Simplify the expressions in the numerator and those in the denominator. Then, multiply the new numerator by the reciprocal of the new denominator.
Quotient: 4 Restrictions: x≠- 6, x≠0, x ≠3
Practice makes perfect
A complex fraction is a rational expression that has at least one fraction in its numerator, denominator, or both. We want to simplify the given complex fraction.
4xx+6/x^2-3xx^2+3x-18
To do so, we will simplify the expressions in the numerator and those in the denominator. Then, we will multiply the new numerator by the reciprocal of the new denominator. Since the expression in the numerator is already simplified, we will simplify only the denominator.
Now, we can rewrite the complex fraction.
4xx+6/x^2-3xx^2+3x-18 ⇔ 4xx+6/x(x-3)(x+6)(x-3)
Finally, we will multiply the numerator by the reciprocal of the new denominator.
4xx+6/x(x-3)(x+6)(x-3) ⇔
4x/x+6 * (x+6)(x-3)/x(x-3)
Let's simplify the above expression.
We will now identify the restrictions from the denominator of the simplified expression and from any other denominator used. For simplicity, we will use their factored forms.
Denominator
Restrictions on the denominator
Restrictions on the variable
x+6
x+6≠0
x≠- 6
(x+6)(x-3)
x+6≠0 and x-3≠0
x≠- 6 and x ≠3
x(x-3)
x≠0 and x-3≠0
x≠0 and x ≠3
We found three restrictions on the variable.
x≠- 6, x≠0, and x ≠3
