Another one.

Question

Another one. 
I get real confused with all this 
Multiply, Simplify if possible 
3x^3/11q^3 * 121q^6/9x
the answer I got was 
363q^6x^3/99q^3x
can you please show me how if it is wrong

jim · Answer

Your answer is absolutely right, but just not yet simplified.

You should see that you can divide by 3 top and bottom. That reduces the constants to 121 and 33.

Now look at the x and q terms without the constants:

x^3q^6
------
xq^3

Can you divide top and bottom by x? By q? By q again?

Anonymous · Answer

so it is 121q^3x^2/33

jim · Answer

Yes! When you get confused because there are just too many letters and numbers, try to isolate them and look at one at a time. The secret of success is getting used to being confused. :-)

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you

jim · Answer

You're welcome.

Anonymous · Answer

I was wondering is this right by factoring here is a example of what I am learning
x^2-5x-24/x^2-6x+9 * x-3/x-8
the answer that they got was
x+3/x-3
I am so confused because there are two examples and I am not sure what is right

jim · Answer

x^2-5x-24 = (x-8)(x+3)
x^2-6x+9 = (x-3)(x-3)

Make sure you understand these two first!

Factoting x^2 + ax + b, you look for two numbers that ADD to a, but MULTIPLY to b. So in the first case, 6*4 = 24, but they don't add to 5, no matter where I put the minus. But -8 * 3 and -8 + 3 give me the answer I want.

I don't get the answer you give for the whole expression. Are the brackets in the right place?

jim · Answer

Ah. I see. I was reading it differently. (x^2-5x-24) (x-3) --------- * ------ (x^2-6x+9) (x-8) = ((x-8)(x+3)(x-3))/((x-3)(x-3)(x-8)) x-8 and x-3 cancel top and bottom, and leave you with: (x+3)/(x-3)