Hello Everyone! Solving Factors: Simplifying Algebraic Fraction

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter danne89
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Factors Simplify
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the simplification of an algebraic fraction involving limits and the variable \(\Delta x\). Participants explore methods for simplifying the expression and clarify steps in the process.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks help in simplifying the expression \(\frac{\frac{1}{x+\Delta x}-\frac{1}{x}+ \frac{1}{x^2}\Delta x}{\Delta x}\) and requests the name of the method used.
  • Another participant suggests finding a common denominator to simplify the expression.
  • A participant presents a new form of the numerator as \(\frac{x^2\Delta x}{x^3+x^2\Delta x}\) and questions whether this is an improvement.
  • Another participant critiques the previous steps, indicating that parentheses were omitted and provides a detailed breakdown of the simplification process, ultimately leading to the expression \(\frac{h}{((x + h)x^2)}\) after division by \(h\).
  • A later reply expresses understanding and appreciation for the clarification provided.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion reflects a progression of ideas with some participants agreeing on the steps taken to simplify the expression, while others express uncertainty about earlier claims and corrections made to the simplification process.

Contextual Notes

Some steps in the simplification process are noted to be incomplete or lacking clarity, particularly regarding the handling of parentheses and the variable definitions.

danne89
Messages
180
Reaction score
0
Hi! I'm new to those forums, so I just want to say "Hello everbody!". To my question: How can I simplify [tex]\frac{\frac{1}{x+\Delta x}-\frac{1}{x}+ \frac{1}{x^2}\Delta x}{\Delta x}[/tex] I've spent some hours on google, but no result. Just tell me the name of the method and I'm really gratefull!
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
First simplify [itex]\frac{1}{x+\Delta x}-\frac{1}{x}+ \frac{1}{x^2}\Delta x}[/itex] by finding a common denominator.
 
Hmm... Now I've [tex]\frac{x^2\Delta x}{x^3+x^2\Delta x}[/tex] for the nominator. Is that an inprovment?
 
Last edited:
Well, yes, but I'm afraid it's wrong. This is very sloppily written (I've left out some parantheses), and h = delta x:

1/(x+h) - 1/x + h/x^2 =
x^2/x^2(x+h) - x(x + h)/x^2(x + h) + h(x + h)/(x + h)x^2 =
( x^2 - x(x + h) + h(x + h) ) / ((x + h)x^2) =
( x^2 - x^2 - xh + hx + h^2 ) / ((x + h)x^2) =
h^2 / ((x + h)x^2).

Upon division by h, we get

(1/(x+h) - 1/x + h/x^2) / h = h / ((x + h)x^2).
 
Ah, nice. I think I got it now. Thanks!
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
4K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K