# simplifying an equation

Discussion in 'Math' started by kokkie_d, Sep 12, 2013.

1. ### kokkie_d Thread Starter Active Member

Jan 12, 2009
72
0
Hi,

suppose I have the following equation:
$\frac{a*b+a*R}{b+R}$

I threw this in maple and on wolfram alpha and Matlab just to see what they do with it to simplify and all came back with: a

Would someone be able to explain how to go about achieving this?

2. ### kokkie_d Thread Starter Active Member

Jan 12, 2009
72
0
Just saw the solution;

$\frac{a*b+a*R}{b+R} = \frac{a(b+R)}{b+R}=a$

red faced person typing this. lol

3. ### WBahn Moderator

Mar 31, 2012
17,446
4,699
Don't fret. We all occasionally sit staring at something for a long time only to see (or have pointed out to us) the most simple, obvious solution. It seems like you often spot the solution yourself only after asking someone else -- and I suspect that is not coincidence. The act of explaining the problem to someone else forces you to view the problem somewhat anew.

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4. ### kokkie_d Thread Starter Active Member

Jan 12, 2009
72
0
So true.

Where is the like button. lol

5. ### WBahn Moderator

Mar 31, 2012
17,446
4,699
To the far right bottom of the post.

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6. ### MrChips Moderator

Oct 2, 2009
12,227
3,280
There is one condition.

The result is a if and only if (b + R) ≠ 0.

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