How do you do this Algebra 2 Problem?

I have no idea, how to even begin to do this, Well I do but, I didn't do so good.

It's

4a/2a^3+2

----------------

8a/4a+4

I know i'm supposed to get 1/a^2-a=1 but how?!

Comments

  • Where is your equal sign?

  • When you divide by a fraction, you can flip the denominator of the whole thing and multiply:

    4a/(2a^3 + 2) * (4a + 4)/8a

    (16a^2 + 16a)/(16a^4 + 16a)

    You can factor out a 16a/16a:

    (a + 1)/(a^3 + 1)

    a^3 + 1 is a sum of cubes; it's equal to (a + 1)(a^2 - a + 1). (a + 1) cancels from that and the numerator, and you should be left with 1/(a^2 - a + 1).

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