Math Is Fun Forum

Onyx

Member

Registered: 2009-02-24

Posts: 48

Can I simplify this fraction?

Can this fraction be simplified?

I'm not sure if this can actually be simplified or not.

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Can I simplify this fraction?

Hi Onyx;

Depends on what you mean as simplified.

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In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

Bob

Administrator

Registered: 2010-06-20

Posts: 10,621

Re: Can I simplify this fraction?

Hi Onyx,

Generally I feel that the first step in simplifying a fraction like this would be to remove the 'fractions within the main fraction'.

So multiply by the (common) denominator (provided it is not zero)  gives :

What I now wonder is 'Can this be further simplified?'

The answer has got to be 'no' because, if we replace the common elements with a single variable, say, x, we have

and that just won't simplify at all.

But, as bobbym says, it depends on what is meant by simplify.  If there's another bit to the question, this might provide a hint of where to go next.

Bob

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Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything;  you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you!  …………….Bob