Question

Emma, Steve, Maria, and George are comparing the solution of a math assignment problem below.

Select the student who correctly subtracted the rational expressions.

Answer 1

Steve did it perfectly, because he got the common denominator first, then expanded and subtracted.

Answer 2

A. Steve

Explanation:

We are given the expression,
`(1)/(x-1)-(3)/(x^(2)+2x-3)`.

So, upon simplifying the expression, we get,

`(1)/(x-1)-(3)/(x^(2)+2x-3)`

implies
`(1)/(x-1)-(3)/((x-1)(x+3))`

i.e.
`(1(x+3)-3)/((x-1)(x+3))`

i.e.
`(x+3-3)/((x-1)(x+3))`

i.e.
`(x)/((x-1)(x+3))`

So, from the options, we see that,

Steve has correctly subtracted the rational expressions.

Thus, option A is correct.