Question

Simplify.

1. x^2 - 1/2x^2 - x - 1
2. x^2 - 16/x^2 - 6x + 8
3. 6x^2 + 4x/2x^2 + 4x

My answers:
1. ???
2. x+4/x-2
3. 3x?

Answer 1

For #1, i cannot figure out what 2x^2 - x - 1 factored is

Answer 2

I'm sure you can factor
x^2-x-2, no?
This is the same things
(2x+1)(x-1)

Not quite sure what it has to do with #1, though

#2 ok

#3. Since the top and bottom are of equal degree, there should be no unbalanced x's between the top and bottom

(6x^2+4x)/(2x^2+4x)
= 2x(3x+2) / 2x(x+2)
= (3x+2)/(x+2)
You can't just cancel the 2's. That's like saying that

8/7 = (6+2)/(5+2) = 6/5

Answer 3

thank you!