How to simplify this expression? x^2 - 2x - 3 divided by (2x^2 - 10x + 12)

Question

   x^2-2x-3   

2x^2-10x+12

 

 

Simplify this expression?

 

(x^2 means x squared and 2x^2 means 2x squared)

Answer 1

First factor the numerator:  x^2-2x-3 = (x-3)(x+1)

 

Factor a 2 out of the denominator:  2(x^2-5x+6)

 

Then factor the denominator:  2(x-3)(x-2)

 

So the entire expression is:

 

(x-3)(x+1)

2(x-3)(x-2)

 

Cancel out x-3 from both:

 

  x+1  

2(x-2)