[auntieshan]

Hello, I am studying to write an entrance exam. As I have been out of school for quite awhile I do not remember how to do this. Here is an example of a question.

((Bsqurd-4)(A+7))/((Bsqurd-2)(2A+14))=

I do not need the actual answer just a refresher on how to do this.
Any help would be appriciated.

I started by multipling the two equations on either side of the division line in FOIL manner and then I kind of get lost there.
No websites are giving me examples close enough for me to figure it out. Please Help!!

[rudi_in]

Thank you for posting your question to the Ask Me Help Desk.

The key to solving your problem lies within your subject line.

simplification by factoring

The object is to factor out common multiples in both the numerator and denominator so that you can cancel things out.

An example of this would be...

(x + 5) / (5x + 25)

I can factor a 5 out of (5x + 25) to get...

(x + 5) / 5(x + 5)

the (x + 5)'s will cancel out and I am left with 1/5

Perhaps this will be enough to get you started.

Good Luck!