

(x - z)(x^2+xz + z^2)          (x+z)^2

--------------------------- *  ---------------------- <--- factors numerator of first fraction

     z-x                                   x^2 + z^2

 

Notice the factors (x -z) and (z-x) in the first fraction. They will cancel and leave a factor of -1 behing

because they are of opposite signs.

 

The final answer is:

 

 -(x^2+xz + z^2) (x+z)^2

-------------------------------

         x^2 + z^2

 

Nothing else cancels in this somewhat lackluster problem.

THX