Perform the indicated operation and simplify the result. Leave your answer in factored form.

[tex]\[
\frac{\frac{x-8}{x+8} + \frac{x-1}{x+1}}{\frac{x}{x+1} - \frac{5x-1}{x}}
\][/tex]



Answer :

Let's perform the indicated operation and simplify the result step-by-step. We'll start by simplifying the numerator and the denominator separately and then combine them.

Step 1: Simplify the Numerator

The numerator is given by:
[tex]\[ \frac{x-8}{x+8} + \frac{x-1}{x+1} \][/tex]

To add these fractions, we need a common denominator. The common denominator for [tex]\( x+8 \)[/tex] and [tex]\( x+1 \)[/tex] is [tex]\((x+8)(x+1)\)[/tex]:

[tex]\[ \frac{x-8}{x+8} + \frac{x-1}{x+1} = \frac{(x-8)(x+1) + (x-1)(x+8)}{(x+8)(x+1)} \][/tex]

Now, expand and simplify the numerators:

[tex]\[ (x-8)(x+1) = x^2 + x - 8x - 8 = x^2 - 7x - 8 \][/tex]

[tex]\[ (x-1)(x+8) = x^2 + 8x - x - 8 = x^2 + 7x - 8 \][/tex]

Add these results:

[tex]\[ \frac{x^2 - 7x - 8 + x^2 + 7x - 8}{(x+8)(x+1)} = \frac{2x^2 - 16}{(x+8)(x+1)} \][/tex]

Factor the numerator:

[tex]\[ 2x^2 - 16 = 2(x^2 - 8) = 2(x - \sqrt{8})(x + \sqrt{8}) \][/tex]

So the numerator in factored form is:

[tex]\[ \frac{2(x^2 - 8)}{(x+8)(x+1)} \][/tex]

Step 2: Simplify the Denominator

The denominator is given by:
[tex]\[ \frac{x}{x+1} - \frac{5x-1}{x} \][/tex]

Find a common denominator for [tex]\( x+1 \)[/tex] and [tex]\( x \)[/tex]:

[tex]\[ \frac{x}{x+1} - \frac{5x-1}{x} = \frac{x \cdot x - (5x-1)(x+1)}{x(x+1)} \][/tex]

Expand and simplify the numerator:

[tex]\[ x \cdot x = x^2 \][/tex]

[tex]\[ (5x-1)(x+1) = 5x^2 + 5x - x - 1 = 5x^2 + 4x - 1 \][/tex]

Subtract these results:

[tex]\[ \frac{x^2 - (5x^2 + 4x - 1)}{x(x+1)} = \frac{x^2 - 5x^2 - 4x + 1}{x(x+1)} = \frac{-4x^2 - 4x + 1}{x(x+1)} \][/tex]

So the denominator in factored form is:

[tex]\[ \frac{-4x^2 - 4x + 1}{x(x+1)} \][/tex]

Step 3: Simplify the Entire Expression

Now we combine the simplified numerator and denominator:

[tex]\[ \frac{\frac{2(x^2 - 8)}{(x+8)(x+1)}}{\frac{-4x^2 - 4x + 1}{x(x+1)}} = \frac{2(x^2 - 8) \cdot x(x+1)}{(x+8)(x+1) \cdot (-4x^2 - 4x + 1)} \][/tex]

Cancel the common factors [tex]\((x+1)\)[/tex] from the numerator and the denominator:

[tex]\[ \frac{2(x^2 - 8) \cdot x}{(x+8) \cdot (-4x^2 - 4x + 1)} \][/tex]

Therefore, the simplified result of the given expression, in its factored form, is:

[tex]\[ \boxed{\frac{2x(x^2 - 8)}{(x+8)(-4x^2 - 4x + 1)}} \][/tex]

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