Simplify. Express your answer as a single fraction in simplest form.

x
x2+28x+32
+x+6

1 answer

To simplify the expression \(\frac{x}{x^2 + 28x + 32} + (x + 6)\), we need to combine the terms into a single fraction.

  1. First, factor \(x^2 + 28x + 32\). We can look for two numbers that multiply to \(32\) and add to \(28\). The numbers \(2\) and \(16\) work, so we can write:

    \[ x^2 + 28x + 32 = (x + 2)(x + 16) \]

  2. Rewrite the expression using this factorization:

    \[ \frac{x}{(x + 2)(x + 16)} + (x + 6) \]

  3. To combine the terms, we want a common denominator, which will be \((x + 2)(x + 16)\). We rewrite \((x + 6)\) with the common denominator:

    \[ (x + 6) = \frac{(x + 6) \cdot (x + 2)(x + 16)}{(x + 2)(x + 16)} \]

    So we multiply the numerator:

    \[ (x + 6) \cdot (x + 2)(x + 16) = (x + 6)(x^2 + 18x + 32) \]

  4. Now we can express the entire expression with a common denominator:

    \[ \frac{x + (x + 6)(x^2 + 18x + 32)}{(x + 2)(x + 16)} \]

  5. Next, we focus on simplifying the numerator. Expanding \((x + 6)(x^2 + 18x + 32)\):

    \[ (x + 6)(x^2 + 18x + 32) = x(x^2 + 18x + 32) + 6(x^2 + 18x + 32) \]

    \[ = x^3 + 18x^2 + 32x + 6x^2 + 108x + 192 \]

    \[ = x^3 + (18x^2 + 6x^2) + (32x + 108x) + 192 \]

    \[ = x^3 + 24x^2 + 140x + 192 \]

  6. Now include the original term \(x\):

    \[ = x + x^3 + 24x^2 + 140x + 192 = x^3 + 24x^2 + 141x + 192 \]

  7. So, we have:

    \[ \frac{x^3 + 24x^2 + 141x + 192}{(x + 2)(x + 16)} \]

  8. Now, check if the numerator can be factored further. The polynomial \(x^3 + 24x^2 + 141x + 192\) might be factored if we can find a root using the Rational Root Theorem.

    Let's test simple integer roots like \(-2\):

    \[ (-2)^3 + 24(-2)^2 + 141(-2) + 192 = -8 + 96 - 282 + 192 = -8 + 96 - 282 + 192 = -2 \quad (Not\ a\ root) \]

    Testing \( -4 \):

    \[ (-4)^3 + 24(-4)^2 + 141(-4) + 192 = -64 + 384 - 564 + 192 = -52 \quad (Not\ a\ root) \]

    After checking possible rational roots, you can factor or use polynomial division, but this process often requires trial and error or using a direct factoring method.

  9. Without finding factors at this stage, we finally arrive at the result:

    \[ \frac{x^3 + 24x^2 + 141x + 192}{(x + 2)(x + 16)} \]

  10. This fraction should be simplified (if possible), but if no simple factors can be established, we keep the answer as:

\[ \frac{x^3 + 24x^2 + 141x + 192}{(x + 2)(x + 16)} \]

The expression cannot be further simplified without specific polynomial roots. Thus, we express it as is.

Final Answer:

\[ \frac{x^3 + 24x^2 + 141x + 192}{(x + 2)(x + 16)} \]