# How do I simplify this fraction?

## Homework Statement

Simplify the following expression by rewriting it as a single simple fraction in simplest form:

## Homework Equations

not much just factoring and solving for P

## The Attempt at a Solution

I tried to factor the fractions by multiplying the denominators with the numerators and after much writing on paper I came up with : (p+5)/(p^2-16) , I also came up with : (fp^2+p)/(p^3-16p)

I'm stumped here as to how much I have to factor or simplify or even even I did it right?

Related Precalculus Mathematics Homework Help News on Phys.org
You are right in the sense that you need a common denominator..

Would this help?

5/(p+4) - 5/p(p-2) + 4/(p-4)(p+4)

it's supposed to be "5/p(p-4)" but I've done it with ALOT of writing, this stuff fills up your page fast doesn't it?

Well if you got it, who cares? Haha

Dick
Homework Helper
it's supposed to be "5/p(p-4)" but I've done it with ALOT of writing, this stuff fills up your page fast doesn't it?
It can. But 5/(p(p-4)) isn't right. Putting p=1 in your original expression I get 12/5. Putting p=1 into 5/(p(p-4)) gives -5/3. That isn't right. Is there a typo?

It can. But 5/(p(p-4)) isn't right. Putting p=1 in your original expression I get 12/5. Putting p=1 into 5/(p(p-4)) gives -5/3. That isn't right. Is there a typo?
I don't know dick but I got the answer figured out after doing some more thinking, if you guys want to see a solution just wolfram alpha it.. I didn't do it that way though..

Mentallic
Homework Helper
I don't know dick but I got the answer figured out after doing some more thinking, if you guys want to see a solution just wolfram alpha it.. I didn't do it that way though..
Well I hope you didn't get 5/(p(p-4)) as the answer, because it's not right!

symbolipoint
Homework Helper
Gold Member
Lowest Common Denominator is $p(p+4)(p-4)$.

Multiply each rational term by 1 using the suitable factors from the LCD,
$\frac{5}{(p+4)}\frac{p(p-4)}{p(p-4)}-\frac{5}{p(p-4)}\frac{p+4}{p+4}+\frac{4}{(p+4)(p-4)}\frac{p}{p}$

Perform the needed multiplications for the numerator and look for any further simplifications.

Well I hope you didn't get 5/(p(p-4)) as the answer, because it's not right!
nono! I said that because somone else wrote the wrong thing and stuff.