Master Simplifying Skills: How to Simplify Complex Equations

  • Thread starter Thread starter 1calculus1
  • Start date Start date
AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on simplifying the equation 2h + (16/(h-8) + 2)(-8/(h-8)^2) into 2h - 128/(h-8)^3 - 16/(h-8)^2. Key points include the multiplication of constants, where 128 is derived from 16 multiplied by -8, and -16 from 2 multiplied by -8. The confusion arises around the transformation of (h-8) into (h-8)^3, which is clarified by explaining that multiplying (h-8) by (h-8)^2 results in adding the exponents. The final expression is confirmed as 2h - 128/(h-8)^3 - 16/(h-8)^2, resolving the original query. The explanation emphasizes the importance of understanding exponent rules in simplification.
1calculus1
Messages
39
Reaction score
0
Simple Math-- Need help =/

1. Homework Statement [/b
I am confused on how this equation:
2h + (16/h-8 +2) (-8/(h-8)^2
is simplified to this equation:
2h - 128 (h-8)^3 - 16/(h-8)^2

Homework Equations



Simplifying skills.

The Attempt at a Solution



Well, I know that they got the number 128 from multiplying 16 and -8 together and how they got -16 by multiplying 2 and -8 together. Now, what I don't get is getting (h-8)^3 from (h-8)... SOMEONE PLEASE HELP?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
If you have (A + B) * -C

and you want to expand it out you do -A*C - B*C ...do you see?

in your question A = 16/(h-8)

also if you have (1/y)(2/y^2)

you'll get 2/y^3

the top multiplied together and the bottom multiplied together... do you see?
 
do you mean that 2h - 128/(h-8)^3 - 16/(h-8)^2? if you meant that, then the (h-8)^3 comes from multiplying (h-8) times ( h-8)^2, what you do is you add the exponents.

It is like x times x, you add the exponents if the bases are the same, it becomes x^2, 5 times 5 is 5^2.
 
I'll be right back. I'm at school right now and bell is going to ring soon. Thanks for the replies, I'll look into it once I get home.
 
2h+( \frac{16}{h-8} + 2 ) ( \frac{-8}{(h-8)^2} )

let x = \frac{-8}{(h-8)^2}, then:

2h+( \frac{16}{h-8} + 2 ) x

2h+ \frac{16}{h-8} \times x + 2 \times x

sub x = \frac{-8}{(h-8)^2} back in:

2h+ \frac{16}{h-8} \times \frac{-8}{(h-8)^2} + 2 \times \frac{-8}{(h-8)^2}

2h+ \frac{16 \times (-8)}{(h-8) \times (h-8)^2} + \frac{2 \times (-8)}{(h-8)^2}

2h+ \frac{-128}{(h-8)^3} + \frac{-16}{(h-8)^2}

Does that clear it up?
 
Last edited:
I picked up this problem from the Schaum's series book titled "College Mathematics" by Ayres/Schmidt. It is a solved problem in the book. But what surprised me was that the solution to this problem was given in one line without any explanation. I could, therefore, not understand how the given one-line solution was reached. The one-line solution in the book says: The equation is ##x \cos{\omega} +y \sin{\omega} - 5 = 0##, ##\omega## being the parameter. From my side, the only thing I could...
Essentially I just have this problem that I'm stuck on, on a sheet about complex numbers: Show that, for ##|r|<1,## $$1+r\cos(x)+r^2\cos(2x)+r^3\cos(3x)...=\frac{1-r\cos(x)}{1-2r\cos(x)+r^2}$$ My first thought was to express it as a geometric series, where the real part of the sum of the series would be the series you see above: $$1+re^{ix}+r^2e^{2ix}+r^3e^{3ix}...$$ The sum of this series is just: $$\frac{(re^{ix})^n-1}{re^{ix} - 1}$$ I'm having some trouble trying to figure out what to...
Back
Top