Simplify:

Question

this is a triple decker fraction

1/a + 1/c divided by

a^2 - c^2 divided by

ac

I am stuck on this one please help.

Answer 1

The answer depends upon which division is done first. For example:
(a/b)/c = a/(bc), but
a/(b/c) = ca/b
They are NOT the same.

You need to clarify the sequence of operations

If you write 1/a + 1/c as (a+c)/ac, and a^2 - c^2 = (a+c)(a-c)
you can get some cancellations and simplify the expression.

Answer 2

I am not sure how else to put this one on this forum to clarify the sequence, so thank you for your help