Essay

Explain the steps to add and simplify: 7x+12x+3+x2x+3\frac{7x+12}{x+3} + \frac{x^2}{x+3}.

Question: Explain the steps to add and simplify: 7x+12x+3+x2x+3\frac{7x+12}{x+3} + \frac{x^2}{x+3}.

Sample answer: First, add the numerators over the common denominator to get x2+7x+12x+3\frac{x^2 + 7x + 12}{x + 3}. Next, factor the numerator to (x+3)(x+4)(x + 3)(x + 4). Finally, cancel the common factor of (x+3)(x + 3) to get the answer, x+4x + 4.

Key points:

  • Combine the numerators over the common denominator to get x2+7x+12x+3\frac{x^2 + 7x + 12}{x + 3}.
  • Factor the numerator x2+7x+12x^2 + 7x + 12 into (x+3)(x+4)(x + 3)(x + 4).
  • Cancel the common factor (x+3)(x + 3) to simplify the expression to x+4x + 4.

Rubric: The answer should describe adding the numerators, factoring the resulting trinomial, and canceling the common factor to arrive at the simplified expression.

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Updated 2026-06-20

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