Math Problem Statement

Simplify the following complex rational expression.

1/5y + 1/z-5 / 1/2z + 5y/2z^2-10z

Solution

Let's simplify the given complex rational expression step by step.

The expression is:

15y+1z512z+5y2z210z\frac{\frac{1}{5y} + \frac{1}{z-5}}{\frac{1}{2z} + \frac{5y}{2z^2 - 10z}}

Step 1: Simplify the denominator

Start by simplifying the denominator 12z+5y2z210z\frac{1}{2z} + \frac{5y}{2z^2 - 10z}.

Notice that the term 2z210z2z^2 - 10z can be factored as:

2z210z=2z(z5)2z^2 - 10z = 2z(z - 5)

So, the denominator becomes:

12z+5y2z(z5)\frac{1}{2z} + \frac{5y}{2z(z - 5)}

Now, to add these fractions, we need a common denominator. The least common denominator (LCD) is 2z(z5)2z(z - 5). Rewrite both fractions with this common denominator:

12z=z52z(z5),5y2z(z5)=5y2z(z5)\frac{1}{2z} = \frac{z - 5}{2z(z - 5)}, \quad \frac{5y}{2z(z - 5)} = \frac{5y}{2z(z - 5)}

Now, add these two fractions:

z52z(z5)+5y2z(z5)=z5+5y2z(z5)\frac{z - 5}{2z(z - 5)} + \frac{5y}{2z(z - 5)} = \frac{z - 5 + 5y}{2z(z - 5)}

Step 2: Simplify the numerator

Now simplify the numerator 15y+1z5\frac{1}{5y} + \frac{1}{z - 5}.

The common denominator here is 5y(z5)5y(z - 5). Rewrite both fractions:

15y=z55y(z5),1z5=5y5y(z5)\frac{1}{5y} = \frac{z - 5}{5y(z - 5)}, \quad \frac{1}{z - 5} = \frac{5y}{5y(z - 5)}

Adding them gives:

z5+5y5y(z5)\frac{z - 5 + 5y}{5y(z - 5)}

Step 3: Combine everything

Now, we have:

z5+5y5y(z5)z5+5y2z(z5)\frac{\frac{z - 5 + 5y}{5y(z - 5)}}{\frac{z - 5 + 5y}{2z(z - 5)}}

Cancel the common terms (z5+5y)(z - 5 + 5y) from the numerator and denominator:

15y÷12z=2z5y\frac{1}{5y} \div \frac{1}{2z} = \frac{2z}{5y}

Final Answer:

The simplified expression is:

2z5y\frac{2z}{5y}

Would you like more details or have any questions about the steps? Here are some questions you might consider:

  1. How do we factor more complicated quadratic expressions?
  2. What happens if the numerator and denominator don't have common terms?
  3. How do you find the least common denominator in different types of fractions?
  4. Can the expression be simplified further with additional constraints?
  5. What are common mistakes when simplifying complex rational expressions?

Tip: Always check for common factors between the numerator and the denominator to simplify rational expressions efficiently!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Rational Expressions
Factoring
Common Denominator

Formulas

Factoring: 2z^2 - 10z = 2z(z - 5)
Adding rational expressions with a common denominator
Simplifying complex fractions

Theorems

Basic operations on rational expressions
Distributive Property
Canceling common factors

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12