Very basic simplification question

asked 2013-05-18 14:27:05 +0100

I know what the answer is, however I'm trying to work through the process of this basic question. The equation is below:

(3 + x)/x^2

To simplify can't you simplify it to by simplifying the exponents:

3/x

However if you were to plug a constant into the original variable such as 2, you would get a different result than if you simplified it.

x = 2 | (3 + x)/x^2 = 5/4
x = 2 | 3/2

It's been a while since I went through algebra, so I'm sure there's an easy answer, I'm just wanting to know where I'm not thinking it through properly.

Thanks!

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answered 2013-05-18 16:35:42 +0100

god.one

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updated 2013-05-19 05:11:53 +0100

You have to use the distributive property. Using Sage

var('x')
expand((3 + x)/x^2)

the output you get is

1/x + 3/x^2

and using substitute

expand((3 + x)/x^2).substitute(x=2)

you will get

5/4

which is the correct answer. What you probably meant is

3 * x/x^2 == 3/x

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Asked: 2013-05-18 14:27:05 +0100

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Last updated: May 19 '13

Very basic simplification question edit

1 Answer