[SPLIT] Simplify (w^2 + 7w) / (w^2 - 49)

[Cwiersema]

I'm still stuck with this I cant understand what to do on this problem:

\(\displaystyle \L \frac{w^2+7w}{w^2-49} \cdot\)

I got w^2+7w. Is this correct?

 

[galactus]

...I got w^2+7w. Is this correct?

Factor out w in the numerator and the denominator is the difference of two squares.

\(\displaystyle \L\\\frac{w(w+7)}{(w+7)(w-7)}=\frac{w}{w-7}\)

 

[stapel]

I got w^2+7w.

How? :shock:

The only way (w² + 7w) / (w² - 49) could equal w² + 7w would be for w² - 49 to equal 1. Were you given that information, but forgot to include it...? If not, what was your reasoning? (This is why it is best to show your work, rather than just make reference to it; we cannot trouble-shoot what we cannot see.)

Please be specific. Thank you!

Eliz.