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? asked in Education & ReferenceHomework Help · 1 decade ago

how to simplify this?

(a^2-b^2)/(3a+3b)

____________division line

[(a-b)^2]/9

please show work

1 Answer

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  • chanty4life
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Dividing by a number is the same as multiplying by the reciprocal(sp?).

    [(a^2-b^2)/(3a+3b)]x[(9)/(a-b)^2]

    Then foil the bottom.

    [(a^2-b^2)/(3a+3b)]x[9/(a^2-2ab+b^2)

    Then times the top numbers together and the bottom two together (by foiling).

    (9a^2-9b^2)/(3a^3-6a^2b+3ab^2+3a^2b-6ab^2+3b^3)

    Then add like terms.

    (9a^2-9b^2)/(3a^3-3a^2b-3ab^2+3b^3)

    You can't simplify any more.

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