## 85295james 3 years ago Simplify the rational expression. State any excluded values.

1. 85295james

x-2/x^2+3x-10

2. mathslover

is this the question? : $\large{\frac{x-2}{x^2+3x-10}}$ ?

3. 85295james

yes that is it

4. KingGeorge

Can you factor the denominator?

5. 85295james

what do you mean ??

6. 85295james

x=-5 or x=2

7. KingGeorge

Right. So that means $$x^2+3x-10=(x+5)(x-2)$$. That means your rational expression becomes$\frac{(x-2)}{(x+5)(x-2)}$Before we go farther, can you tell me what the excluded values will be?

8. 85295james

i dont know :(

9. KingGeorge

The excluded values are the zeroes of the denominator. So you get $$x=-5,2$$. Now I'm sure that you can simplify it.

10. 85295james

so x=0

11. KingGeorge

You have excluded values when your denominator is 0. Also, I've got to go now. If you have questions, I'll be back on later tonight, so I can answer your questions then.

12. 85295james

so x2

13. KingGeorge

Do you mean $$x^2$$?

14. 85295james

no

15. KingGeorge

x=2?

16. KingGeorge

I'm a bit confused. Are you stuck with the simplification or the excluded values?

17. 85295james

sorry one secc

18. 85295james

|dw:1346987271707:dw|

19. 85295james

i dont think it is (A) now

20. 85295james

(C)????

21. KingGeorge

It is not C. Look back at the equation. $\frac{(x-2)}{(x+5)(x-2)}$How can you simplify this?

22. 85295james

no

23. KingGeorge

$\frac{\cancel{(x-2)}}{(x+5)\cancel{(x-2)}}$What do you get?

24. 85295james

(B)

25. KingGeorge

no...You should get $\frac{1}{(x+5)}$

26. 85295james

o lol (D)