Question

Difficulty: MediumEquivalent Algebraic Expressions

For all x>0x > 0, the expression 6x2+13x52x+53x24xx\frac{6x^2 + 13x - 5}{2x + 5} - \frac{3x^2 - 4x}{x} is equivalent to a constant cc. What is the value of cc?

Answer: 3

Answer

The correct answer is 3.
To find the constant value of the expression, both rational expressions are first simplified. The quadratic in the numerator of the first fraction, 6x2+13x56x^2 + 13x - 5, can be factored as (3x1)(2x+5)(3x - 1)(2x + 5). Canceling the common factor of 2x+52x + 5 in the numerator and denominator simplifies the first term to 3x13x - 1. The second fraction, 3x24xx\frac{3x^2 - 4x}{x}, can be simplified by dividing each term in the numerator by xx, which results in 3x43x - 4. Subtracting the second simplified expression from the first gives (3x1)(3x4)=3x13x+4=3(3x - 1) - (3x - 4) = 3x - 1 - 3x + 4 = 3. Thus, the constant value of the expression is 33.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Factor the numerator of the first rational expression.
6x2+13x5=(3x1)(2x+5)6x^2 + 13x - 5 = (3x - 1)(2x + 5)
This allows us to simplify the fraction by canceling common factors.
2
Simplify the first fraction by canceling the common term (2x+5)(2x + 5).
(3x1)(2x+5)2x+5=3x1\frac{(3x - 1)(2x + 5)}{2x + 5} = 3x - 1
Since x>0x > 0, 2x+502x + 5 \neq 0, so we can cancel the common factor.
3
Simplify the second fraction by factoring out xx and canceling it.
3x24xx=3x4\frac{3x^2 - 4x}{x} = 3x - 4
Since x>0x > 0, x0x \neq 0, so we can divide each term in the numerator by xx.
4
Subtract the two simplified expressions.
(3x1)(3x4)=3(3x - 1) - (3x - 4) = 3
To find the constant value cc, we subtract the second simplified expression from the first and combine like terms, paying close attention to distributing the negative sign.

Key Concept

Simplifying rational expressions by factoring and performing polynomial subtraction.
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