## anonymous one year ago simplify (x^2-9 over x-5) over x+3

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1. anonymous

the equation tool will make this easier to read

2. mathstudent55

Is this the question? $$\large \dfrac{\frac{x^2-9}{x-5}}{x+3}$$

3. anonymous

yes

4. mathstudent55

In general: $$\Large \dfrac{\frac{a}{b} }{\frac{c}{d} }= \dfrac{ab}{bc}$$

5. anonymous

don't simplify divide

6. mathstudent55

Rewrite the denominator of the main fraction as a fraction. All you need to do is write the quantity x + 3 over 1. Now you have a complex fraction of a fraction over a fraction.

7. mathstudent55

Look at the pattern I wrote above. To simplify, multiply the upper most numerator by the lowest denominator and write that in the new numerator. Then multiply the middle denominator and numerator and that goes in the new denominator. Then factor and reduce.

8. mathstudent55

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9. mathstudent55

(x^2 - 9) multiplied by 1 is simply x^2 - 9 Now factor x^2 - 9 Then reduce the fraction by dividing both the numerator and denominator by a common factor.