Math Problem Statement

Simplify the expression: (2x^2 + 7x - 3) / (x^2 + 4x - 12) - (2x^2 + 6x - 1) / (x^2 + 4x - 12)

Solution

The given expression is:

2x2+7x3x2+4x122x2+6x1x2+4x12\frac{2x^2 + 7x - 3}{x^2 + 4x - 12} - \frac{2x^2 + 6x - 1}{x^2 + 4x - 12}

Step 1: Simplify the denominator

The denominator of both terms is the same: x2+4x12x^2 + 4x - 12. We can try to factor this expression:

x2+4x12=(x2)(x+6)x^2 + 4x - 12 = (x - 2)(x + 6)

So, the denominators remain (x2)(x+6)(x - 2)(x + 6) for both fractions.

Step 2: Combine the numerators

Since the denominators are the same, we can combine the numerators:

2x2+7x3(x2)(x+6)2x2+6x1(x2)(x+6)=(2x2+7x3)(2x2+6x1)(x2)(x+6)\frac{2x^2 + 7x - 3}{(x - 2)(x + 6)} - \frac{2x^2 + 6x - 1}{(x - 2)(x + 6)} = \frac{(2x^2 + 7x - 3) - (2x^2 + 6x - 1)}{(x - 2)(x + 6)}

Step 3: Simplify the numerator

Now subtract the second numerator from the first:

(2x2+7x3)(2x2+6x1)=2x2+7x32x26x+1=x2(2x^2 + 7x - 3) - (2x^2 + 6x - 1) = 2x^2 + 7x - 3 - 2x^2 - 6x + 1 = x - 2

Step 4: Write the simplified expression

The simplified expression becomes:

[ \frac{x - 2}{

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Rational Expressions
Factoring

Formulas

Difference of fractions with the same denominator
Factoring quadratics

Theorems

Basic algebraic simplification

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12