# Simplifying Fractions?

Hey, I need some help with simplifying these fractions.

(3x-6)/(x^2-3x+2) - (x^2-1)/(x^2-4x+4)

Im not quite sure what to do with the denominators. Am I supposed to change them to special forms? What is the process of making these a single fraction?

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I would love to help you but It’s nearly impossible to tell what you mean!
3x-6/x^2-3x+2 - x^2-1/x^2-4x+4 could mean a ton of things, for example:

(3x-6/x^2)-3x+2 –( x^2-1)/(x^2-4x+4)
or
3x- (6/x^2) -3x+2 - x^2- (1/x^2) -4x+4

If I had to guess I would suspect you mean:
(3x-6)/(x^2-3x+2) – (x^2-1)/(x^2-4x+4)

If so factor the numerator and the denominator of each of these fractions.

HallsofIvy
Homework Helper
Hey, I need some help with simplifying these fractions.

(3x-6)/(x^2-3x+2) - (x^2-1)/(x^2-4x+4)

Im not quite sure what to do with the denominators. Am I supposed to change them to special forms? What is the process of making these a single fraction?
Here, $x^2- 3x+ 2= (x- 2)(x- 1)$ and $(x^2- 4x+ 4)= (x- 2)^2$. The "least common denominator would be $(x- 2)^2(x- 1)$. You can get that by multiplying both numerator and denominator of the first fraction by x- 2 and multiplying both numerator and denominator of the second fraction by x- 1.