Can this fraction be simplified further?

  • Thread starter Thread starter trollcast
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Fraction
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the simplification of a mathematical fraction involving polynomials, specifically examining the expression $$\frac{60x^{4}-240x}{3x^{4}+x^{3}-14x^{2}+4x+8}$$ and whether it can be reduced to another form.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the validity of simplifying the original fraction and question the correctness of a proposed simplified form. There is a focus on comparing the degrees of the polynomials involved.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on the simplification process, indicating that the original fraction may already be in its simplest form. Others have noted the importance of polynomial degree comparison in determining relationships between the expressions.

Contextual Notes

There is an acknowledgment of the need to show steps taken in the simplification process to clarify any misunderstandings. Participants are also considering the implications of polynomial degrees in their reasoning.

trollcast
Gold Member
Messages
282
Reaction score
13

Homework Statement



The answer to one of my maths questions is;

$$\frac{60x^{4}-240x}{3x^{4}+x^{3}-14x^{2}+4x+8} $$

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



Can this be simplified to;

$$\frac{20x^{4}-60x}{x^{3}-14x^{2}+8} $$
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The first fraction you show seems to be in the simplest form. It can't be simplified to the 2nd fraction. If you want to know where you went wrong, you might try showing the steps you took to get there.
 
One indication that they are not related is the first fraction has equal degrees (4), while the second does not (4, 3).
 
Thanks, I forgot about comparing the degree of the polynominals to check my answer.

I know the steps before it are right, I was just checking I'd got the answer into its simplest form.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K