can someone show me these steps with the division like
2
---
1 which would mean half. the following though. so i can see it.
Simplify
3
--- + 1
x-5
-----------
1 - (4)/(x-5)
Get least common denominator.
For top part, the LCD is x-5. So the 1 becomes (x-5)/(x-5). Thus the top becomes (3 + x - 5)/(x - 5). This simplifies to (x-2)/(x-5).
Now do the bottom. The LCD is x-5. So the 1 becomes (x-5)/(x-5). So, the whole bottom part becomes (x-5-4)/(x-5).
This simplifies to (x-9)/(x-5).
Now you have complex fraction, where the top is: (x-2)/(x-5); and the bottom is (x-9)/(x-5). The (x-5)'s cancel, so you're left with:
(x-2)/(x-9).
I got the same answer. Hope I didn't make a mistake.
The top part, however, is not 1/2. It is 2.
Matt
Just to make sure, I added a random # in for x (7)
Both answers came to -2.5
Matt