Fraction Simplification Problem

(-18x + 12y) / (12x +8y)

This is a fraction.

I was wondering can I simply cancel out the X and Y from the numerator and denominator and get (-18 + 12 ) / (12 + 8 )

or how do I simplify this problem? Please someone explain how to simplify this.

You cannot cancel out the x and y from the numerator and denominator just because both have an x and y in them. In this case, all you can do is pull out the greatest common factor of both the top and bottom (6 for the top, 4 for the bottom)

6(-3x+2y)
---------------
4(3x+2y)

Which, the 6/4 would reduce of course. Did you, by chance, forget a negative sign in front of the x in the denominator? If so, the two parentheses would cancel, leaving you with just 3/2 as the simplest answer. If everything is how you typed it, the parentheses remain.


Edit: With your last added comment, yes, -3/2.

No you can't do what you suggest. You need to take out common factors in the numerator and denominator:

-6(3x - 2y) / 4(3x + 2y)


Simplify:

= -3(3x - 2y) / 2 (3x + 2y)

That 's as far as it goes

divide everything on left with everything on the right
12/12 = 1
12/8 = 1.5
-18 / 12 = -1.5
-18 / 8 = -1.25

add em = -0.75