Example

Simplifying 5xx2+5x+6x2410x\frac{5x}{x^2 + 5x + 6} \cdot \frac{x^2 - 4}{10x}

To simplify the expression 5xx2+5x+6x2410x\frac{5x}{x^2 + 5x + 6} \cdot \frac{x^2 - 4}{10x}, apply the steps for multiplying rational expressions. First, factor completely: the trinomial x2+5x+6x^2 + 5x + 6 factors to (x+2)(x+3)(x + 2)(x + 3), the difference of squares x24x^2 - 4 factors to (x2)(x+2)(x - 2)(x + 2), and 10x10x can be factored as 25x2 \cdot 5 \cdot x. Next, multiply the numerators and denominators to form the combined fraction 5x(x2)(x+2)25x(x+2)(x+3)\frac{5x(x - 2)(x + 2)}{2 \cdot 5 \cdot x(x + 2)(x + 3)}. Finally, simplify the expression by dividing out the common factors of 55, xx, and (x+2)(x + 2). This leaves the simplified result as x22(x+3)\frac{x - 2}{2(x + 3)}.

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Updated 2026-05-25

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