Step by step
The question
Question: simplify 4x² over 6x.
A fraction with x in it is called a rational expression.
We make it simpler like a number fraction.
6/9: both have a 3 in them.
3/3 is 1, so 2/3 is left.
We do the same with brackets.
1 Cross out the same
Careful!
We cross out only a whole bracket, or a whole x, that multiplies everything.
Never one part of a bracket.
Now we write the fraction with the factors: 4xx/6x.
x/x is 1.
Cross them out.
4 and 6 can both be divided by 2.
4 becomes 2, 6 becomes 3.
2 Write what is left
What is left is 2x/3.
One more thing: the bottom of the question can't be 0.
So x can't be 0.
3 Check
Let's check with a number: x = 2.
First in the question.
We get 4/3.
Now in our answer.
We get 4/3 too.
Both are 4/3.
So 2x/3 is right!
Let's look back.
First: cross out the same.
Then: write what is left.
Last: check.