Math Problem Statement

Fully simplify. start fraction, start fraction, 1, divided by, x, end fraction, minus, x, divided by, 3, plus, start fraction, 3, divided by, x, end fraction, end fraction 3+ x 3 ​

x 1 ​ −x ​

Solution

The given expression is:

1xx3+3x3\frac{\frac{1}{x} - \frac{x}{3} + \frac{3}{x}}{3}

To simplify, we will follow these steps:

  1. Combine the terms in the numerator:

1x+3xx3\frac{1}{x} + \frac{3}{x} - \frac{x}{3}

The first two terms, 1x\frac{1}{x} and 3x\frac{3}{x}, can be combined as:

1+3x=4x\frac{1 + 3}{x} = \frac{4}{x}

Now the expression becomes:

4xx33\frac{\frac{4}{x} - \frac{x}{3}}{3}

  1. Find a common denominator for the terms inside the numerator:

To combine 4x\frac{4}{x} and x3\frac{x}{3}, we need a common denominator. The least common denominator (LCD) of xx and 33 is 3x3x. So we rewrite each term:

4x=433x=123x\frac{4}{x} = \frac{4 \cdot 3}{3x} = \frac{12}{3x} x3=xx3x=x23x\frac{x}{3} = \frac{x \cdot x}{3x} = \frac{x^2}{3x}

Now, the numerator becomes:

123xx23x=12x23x\frac{12}{3x} - \frac{x^2}{3x} = \frac{12 - x^2}{3x}

  1. Simplify the whole expression:

Now, the original expression looks like this:

12x23x3\frac{\frac{12 - x^2}{3x}}{3}

Dividing by 3 is equivalent to multiplying by 13\frac{1}{3}:

12x23x13=12x29x\frac{12 - x^2}{3x} \cdot \frac{1}{3} = \frac{12 - x^2}{9x}

Thus, the fully simplified expression is:

12x29x\frac{12 - x^2}{9x}

Would you like further clarification on any part of this? Here are some related questions:

  1. What are other methods to simplify rational expressions like this?
  2. How can we factor the numerator of this expression?
  3. How do you solve for xx in the simplified equation?
  4. What would happen if x=0x = 0 in this expression?
  5. How do you handle expressions with more complex numerators or denominators?

Tip: When simplifying expressions with fractions, always look for common denominators to combine terms effectively!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Rational Expressions
Simplification of Rational Expressions

Formulas

Simplification of rational expressions
Common denominator method

Theorems

Combining fractions with common denominators

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 7-9