okay so I'm trying to answer this question for precal but its telling me I'm wrong so maybe someone else can understand it

problem: x/x-2 + 12/x+2 =8/x^2-4
and I got it down to x+16/x+2 by factoring but now what

the first thing you do is find a common denominator on the left side, wich is (x+2)(x-2)
then you need to add everything up and you should get x^2+2x+12x-24 all divided by (x+2)(x-2) which should simplify to 12x

do the same thing on the right hand side of the equation... find a common denominator which is x^2.

then you should simplify that and you should get 12x=(8-4x^2)/x^2

cross multiply and solve. I got it down to 12x^3 +4x^2-8=0

if you have a graphing calculator try and solve it, I'm too lazy right now, but you reminded me to go study calculus.

Multiply through by the LCD, which is (x+2)(x-2)



As you can see, we have lots of cancellations and we get rid of the fractions.



Solve the quadratic. You will get two solutions. Only one may be good. Check.

That that sounds better that my post from earlier. Oh a great website is calc101.com for factoring and stuff like that