176k views
4 votes
This problem is really mixing my brain up, please help

This problem is really mixing my brain up, please help-example-1
User Vvchik
by
5.1k points

1 Answer

6 votes

Answer: D

Step-by-step explanation:

The given expression is

(x + 2)/(x^2 + 5x + 6) ÷ (3x + 1)/(x^2 - 9)

We would simplify each term in the expression.

Considering (x^2 + 5x + 6), this is a quadratic expression. We would simplify by applying the method of factorization. The first step is to multiply x^2 with 6. It becomes 6x^2. We would find two terms such that their sum or difference is 5x and their product is 6x^2. The terms are 2x and 3x. By replacing 5x with 2x + 3x, we have

x^2 + 2x + 3x + 6

Factorize by grouping, it becomes

x(x + 2) + 3(x + 2)

(x + 2)(x + 3)

Also,

(x^2 - 9) can be written as (x + 3)(x - 3)

The original expression becomes

(x + 2)/(x + 2)(x + 3) ÷ (3x + 1)/(x + 3)(x - 3)

1/(x + 3) ÷ (3x + 1)/(x + 3)(x - 3)

If we flip (3x + 1)/(x + 3)(x - 3) such that it becomes (x + 3)(x - 3)/(3x + 1), the division sign becomes multiplication. Thus, the expression becomes

1/(x + 3) * (x + 3)(x - 3)/(3x + 1)

(x + 3) cancels out

The final expression is

D. (x - 3)/(3x + 1)

User Eusataf
by
5.1k points