## anonymous 3 years ago Which factor can you cancel from the numerator and denominator to simplify: [Hint: (a−x) = − (x − a)]

1. anonymous

$\frac{ 8 - 2x }{ 3x -12 }$

2. anonymous

2 - ? 3

3. anonymous

If you cancel A out.

Well I presume they are explaining it like you would destribute the negative in front of the first part of the problem through it.

the hint part

6. anonymous

I have no knowledge of how to do this.

...I did this last year...DARN MY DUMPING OF KNOWLEDGE!

@Mertsj I hate to drag you here...

If I am not mistaken I think you would cancel the 2x out but dont take my word for it

10. Mertsj

|dw:1373161125061:dw|

11. anonymous

The choices are: 2/3 3/2 x - 4 x + 4 I don't understand what he wrote.-.

Work the last part out

I guess

14. anonymous

- 2/3 ? x - 4 ?

15. anonymous

I really don't understand ;(

16. Mertsj

What part don't you understand? The part where I factored the numerator or the factorization of the denominator?

17. anonymous

I don't understand the whole thing.

18. Mertsj

Take the denominator which is 3x-12 and factor out a 3 and post what you get.

19. anonymous

x - 4?

20. Mertsj

NO!! When you write the factors of something, they must multiply back to the original expression.

21. Mertsj

3x-12=3(x-4)

22. Mertsj

Now take 8-2x and factor out -2 and post the result.

23. anonymous

-2(x - 4) ?

24. Mertsj

Now write the entire fraction with the numerator and denominator in their proper places and factored.

25. anonymous

-2(x - 4) -------- ? 3(x - 4)

26. Mertsj

Do the numerator and denominator have any factor that is the same?

27. anonymous

x - 4 ?

28. Mertsj

So what could you cancel?

29. anonymous

Cancel out x - 4?

30. Mertsj

What question are you trying to answer?

31. anonymous

Which factor can you cancel from the numerator and denominator to simplify?

32. Mertsj

33. anonymous

x - 4?

34. Mertsj

Very good.