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Multiply. \[ \frac{4 x-8}{x-3} \cdot \frac{x+3}{x^{2}-4} \] Simplify your answer as much as possible. \( \square \frac{\square}{\square} \)

Ask by Luna Wyatt. in the United States
Feb 26,2025

Upstudy AI Solution

Tutor-Verified Answer

Answer

The simplified expression is \( \frac{4(x + 3)}{(x - 3)(x + 2)} \).

Solution

First, factor the expressions where possible. 1. Factor the numerator and denominator of the first fraction: 4x - 8 = 4(x - 2), so the first fraction becomes 4(x - 2) / (x - 3). 2. Factor the denominator of the second fraction: x² - 4 = (x - 2)(x + 2), so the second fraction becomes (x + 3) / [(x - 2)(x + 2)]. Now, the expression is: [4(x - 2) / (x - 3)] * [(x + 3) / ((x - 2)(x + 2))]. Notice that (x - 2) appears in the numerator of the first fraction and the denominator of the second fraction, so we cancel it: = 4(x + 3) / [(x - 3)(x + 2)]. Thus, the simplified expression is: 4(x + 3) / [(x - 3)(x + 2)]. In the answer box, you would fill in as: 4 (x+3) (x-3)(x+2)

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Beyond the Answer

To simplify the expression \[ \frac{4 x-8}{x-3} \cdot \frac{x+3}{x^{2}-4}, \] we first factor each component where possible. 1. The numerator \(4x - 8\) can be factored as \(4(x - 2)\). 2. The denominator \(x^2 - 4\) can be factored since it is a difference of squares as \((x - 2)(x + 2)\). Now substituting these factorizations into the expression gives us: \[ \frac{4(x - 2)}{x - 3} \cdot \frac{x + 3}{(x - 2)(x + 2)}. \] Next, we can cancel the common factor of \((x - 2)\) in the numerator and denominator (as long as \(x \neq 2\)): \[ = \frac{4}{x - 3} \cdot \frac{x + 3}{x + 2}. \] Now we multiply the remaining fractions: \[ = \frac{4(x + 3)}{(x - 3)(x + 2)}. \] Thus, the simplified expression is: \[ \frac{4(x + 3)}{(x - 3)(x + 2)}. \] In simplified form: \[ \boxed{\frac{4(x+3)}{(x-3)(x+2)}} \]

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