Simplify Fractions: 4x²-6x/(4x²-9)

  • Thread starter Thread starter thomas49th
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Fraction Simplify
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around simplifying the fraction \(\frac{4x^{2}-6x}{4x^{2}-9}\), which falls under the subject area of algebra, specifically focusing on rational expressions and simplification techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to simplify the expression by canceling terms, suggesting that the 4x² can be canceled out. Some participants question this approach, pointing out that it is not permissible to cancel terms in this manner.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants raising concerns about the validity of the original poster's method. There is a focus on clarifying the rules of cancellation in algebraic expressions, and no consensus has been reached yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are addressing the legality of certain algebraic manipulations, indicating a need for clarity on the distinction between factors and terms in the context of simplification.

thomas49th
Messages
645
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Simplify fully the following equation

Homework Equations



[tex]\frac{4x^{2}-6x}{4x^{2}-9}[/tex]


The Attempt at a Solution



the 4x² cancel each other out and 3 goes into 6 and 9
so the answer is
[tex]\frac{-2x}{-3}[/tex]

but that seems to easy for the penultinate question on a higher GCSE paper.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Sorry, but where are you getting the 4x^2 from?
 
Sorry, I missed it out in the equatio above... I've edited it in now

Thanks
 
You can't cancel out the 4x^2 like that! That's an illegal move.
 
Last edited:
You can only cancel out factors! never terms!

attachment.php?attachmentid=9743&stc=1&d=1176312106.jpg
 

Attachments

  • fraction.JPG
    fraction.JPG
    4.6 KB · Views: 522

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
4K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K