Simplify 7/x - 2/x

Step by step

The question

Question: work out 7/x − 2 over x.

1 Take away the tops

The bottoms are already the same.

We take away the tops.

The bottom stays.

Careful!

The bottoms are the same.

Only the tops are added.

The bottom stays.

Now one fraction: (7 − 2) over x.

On top: 7 − 2 is 5.

So the top is 5.

2 Cross out the same

Is a whole factor on top the same as one on the bottom?

No.

So nothing crosses out.

We leave the bottom as factors.

So the answer is 5 over x.

The bottoms can't be 0.

So x can't be 0.

3 Check

Let's check with a number: x = 1.

First in the question.

7 take away 2 is 5.

Now in our answer.

We get 5 too.

Both are 5.

So 5/x is right!

Let's look back.

First: take away the tops.

Then: cross out the same.

Last: check.