## TheYankee one year ago Divide and Simplify this rational expression. MEDAL

1. TheYankee

2. Nnesha

factor (a^2-a) = ?

3. Nnesha

and change division to multiplication ( multiply top with the reciprocal of the divisor ) $\large\rm \frac{ a }{ b } \div \frac{ c }{ d } = \frac{ a }{ b } \times \frac{ d }{ c}$

4. TheYankee

I have a really, really hard time with the parentheses in these problems. Do they change operations at all?

5. Nnesha

parentheses those are factor form of quadratic equation

6. TheYankee

I know, but once it is factored, I have a problem using them in division problems. I'm working on the problem and I'm almost done. Would you check my answer when I'm done?

7. Nnesha

sure!

8. TheYankee

Is this it?

9. TheYankee

(I'm so bad at these ^^;)

10. Nnesha

how did you get that ?

11. Nnesha

:-)

12. TheYankee

After switching around everything I had (A-4)(a+3)/2(a=3) times (a+3)(a-1)/2(a-4). I cross multiplied 2(a-4) and (a-4)(a=3) to get (a+3)^2 and cross multiplied the other values to get 2(a-1) Then distributed.

13. Nnesha

so (a-4)(a+3) = (a+3)^2 ?

14. TheYankee

That's what I got when I multiplied it by 2(a-4) The a-4s cancelled out and that left 2 and a+3. I suppose it could have been 2(a+3,) though.

15. Nnesha

mhm i'm confused

16. Nnesha

i just want to know how u got (a+3)^2 ?? :-)

17. Nnesha

yep right (a-4)s cancels out :-)

18. TheYankee

I multiplied the value (a-4)(a+3) by 2(a-4). When the a-4s cancelled, I was left with 2 on one side and a+3 on the other. So, re-evaluating, it wouldn't be (a+3)^2 it would be 2(a+3)

19. TheYankee

I'm might also make a few errors as I'm under a bit of pressure. My test it timing out :(

20. TheYankee

*is

21. Nnesha

mhm you got it right *i guess* :|

22. TheYankee

So this is the correct answer?

23. Nnesha
24. Nnesha

i'm sorry but i'm not allowed to help you 'n ur test that is for you!

25. TheYankee

I'm not cheating :( I'm just trying to confirm what I think is right before my test times out. I am trying!

26. TheYankee

It's an openbook.

27. TheYankee

If it wasn't open book, I wouldn't ask :( I just have a really hard time understanding.

28. TheYankee

But if you don't agree, I understand. Thanks anyway :(

29. Nnesha

openbook ) it's not gonna give u the direct answer i'm pretty sure example that is on ur notebook are different from the test

30. Nnesha

:-) gO_Od luck!