/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 38 Simplify each rational expressio... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

Simplify each rational expression. If the rational expression cannot be simplified, so state. $$\frac{x+2}{x^{2}-x-6}$$

Short Answer

Expert verified
The simplified form of the rational expression is \(\frac{1}{x-3}\).

Step by step solution

01

Factorizing the Denominator

Begin by factorizing the denominator \(x^2 -x - 6\). The factors of -6 are -1 and 6, 1 and -6, -2 and 3, or 2 and -3. The pair -3 and 2 sums to -1, which corresponds to the middle term, hence can be used to factorize. So, the factored expression will be \((x-3)(x+2)\).
02

Comparing Common Factors

Examine the numerator and the denominator for common factors. Here, \(x + 2\) is a common factor in both the numerator and the denominator.
03

Simplifying the expression

Cancel out the common factor of \(x + 2\) in the numerator and the denominator. This simplifies the rational expression to \(\frac{1}{x-3}\). If the numerator doesn't factorize to the same terms as the denominator or contains no common factors, then state that the rational expression cannot be simplified.

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