Math Problem Statement

Simplify the expression: (a² - 4a - 5) / (2a² - 50) * (2a - 2) / (3a + 3)

Solution

The expression shown is:

a24a52a2502a23a+3\frac{a^2 - 4a - 5}{2a^2 - 50} \cdot \frac{2a - 2}{3a + 3}

Let's simplify the expression step by step:

  1. Factorize each term where possible:

    • The numerator a24a5a^2 - 4a - 5 can be factored as: a24a5=(a5)(a+1)a^2 - 4a - 5 = (a - 5)(a + 1)

    • The denominator 2a2502a^2 - 50 can be factored by factoring out the common factor of 2: 2a250=2(a225)=2(a5)(a+5)2a^2 - 50 = 2(a^2 - 25) = 2(a - 5)(a + 5)

    • The numerator 2a22a - 2 can be factored by factoring out the common factor of 2: 2a2=2(a1)2a - 2 = 2(a - 1)

    • The denominator 3a+33a + 3 can be factored by factoring out the common factor of 3: 3a+3=3(a+1)3a + 3 = 3(a + 1)

  2. Rewrite the expression with the factored terms: (a5)(a+1)2(a5)(a+5)2(a1)3(a+1)\frac{(a - 5)(a + 1)}{2(a - 5)(a + 5)} \cdot \frac{2(a - 1)}{3(a + 1)}

  3. Cancel common factors:

    • The factor a5a - 5 appears in both the numerator and denominator, so it cancels out.
    • The factor a+1a + 1 appears in both the numerator and denominator, so it cancels out.
    • The factor of 2 in the second fraction numerator cancels with the factor of 2 in the first fraction denominator.

    After canceling, we are left with: a13(a+5)\frac{a - 1}{3(a + 5)}

Thus, the simplified expression is:

a13(a+5)\frac{a - 1}{3(a + 5)}

Would you like more details or have any questions about this?

Related Questions:

  1. What happens if a=5a = -5 in the simplified expression?
  2. How can you solve this expression for aa if it equals a particular value?
  3. What are some applications of factoring quadratic expressions like these?
  4. Could you simplify other algebraic expressions similarly?
  5. How would the expression change if the coefficients in the numerator or denominator changed?

Tip:

Always check for common factors between numerators and denominators before multiplying or simplifying! This helps reduce the complexity early on.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Factoring Quadratics
Simplifying Algebraic Expressions
Cancellation of Common Factors

Formulas

Factoring Quadratic Equations: ax² + bx + c
Simplification Techniques: Fraction Reduction

Theorems

Factor Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

High School