Basic Equation Stuck?

Hi,
I am stuck on a specific part of an equation, the equation is as follows;

Simplify (x^1/2 +1) (x^2 - x -2) (x -2)^-1

I am basically stuck on the last part (x -2)^-1, how would I go about simplifying this.

Help would be appriciated
Dominic

phyzguy
Try factoring the (x^2-x-2) term.

I'm not sure exactly how simple you want it, do you want to remove variables from the bottom or are you okay with setting restrictions? You changed (x-2)^2 to 1/x-2 that's always a start then you can divide x-2 into something later HINT HINT.

Here's what I came up with

X/(2+1) * (x^2 - x -2) * 1/(x-2)
Factor this ^

x/3 * (x+1) * (x-2) * 1/(x-2)
You can then cancel out the x-2, and you're left with

(x/3) * (x+1) * 1

(x^2 + x) / 3

That's as simple as I could get it.

Mark44
Mentor
Hi,
I am stuck on a specific part of an equation, the equation is as follows;

Simplify (x^1/2 +1) (x^2 - x -2) (x -2)^-1
This is NOT an equation. An equation always has an = symbol.

You need a pair of parentheses around the exponent. I believe you mean x^(1/2). Omitting the parentheses has confused one of the people responding to this thread.

$$(\sqrt{x} + 1)\frac{x^2 - x - 2}{x - 2}$$

As already suggested, factor the x2 - x - 2 expression.

I am basically stuck on the last part (x -2)^-1, how would I go about simplifying this.

Help would be appriciated
Dominic

This is NOT an equation. An equation always has an = symbol.

You need a pair of parentheses around the exponent. I believe you mean x^(1/2). Omitting the parentheses has confused one of the people responding to this thread.

$$(\sqrt{x} + 1)\frac{x^2 - x - 2}{x - 2}$$

As already suggested, factor the x2 - x - 2 expression.

Thanks for the help,
Dominic

Here's what I came up with

X/(2+1) * (x^2 - x -2) * 1/(x-2)
Factor this ^

x/3 * (x+1) * (x-2) * 1/(x-2)
You can then cancel out the x-2, and you're left with

(x/3) * (x+1) * 1

(x^2 + x) / 3

That's as simple as I could get it.

Thanks