Expressions
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ACT Math › Expressions
Simplify:
Explanation
Always start the simplification of rational expressions with quadratic denominators by factoring the denominator that has a squared element:
Thus, we need to multiply the numerator and denominator of the first term by :
Distribute:
This is simply:
You cannot factor the top in any way that would help you to cancel anything. Therefore, the answer stands as it does. You need to FOIL the denominator back out, as your correct answer is in that form:
Which of the following expressions is equivalent to 4x2 + 10x – 6?
2(2x – 1)(x + 3)
2(2x +1)(x – 3)
(4x + 2)(x – 3)
(2x – 2)(2x + 3)
(2x +1)(2x – 6)
Explanation
First, pull out a common factor of 2 to get 2(2x2 + 5x – 3). Then factor the quadratic so that the x terms add to 5x and the numbers multiply to - 3, resulting in 2(2x – 1)(x + 3).
Simplify:
Explanation
Always start the simplification of rational expressions with quadratic denominators by factoring the denominator that has a squared element:
Thus, we need to multiply the numerator and denominator of the first term by :
Distribute:
This is simply:
You cannot factor the top in any way that would help you to cancel anything. Therefore, the answer stands as it does. You need to FOIL the denominator back out, as your correct answer is in that form:
Simplify the expression, leaving no radicals in the denominator:
Explanation
The easy way to solve this problem is to multiply both halves of the fraction by the conjugate of the denominator, since this will eliminate the radical in the denominator.
Conjugate the fraction.
Next, simplify the fraction, eliminating any terms you can along the way.
Thus, is our answer.
Which of the following expressions is equivalent to 4x2 + 10x – 6?
2(2x – 1)(x + 3)
2(2x +1)(x – 3)
(4x + 2)(x – 3)
(2x – 2)(2x + 3)
(2x +1)(2x – 6)
Explanation
First, pull out a common factor of 2 to get 2(2x2 + 5x – 3). Then factor the quadratic so that the x terms add to 5x and the numbers multiply to - 3, resulting in 2(2x – 1)(x + 3).
Simplify:
Explanation
Always start the simplification of rational expressions with quadratic denominators by factoring the denominator that has a squared element:
Thus, we need to multiply the numerator and denominator of the first term by :
Distribute:
This is simply:
You cannot factor the top in any way that would help you to cancel anything. Therefore, the answer stands as it does. You need to FOIL the denominator back out, as your correct answer is in that form:
Simplify the following expression:
Explanation
In order to add fractions, we must first make sure they have the same denominator.
So, we multiply by
and get the following:
Then, we add across the numerators and simplify:
Which of the following expressions is equivalent to 4x2 + 10x – 6?
2(2x – 1)(x + 3)
2(2x +1)(x – 3)
(4x + 2)(x – 3)
(2x – 2)(2x + 3)
(2x +1)(2x – 6)
Explanation
First, pull out a common factor of 2 to get 2(2x2 + 5x – 3). Then factor the quadratic so that the x terms add to 5x and the numbers multiply to - 3, resulting in 2(2x – 1)(x + 3).
Simplify the following expression:
Explanation
In order to add fractions, we must first make sure they have the same denominator.
So, we multiply by
and get the following:
Then, we add across the numerators and simplify:
Simplify the following expression:
Explanation
In order to add fractions, we must first make sure they have the same denominator.
So, we multiply by
and get the following:
Then, we add across the numerators and simplify: