Chapter 7: Problem 63
Divide and, if possible, simplify. $$\frac{25 x^{2}-4}{x^{2}-9} \div \frac{2-5 x}{x+3}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
\(\frac{-5x - 2}{x - 3}\)
Step by step solution
01
- Rewrite the Division as Multiplication
To divide by a fraction, multiply by its reciprocal. Rewrite the expression as follows:\[\frac{25x^2 - 4}{x^2 - 9} \times \frac{x+3}{2 - 5x}\]
02
- Factor the Numerators and Denominators
Factorize each polynomial in the numerators and denominators where possible.Notice that:1. \(25x^2 - 4\) = \((5x)^2 - 2^2\) = \((5x - 2)(5x + 2)\) (difference of squares).2. \(x^2 - 9\) = \(x^2 - 3^2\) = \((x - 3)(x + 3)\) (difference of squares).3. \(2 - 5x\) can be written as \(-1(5x - 2)\).4. \(x + 3\) remains the same.The expression transforms into:\[\frac{(5x - 2)(5x + 2)}{(x - 3)(x + 3)} \times \frac{x + 3}{-1(5x - 2)}\]
03
- Simplify the Expression
Now, cancel out common factors in the numerators and denominators:1. \((5x - 2)\) cancels out. 2. \((x + 3)\) cancels out.This simplifies the expression to:\[\frac{5x + 2}{-1(x - 3)}\]
04
- Simplify the Final Expression
Simplify \(\frac{5x + 2}{-1(x - 3)}\) to \(\frac{-(5x + 2)}{x - 3}\). Finally, this becomes:\[\frac{-(5x + 2)}{x - 3}\]or \[\frac{-5x - 2}{x - 3}\]
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Division of Fractions
Division of fractions initially seems challenging, but there's a straightforward method to tackle it. When you divide by a fraction, you multiply by its reciprocal. The reciprocal of a fraction is created by swapping its numerator and denominator. For instance, for a fraction \(\frac{a}{b}\), the reciprocal is \(\frac{b}{a}\). Applying this to our problem, \(\frac{25 x^2 - 4}{x^2 - 9} \div \frac{2 - 5 x}{x + 3}\) means we rewrite it as \(\frac{25 x^2 - 4}{x^2 - 9} \times \frac{x + 3}{2 - 5 x}\). Now, we've transformed a division problem into a multiplication problem, making it easier to handle.
Factoring Polynomials
Factoring polynomials helps us break down complex expressions into simpler components. It involves writing a polynomial as the product of its factors. In our example, we have the polynomials \(\frac{25 x^2 - 4}{x^2 - 9}\). Both numerators and denominators can be simplified. \(\frac{25 x^2 - 4}{x^2 - 9}\) demonstrates a difference of squares:
- \(25 x^2 - 4\) becomes \((5x - 2)(5x + 2)\)
- \(x^2 - 9\) becomes \((x - 3)(x + 3)\)
Simplification
Simplification aims to reduce an expression to its simplest form. After factoring, we cancel out common factors in the numerator and denominator. Consider our rewritten expression \(\frac{(5x - 2)(5x + 2)}{(x - 3)(x + 3)} \times \frac{x + 3}{-1(5x - 2)}\). We can observe that both \((5x - 2)\) and \((x + 3)\) are present in the numerator and denominator, allowing us to cancel them out. As a result, the expression simplifies to \(\frac{5x + 2}{-1(x - 3)}\). By simplifying further, we multiply the denominator by -1, obtaining \(\frac{-(5x + 2)}{x - 3}\). Thus, we achieve the simplest possible form.
Reciprocal
The concept of the reciprocal is essential in the division of fractions. It's critical to understand that the reciprocal of a number \(\frac{a}{b}\) is \(\frac{b}{a}\). This principle transforms a division problem into a multiplication problem, making it much simpler to work with. In our exercise, the reciprocal of \(\frac{2 - 5 x}{x + 3}\) is \(\frac{x + 3}{2 - 5 x}\). Factoring further reveals \(\frac{-1(5x - 2)}{x + 3}\). By swapping the numerator and denominator, we convert division into multiplication and apply the reciprocal. Mastering this concept will enhance your efficiency in handling fraction operations.