rational expressions

[Moon Rabbits]

Simplify.

(7y^2 / y^2 - 9) * (4y + 2 / 14y^2)

[Tavrobel]

Begin by distributing terms to both the numerator and the denominator. Since this is multiplication, there shouldn't be anything wrong with that.

(7y²)(4y) + (7y²)(2) / (4y²)(y²) - (4y²)(9)

Combine like terms, if applicable. Then simplify.

(28y³+14y²) / (4y⁴-36y²)

Since we have a Y squared in every term, remove them from the problem.

(28y+14) / (4y²-36)

Factor 14 from the top (optional step).

14*(2y+1) / (4y²-36)

Factor out 2 from both the top and the bottom.

7*(2y+1) / (2y²-18)

Optionally:
Factor out a 2 from the bottom. That leaves you with a difference of squares.

7(2y+1) / 2(y²-9)
7(2y+1) / 2(y+3)(y-3)

If you need to do something else with the problem, now would be the time to do so.

Math sucks. Your only hope is suicide.

[rubah]

It'd be a lot easier if you divided seven y squared by fourteen y squared at the onset, leaving you with a 2 in the denominator :]] Then you just have (2y-1)/(y-3)(y+3) don't you?

[Tavrobel]

Ohh . I misread it as 4y^2. Waah.

[crono_logical]

It'd be a lot easier if you divided seven y squared by fourteen y squared at the onset, leaving you with a 2 in the denominator :]] Then you just have (2y-1)/(y-3)(y+3) don't you?

Where'd the 2y-1 come from, rubah?

[o_O]

Yeah, Allie.

Here's the working for anyone that wants it:
<pre>(7y² / y² - 9) * (4y + 2 / 14y²)
= (7y² / 14y²) * (4y + 2 / y² - 9) Rearranging the terms into a more desirable order, by commutativity.
= (1 / 2) * (4y + 2 / y² - 9) Reducing left multiplicand.
= (4y + 2 / 2y² - 18) Multiplying multiplicands.
= (2y + 1 / y² - 9) Reducing again.
= (2y + 1) / (y + 3)(y - 3) Factorising.
</pre>

[blackmage_nuke]

If you take the 2 out of 4y+2 to get 2(2y+1) then use that 2 to multiply with the 7y^2 to get 14y^2 then that cancels out with the 14y^2 on the bottom and your left with what o_O said

edit: and put your brackets correctly. i guess most people assume you meant
(7y^2 / (y^2 - 9)) * ((4y + 2) / 14y^2)

But sometimes that wont be so obvious

[rubah]

It'd be a lot easier if you divided seven y squared by fourteen y squared at the onset, leaving you with a 2 in the denominator :]] Then you just have (2y-1)/(y-3)(y+3) don't you?

Where'd the 2y-1 come from, rubah?

gosh, didn't you see the +2 right afterwards? I must have forgotten it 8)

[Flying Mullet]

Similar approach to what's above.

(7y^2 / y^2 - 9) * (4y + 2 / 14y^2)

= (7y^2 / y^2 - 9) * (2y + 1 / 7y^2) - factor out a 2 from the second fraction

= (1/ y^2 - 9) * (2y + 1 / 1) = cancel the 7y^2

= (2y + 1) / (y^2 - 9) = multiply

= (2y + 1) / (y +/- 3)^2 = factor the denominator if need be

[crono_logical]

Though once you get good at it, you can do these in your head

[Tavrobel]

But only if you copy down the problem correctly.

[Flying Mullet]

Details, details...

[o_O]

If you're good enough at maths, you can solve things even if you have the wrong problem to begin with.

[rubah]

*bad enough

[geeknick]

I was wondering, in this question to simplifying rational expressions ??

Find (-6x^2 - 4xy + 8x)/(2x)

do they want me to find out what the variables are, or do they want me
to do something else with it? That is the exact way they have the
question written down.