16Hit1600
Advanced MathVery hardReducing a rational expression to a constant over x

Advanced Math practice question

For x ≠ 0 and x ≠ −3, the expression (2x + 6)/(x² + 3x) is equivalent to k/x, where k is a constant. What is the value of k?

Answer: 2

2x + 6 = 2(x + 3) and x² + 3x = x(x + 3). Cancelling x + 3 leaves 2/x.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 1
1 forgets the factor 2 in the numerator.
If you answered 3
3 copies the constant from x + 3.
If you answered 6
6 copies the constant from the numerator.

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