Simplifying the Expression: (2/x+2-4/x^2+4x+4) (2/x^2-4+1/2-x)
This article will guide you through the process of simplifying the given algebraic expression:
(2/x+2 - 4/x^2+4x+4) (2/x^2-4 + 1/2-x)
Step 1: Factor the Denominators
- x^2 + 4x + 4: This is a perfect square trinomial, factoring to (x+2)^2
- x^2 - 4: This is a difference of squares, factoring to (x+2)(x-2)
Step 2: Rewrite the Expression with Factored Denominators
Now the expression becomes:
(2/(x+2) - 4/(x+2)^2) (2/(x+2)(x-2) + 1/(2-x))
Step 3: Find a Common Denominator for Each Parenthesis
- Left Parenthesis: The common denominator is (x+2)^2.
- Multiply the first term by (x+2)/(x+2)
- Right Parenthesis: The common denominator is (x+2)(x-2).
- Multiply the second term by (x+2)/(x+2)
This gives us:
((2(x+2) - 4) / (x+2)^2) ( (2 + (x+2)) / (x+2)(x-2) )
Step 4: Simplify the Numerators
((2x + 4 - 4) / (x+2)^2) ( (2 + x + 2) / (x+2)(x-2) )
((2x) / (x+2)^2) ( (x + 4) / (x+2)(x-2) )
Step 5: Multiply the Fractions
((2x)(x + 4)) / ((x+2)^2 (x+2)(x-2))
Step 6: Simplify the Expression
2x(x + 4) / (x+2)^3 (x-2)
Therefore, the simplified form of the expression is 2x(x + 4) / (x+2)^3 (x-2). This form is considered more compact and easier to work with in further algebraic manipulations.