Chapter 8: Problem 79
Perform the operations and simplify, if possible. See Example 9. $$\frac{x+2}{x+5}-\frac{x-3}{x+7}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The simplified result is \( \frac{7x + 29}{(x+5)(x+7)} \).
Step by step solution
01
Identify Common Denominator
To subtract the fractions \( \frac{x+2}{x+5} \) and \( \frac{x-3}{x+7} \), we first need to find a common denominator. The denominators are \( x+5 \) and \( x+7 \). The common denominator is their product: \( (x+5)(x+7) \).
02
Rewrite Each Fraction with Common Denominator
Rewrite each fraction with the common denominator. For \( \frac{x+2}{x+5} \), multiply the numerator and denominator by \( x+7 \):\[ \frac{(x+2)(x+7)}{(x+5)(x+7)} \].For \( \frac{x-3}{x+7} \), multiply the numerator and denominator by \( x+5 \):\[ \frac{(x-3)(x+5)}{(x+7)(x+5)} \].
03
Simplify the Numerators
Expand the numerators:- Expand \( (x+2)(x+7) \):\( x^2 + 7x + 2x + 14 = x^2 + 9x + 14 \).- Expand \( (x-3)(x+5) \):\( x^2 + 5x - 3x - 15 = x^2 + 2x - 15 \).
04
Subtract the Numerators
Subtract the expanded numerators while maintaining the common denominator:\[ \frac{(x^2 + 9x + 14) - (x^2 + 2x - 15)}{(x+5)(x+7)} \].Simplify the numerator:\( (x^2 + 9x + 14) - (x^2 + 2x - 15) = x^2 + 9x + 14 - x^2 - 2x + 15 = 7x + 29 \).
05
Write the Final Expression
Combine the results to get the simplified form:\[ \frac{7x + 29}{(x+5)(x+7)} \].This is the simplified result of the operation.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Common Denominator
When dealing with fractions in algebra, finding a common denominator is crucial, especially when you want to perform operations like addition or subtraction. The common denominator helps you compare or combine fractions by providing a uniform base.
For the algebraic fractions \( \frac{x+2}{x+5} \) and \( \frac{x-3}{x+7} \), the denominators \( x+5 \) and \( x+7 \) don't match, so we can't directly subtract them.
For the algebraic fractions \( \frac{x+2}{x+5} \) and \( \frac{x-3}{x+7} \), the denominators \( x+5 \) and \( x+7 \) don't match, so we can't directly subtract them.
- To find the common denominator, multiply the individual denominators together: \( (x+5)(x+7) \).
- This product ensures both fractions use the same base, making further operations possible.
Simplifying Expressions
Once a common denominator is found, each fraction needs to be rewritten to reflect this new denominator. Simply adjusting one without changing the other would give incorrect results.
To do this properly:
To do this properly:
- Multiply the numerator and denominator of each fraction by the necessary terms to achieve the common denominator.
- For \( \frac{x+2}{x+5} \), multiply both terms by \( x+7 \): \( \frac{(x+2)(x+7)}{(x+5)(x+7)} \).
- For \( \frac{x-3}{x+7} \), multiply both terms by \( x+5 \): \( \frac{(x-3)(x+5)}{(x+7)(x+5)} \).
Subtracting Fractions
Subtracting fractions requires an aligned base, which we've achieved through a common denominator. With that in place, move to subtract the numerators while maintaining the common denominator. Expand each expression in the numerators:
This final expression reflects the fully simplified version of our original subtraction problem, thanks to aligned operations and careful arithmetic.
- \( (x+2)(x+7) \) expands to \( x^2 + 9x + 14 \).
- \( (x-3)(x+5) \) expands to \( x^2 + 2x - 15 \).
- \( (x^2 + 9x + 14) - (x^2 + 2x - 15) \).
- Combine like terms to simplify: \( 7x + 29 \).
This final expression reflects the fully simplified version of our original subtraction problem, thanks to aligned operations and careful arithmetic.