Math Problem Statement

Simplify the given expression: (4x^2 - 24x) / (4x^4 + 12x^3 - 16x^2) * (x^2 - 9x + 8) / (x^2 - 14x + 48).

Solution

The given mathematical expression involves simplifying a product of two rational expressions:

4x224x4x4+12x316x2x29x+8x214x+48.\frac{4x^2 - 24x}{4x^4 + 12x^3 - 16x^2} \cdot \frac{x^2 - 9x + 8}{x^2 - 14x + 48}.

Let's simplify it step by step.


Step 1: Factorize all the terms

  1. Numerator of the first fraction: 4x224x4x^2 - 24x Factor out the greatest common factor (GCF): 4x224x=4x(x6).4x^2 - 24x = 4x(x - 6).

  2. Denominator of the first fraction: 4x4+12x316x24x^4 + 12x^3 - 16x^2 Factor out the GCF: 4x4+12x316x2=4x2(x2+3x4).4x^4 + 12x^3 - 16x^2 = 4x^2(x^2 + 3x - 4). Now factorize x2+3x4x^2 + 3x - 4: x2+3x4=(x+4)(x1).x^2 + 3x - 4 = (x + 4)(x - 1). So: 4x4+12x316x2=4x2(x+4)(x1).4x^4 + 12x^3 - 16x^2 = 4x^2(x + 4)(x - 1).

  3. Numerator of the second fraction: x29x+8x^2 - 9x + 8 Factorize x29x+8x^2 - 9x + 8: x29x+8=(x8)(x1).x^2 - 9x + 8 = (x - 8)(x - 1).

  4. Denominator of the second fraction: x214x+48x^2 - 14x + 48 Factorize x214x+48x^2 - 14x + 48: x214x+48=(x8)(x6).x^2 - 14x + 48 = (x - 8)(x - 6).


Step 2: Rewrite the expression with factors

Now rewrite the entire expression: 4x(x6)4x2(x+4)(x1)(x8)(x1)(x8)(x6).\frac{4x(x - 6)}{4x^2(x + 4)(x - 1)} \cdot \frac{(x - 8)(x - 1)}{(x - 8)(x - 6)}.


Step 3: Simplify the expression

Cancel out common factors from the numerator and denominator:

  1. 4x4x in the numerator and 4x24x^2 in the denominator cancel partially, leaving 1x\frac{1}{x}.
  2. (x6)(x - 6) cancels.
  3. (x8)(x - 8) cancels.
  4. (x1)(x - 1) cancels.

After canceling, we are left with: 1x(x+4).\frac{1}{x(x + 4)}.


Final Answer:

The simplified expression is: 1x(x+4).\frac{1}{x(x + 4)}.


Would you like a more detailed explanation or help with a similar problem? Here are 5 related questions to expand on this:

  1. How do you factorize quadratic expressions like x29x+8x^2 - 9x + 8?
  2. What is the process of canceling terms in rational expressions?
  3. How do you find the domain of a rational expression like 1x(x+4)\frac{1}{x(x + 4)}?
  4. Can you simplify other products of rational expressions with higher powers?
  5. What happens if a factor is canceled but the variable is restricted (e.g., x6=0x - 6 = 0)?

Tip: Always check for restrictions on the domain (values that make the denominator zero) after simplifying a rational expression.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Factoring Polynomials
Simplifying Rational Expressions

Formulas

Factoring quadratics: ax^2 + bx + c = (px + q)(rx + s)
Simplifying rational expressions

Theorems

Distributive Property
Zero Product Property

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12