Intermediate Algebra for College Students (7th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-13417-894-7
ISBN 13: 978-0-13417-894-3

Chapter 6 - Mid-Chapter Check Point - Page 447: 19

Answer

$\frac{3x+2}{(x+2)(x-1)}$.

Work Step by Step

The given expression is $\frac{x+1}{x^2+x-2}-\frac{1}{x^2-3x+2}+\frac{2x}{x^2-4}$ Factor each denominator. $\Rightarrow x^2+x-2$ Rewrite the middle term $x$ as $2x-x$. $\Rightarrow x^2+2x-x-2$ Group terms. $\Rightarrow (x^2+2x)+(-x-2)$ Factor each group. $\Rightarrow x(x+2)-1(x+2)$ Factor out $(x+2)$. $\Rightarrow (x+2)(x-1)$ $\Rightarrow x^2-3+2$ Rewrite the middle term $-3x$ as $-2x-x$. $\Rightarrow x^2-2x-x+2$ Group terms. $\Rightarrow (x^2-2x)+(-x+2)$ Factor each group. $\Rightarrow x(x-2)-1(x-2)$ Factor out $(x-2)$. $\Rightarrow (x-2)(x-1)$ $\Rightarrow x^2-4$ $\Rightarrow x^2-2^2$ Use the special formula $A^2-B^2=(A+B)(A-B)$. $\Rightarrow (x+2)(x-2)$ Back substitute all factors into the fraction. $\Rightarrow \frac{x+1}{(x+2)(x-1)}-\frac{1}{(x-2)(x-1)}+\frac{2x}{(x+2)(x-2)}$ The LCD of the denominators is $(x+2)(x-2)(x-1)$ $\Rightarrow \frac{(x+1)(x-2)}{(x+2)(x-2)(x-1)}-\frac{(x+2)}{(x+2)(x-2)(x-1)}+\frac{2x(x-1)}{(x+2)(x-2)(x-1)}$ $\Rightarrow \frac{(x+1)(x-2)-(x+2)+2x(x-1)}{(x+2)(x-2)(x-1)}$ Use FOIL method and the distributive property to clear parentheses. $\Rightarrow \frac{x^2-2x+x-2-x-2+2x^2-2x}{(x+2)(x-2)(x-1)}$ Simplify. $\Rightarrow \frac{3x^2-4x-4}{(x+2)(x-2)(x-1)}$ Factor the numerator. $\Rightarrow 3x^2-4x-4$ Rewrite the middle term $-4x$ as $-6x+2x$. $\Rightarrow 3x^2-6x+2x-4$ Group terms. $\Rightarrow (3x^2-6x)+(2x-4)$ Factor each group. $\Rightarrow 3x(x-2)+2(x-2)$ Factor out $(x-2)$. $\Rightarrow (x-2)(3x+2)$ Back substitute into the fraction. $\Rightarrow \frac{(x-2)(3x+2)}{(x+2)(x-2)(x-1)}$ Cancel common terms. $\Rightarrow \frac{(3x+2)}{(x+2)(x-1)}$.
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