Math Problem Statement

Write the following calculation as a single fraction in its simplest form: (2 / (x - 5)) + ((x + 5) / (3x + 6)) × ((x^2 - x - 6) / (x^2 - 25)). Give your answer in its fully factorised form.

Solution

Let me solve this step by step. The given expression is:

2x5+x+53x+6×x2x6x225.\frac{2}{x - 5} + \frac{x + 5}{3x + 6} \times \frac{x^2 - x - 6}{x^2 - 25}.

Step 1: Factorize all components

  1. x2x6x^2 - x - 6 can be factorized as: x2x6=(x3)(x+2).x^2 - x - 6 = (x - 3)(x + 2).

  2. x225x^2 - 25 is a difference of squares: x225=(x5)(x+5).x^2 - 25 = (x - 5)(x + 5).

  3. 3x+63x + 6 can be factorized as: 3x+6=3(x+2).3x + 6 = 3(x + 2).

Substituting these factorizations, the expression becomes:

2x5+x+53(x+2)×(x3)(x+2)(x5)(x+5).\frac{2}{x - 5} + \frac{x + 5}{3(x + 2)} \times \frac{(x - 3)(x + 2)}{(x - 5)(x + 5)}.


Step 2: Simplify the multiplication

The second term involves multiplication. Simplify it:

x+53(x+2)×(x3)(x+2)(x5)(x+5).\frac{x + 5}{3(x + 2)} \times \frac{(x - 3)(x + 2)}{(x - 5)(x + 5)}.

Cancel out x+2x + 2 and x+5x + 5 (as they are common terms):

=x33(x5).= \frac{x - 3}{3(x - 5)}.

Thus, the expression becomes:

2x5+x33(x5).\frac{2}{x - 5} + \frac{x - 3}{3(x - 5)}.


Step 3: Combine into a single fraction

Find a common denominator for 2x5\frac{2}{x - 5} and x33(x5)\frac{x - 3}{3(x - 5)}. The common denominator is 3(x5)3(x - 5). Rewrite both fractions with this denominator:

2x5=63(x5),x33(x5)=x33(x5).\frac{2}{x - 5} = \frac{6}{3(x - 5)}, \quad \frac{x - 3}{3(x - 5)} = \frac{x - 3}{3(x - 5)}.

Combine them:

63(x5)+x33(x5)=6+(x3)3(x5).\frac{6}{3(x - 5)} + \frac{x - 3}{3(x - 5)} = \frac{6 + (x - 3)}{3(x - 5)}.

Simplify the numerator:

6+(x3)=x+3.6 + (x - 3) = x + 3.

So the fraction becomes:

x+33(x5).\frac{x + 3}{3(x - 5)}.


Final Answer:

The simplified and fully factorized form of the expression is:

x+33(x5).\frac{x + 3}{3(x - 5)}.


Would you like me to explain any specific step or solve a related problem? Here are some questions to explore:

  1. How do you determine the common denominator for fractions?
  2. Why do terms like x+2x + 2 and x+5x + 5 cancel during simplification?
  3. How do you factorize quadratic expressions like x2x6x^2 - x - 6?
  4. What are the restrictions on xx for this expression (e.g., values that make the denominator zero)?
  5. How do you simplify expressions involving mixed operations?

Tip: Always check for restrictions (e.g., where the denominator becomes zero) in rational expressions to avoid undefined values!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Fractions
Factorization
Simplification of Rational Expressions

Formulas

Factoring quadratic expressions: ax^2 + bx + c = (px + q)(rx + s)
Difference of squares: a^2 - b^2 = (a - b)(a + b)

Theorems

Properties of fractions (addition, multiplication)
Restrictions on rational expressions (denominator ≠ 0)

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12