Simplifying Fraction: (6x+12y)/(10a+5) * (100a^2-25)/(9x^2-81y^2)

Ok, got it: (3(2x + 4y)(5(4a2 - 1))/(5(2a + 1))(3(x2 - 9y2)) = (2x + 4y)(4a2 - 1)/(2a + 1)(x2 - 9y2)Ok, got it: (3(2x + 4y)(5(4a2 - 1))/(5(2a + 1))(3(x2 - 9y2)) = (2x + 4y)(4a2 - 1)/(2a + 1)(x2 - 9y2)You got it!You can clean it
  • #1
science_rules
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Homework Statement


Simplify (6x+12y)/(10a +5) times (100a2 - 25)/(9x2 - 81y2)

Homework Equations


(6x+12y)/(10a +5) times (100a2 - 25)/(9x2 - 81y2)

The Attempt at a Solution


(6x+12y)/(10a +5) times (100a2 - 25)/(9x2 - 81y2) =
3(2x+4y)/(10a+5) times (4a - 1)/(3x-27y) = (3(2x+4y))(4a-1)/(5(2a+1))(3(x-9y))
I do not know how to simplify this any further.
 
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  • #2
science_rules said:

Homework Statement


Simplify (6x+12y)/(10a +5) times (100a2 - 25)/(9x2 - 81y2)

Homework Equations


(6x+12y)/(10a +5) times (100a2 - 25)/(9x2 - 81y2)

The Attempt at a Solution


(6x+12y)/(10a +5) times (100a2 - 25)/(9x2 - 81y2) =
3(2x+4y)/(10a+5) times (10a - 5)/(3x-9y) = (3(2x+4y))(5(2a-1))/(5(2a-1))(3(x-3y))
I do not know how to simplify this any further.
If you learn a little bit of LaTeX, you can make this look nicer.

How did ##\displaystyle \ \frac{(100a^2-25)}{(9x^2-81y^2)} \ ## become ##\displaystyle \ \frac{(10a-5)}{(3x-9y)} \ ## ?
 
  • #3
SammyS said:
If you learn a little bit of LaTeX, you can make this look nicer.

How did ##\displaystyle \ \frac{(100a^2-25)}{(9x^2-81y^2)} \ ## become ##\displaystyle \ \frac{(10a-5)}{(3x-9y)} \ ## ?
Let me try this again and see what I come up with
 
  • #4
SammyS said:
If you learn a little bit of LaTeX, you can make this look nicer.

How did ##\displaystyle \ \frac{(100a^2-25)}{(9x^2-81y^2)} \ ## become ##\displaystyle \ \frac{(10a-5)}{(3x-9y)} \ ## ?
(6x+12y)/(10a+5) times (100a2 - 25)/(9x2 - 81y2) = (3(x+4y))/(5(2a+1)) times (5(20a2 - 5))/(3(3x2 - 27y2))
 
  • #5
science_rules said:
(6x+12y)/(10a+5) times (100a2 - 25)/(9x2 - 81y2) = (3(x+4y))/(5(2a+1)) times (5(20a2 - 5))/(3(3x2 - 27y2))
Let's look at the individual factors, (individual numerators & denominators).

The first fraction is fine, both numerator & denominator are totally factored.

You can factor out an additional 5 from 100a2 - 25 = 5(20a2 - 5), which will get you back to a difference of squares for one of the factors, and thus can be factored even further.

Similarly, you can factor out an additional 3 from 9x2 - 81y2 = 3(3x2 - 27y2), which will get you back to a difference of squares for one of the factors, and thus can be factored even further.

Then put all into one grand rational expression ("fraction") & do some further cancelling.
 
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  • #6
I think i made a mistake: (3(x+4y))/(5(2a+1)) times (5(20a2 - 5))/(3(3x2 - 27y2))
(3(x+4y)) should have been: (3(2x+4y))
 
  • #7
science_rules said:
I think i made a mistake: (3(x+4y))/(5(2a+1)) times (5(20a2 - 5))/(3(3x2 - 27y2))
(3(x+4y)) should have been: (3(2x+4y))
Right.

You had that part correct previously.
 
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  • #8
SammyS said:
Let's look at the individual factors, (individual numerators & denominators).

The first fraction is fine, both numerator & denominator are totally factored.

You can factor out an additional 5 from 100a2 - 25 = 5(20a2 - 5), which will get you back to a difference of squares for one of the factors, and thus can be factored even further.

Similarly, you can factor out an additional 3 from 9x2 - 81y2 = 3(3x2 - 27y2), which will get you back to a difference of squares for one of the factors, and thus can be factored even further.

Then put all into one grand rational expression ("fraction") & do some further cancelling.

The only factoring I can see to do is: (5(20a2 + 5))/(3(3x2 - 27y2)) = (4a2 +1)/(x2 - 9y2) and then put these together: (3(2x + 4y))(4a2 + 1)/(5(2a +1))(x2-9y2)
 
  • #9
science_rules said:
The only factoring I can see to do is: (5(20a2 + 5))/(3(3x2 - 27y2)) = (4a2 +1)/(x2 - 9y2) and then put these together: (3(2x + 4y))(4a2 + 1)/(5(2a +1))(x2-9y2)
You can't just drop factors for no reason.

Start with 5(20a2 - 5) = 5⋅5(4a2 -1) . (Yes, that is subtraction.)

Do you know how to factor a difference of squares?

Similarly, 3(3x2 - 27y2) = 3⋅3(x2 - 9y2) . Also has a difference of squares.
 
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What is the definition of simplifying a fraction?

Simplifying a fraction means reducing it to its lowest terms by dividing both the numerator and denominator by their greatest common factor.

Why is it important to simplify fractions?

Simplifying fractions makes them easier to work with and understand, and it also allows for easier comparison between different fractions.

How do I simplify a fraction?

To simplify a fraction, find the greatest common factor (GCF) of the numerator and denominator, and divide both numbers by the GCF. The resulting fraction will be in its simplest form.

Can all fractions be simplified?

No, some fractions are already in their simplest form and cannot be simplified further. These are called irreducible or simplified fractions.

What are some common mistakes people make when simplifying fractions?

Some common mistakes include forgetting to divide both the numerator and denominator by the GCF, only simplifying one of the numbers, or dividing by the wrong number.

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