Help Please: 1 easy problem

[Tunalover3]

I'm taking my first Calculus Class and I'm struggling. I dont know what this is. Can someone help me out and walk me through how to solve this and whats wrong? Thank you.

 

[Otis]

... whats wrong?

The instructions state, "Simplify your answer as much as possible."

The following is correct, but it's not simplified into a single ratio.

\(\displaystyle \dfrac{\dfrac{2}{x+h} - \dfrac{2}{x}}{h}\)

 

[Tunalover3]

The instructions state, "Simplify your answer as much as possible."

The following is correct, but it's not simplified into a single ratio.

\(\displaystyle \dfrac{\dfrac{2}{x+h} - \dfrac{2}{x}}{h}\)

How do I simplify it further? Can you show me the steps so i know for further problems?

 

[Harry_the_cat]

The instructions state, "Simplify your answer as much as possible."

The following is correct, but it's not simplified into a single ratio.

\(\displaystyle \dfrac{\dfrac{2}{x+h} - \dfrac{2}{x}}{h}\)

\(\displaystyle = \left [\dfrac{2x}{x(x+h)} - \dfrac{2(x+h)}{x(x+h)} \right ]* \dfrac{1}{h} \) .... get a common denominator

See if you can proceed from here.

 

[stapel]

The instructions state, "Simplify your answer as much as possible."

The following is correct, but it's not simplified into a single ratio.

\(\displaystyle \dfrac{\dfrac{2}{x+h} - \dfrac{2}{x}}{h}\)

How do I simplify it further?

Try using what they taught you back in algebra about simplifying so-called "complex fractions". (here)

If you get stuck, please reply showing what you've tried. Thank you!