Problem

Rewrite the rational expression \(\frac{2x^2 - 5x - 3}{x^2 - 4}\) in standard form.

Answer

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Answer

We can't simplify this expression any further, so this is the rational expression in standard form.

Steps

Step 1 :First, we factorize the numerator and denominator of the rational expression. The numerator, \(2x^2 - 5x - 3\) factors to \((2x + 1)(x - 3)\). The denominator, \(x^2 - 4\), is a difference of squares and factors to \((x - 2)(x + 2)\).

Step 2 :So, the rational expression becomes \(\frac{(2x + 1)(x - 3)}{(x - 2)(x + 2)}\).

Step 3 :We can't simplify this expression any further, so this is the rational expression in standard form.

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