Ask questions, share knowledge, and connect with a vibrant community on IDNLearn.com. Find accurate and detailed answers to your questions from our experienced and dedicated community members.

Complete the following steps to find the LCD and write the sum of the numerators for the given problem:
[tex]\[ \frac{2}{x^2 - 3x - 4} + \frac{3}{x^2 - 6x + 8} \][/tex]

1. Factor each denominator:
[tex]\[ \begin{array}{l}
x^2 - 3x - 4 = (x - 4)(x + 1) \\
x^2 - 6x + 8 = (x - 4)(x - 2)
\end{array} \][/tex]

2. The least common denominator (LCD) is:
[tex]\[ (x - 4)(x + 1)(x - 2) \][/tex]


Sagot :

To determine the least common denominator (LCD) and write the sum of the numerators for the given problem:
[tex]\[ \frac{2}{x^2 - 3x - 4} + \frac{3}{x^2 - 6x + 8} \][/tex]
we need to follow these steps:

### Step 1: Factor Each Denominator

#### Factor [tex]\( x^2 - 3x - 4 \)[/tex]

Let's factorize [tex]\(x^2 - 3x - 4\)[/tex]:
We need to find two numbers that multiply to [tex]\(-4\)[/tex] and add up to [tex]\(-3\)[/tex]. These numbers are [tex]\(-4\)[/tex] and [tex]\(1\)[/tex].

So we can write:
[tex]\[ x^2 - 3x - 4 = (x - 4)(x + 1) \][/tex]

#### Factor [tex]\( x^2 - 6x + 8 \)[/tex]

Now, let's factorize [tex]\(x^2 - 6x + 8\)[/tex]:
We need to find two numbers that multiply to [tex]\(8\)[/tex] and add up to [tex]\(-6\)[/tex]. These numbers are [tex]\(-4\)[/tex] and [tex]\(-2\)[/tex].

So we can write:
[tex]\[ x^2 - 6x + 8 = (x - 4)(x - 2) \][/tex]

### Step 2: Find the Least Common Denominator (LCD)

To find the LCD, we need to collect all unique factors from both denominators:

From the denominator [tex]\(x^2 - 3x - 4 = (x - 4)(x + 1)\)[/tex], the factors are [tex]\(x - 4\)[/tex] and [tex]\(x + 1\)[/tex].

From the denominator [tex]\(x^2 - 6x + 8 = (x - 4)(x - 2)\)[/tex], the factors are [tex]\(x - 4\)[/tex] and [tex]\(x - 2\)[/tex].

Combining all unique factors, we get:
[tex]\[ (x - 4)(x + 1)(x - 2) \][/tex]

### Step 3: Write the LCD

Thus, the least common denominator (LCD) is:
[tex]\[ \boxed{(x - 4)(x + 1)(x - 2)} \][/tex]

### Rewrite Each Fraction with the LCD as the Denominator

Let's rewrite each fraction so they have the LCD as their denominator.

#### For [tex]\( \frac{2}{x^2 - 3x - 4} \)[/tex]:

We have:
[tex]\[ \frac{2}{x^2 - 3x - 4} = \frac{2}{(x - 4)(x + 1)} \][/tex]
To make the denominator [tex]\((x-4)(x+1)(x-2)\)[/tex], we multiply the numerator and the denominator by [tex]\((x - 2)\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ \frac{2}{(x - 4)(x + 1)} \cdot \frac{(x - 2)}{(x - 2)} = \frac{2(x - 2)}{(x - 4)(x + 1)(x - 2)} \][/tex]

#### For [tex]\( \frac{3}{x^2 - 6x + 8} \)[/tex]:

We have:
[tex]\[ \frac{3}{x^2 - 6x + 8} = \frac{3}{(x - 4)(x - 2)} \][/tex]
To make the denominator [tex]\((x-4)(x+1)(x-2)\)[/tex], we multiply the numerator and the denominator by [tex]\((x + 1)\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ \frac{3}{(x - 4)(x - 2)} \cdot \frac{(x + 1)}{(x + 1)} = \frac{3(x + 1)}{(x - 4)(x + 1)(x - 2)} \][/tex]

### Step 4: Write the Sum of the Numerators

Now, we can add the fractions:
[tex]\[ \frac{2(x - 2)}{(x - 4)(x + 1)(x - 2)} + \frac{3(x + 1)}{(x - 4)(x + 1)(x - 2)} = \frac{2(x - 2) + 3(x + 1)}{(x - 4)(x + 1)(x - 2)} \][/tex]

Simplify the numerator:
[tex]\[ 2(x - 2) + 3(x + 1) = 2x - 4 + 3x + 3 = 5x - 1 \][/tex]

So the sum of the fractions is:
[tex]\[ \frac{5x - 1}{(x - 4)(x + 1)(x - 2)} \][/tex]

### Final Answer

The least common denominator is:
[tex]\[ (x - 4)(x + 1)(x - 2) \][/tex]

And the sum of the numerators is:
[tex]\[ 5x - 1 \][/tex]

Therefore, the combined fraction is:
[tex]\[ \frac{5x - 1}{(x - 4)(x + 1)(x - 2)} \][/tex]