A student made an error while trying to simplify the following rational expression, as shown below

Question

30x²+5x/15x²

 

 

30x²+5x/15x², x≠0  cross off 30x² and 15x²

 

2+5x. x≠0

 

Identify and explain the error

 

and correctly complete the simplicification

Answer 1

the 15x² divides into both terms of the numerator

30x²/15x² + 5x/15x²

2 + 1/3x, or if you want a single fraction...

2(3x)/3x + 1/3x=6x/3x + 1/3x=(6x+1)/3x