Simplify Rational Expressions: example 8.15

Simplify: $\frac{14 - 2 x}{x^{2} - 49} .$

Work it out on paper first. Then open the solution one step at a time, and stop as soon as you can finish on your own.

Your turn

The book's Try It right after this example: same idea, new numbers. Only the answer is given.

Simplify: $\frac{10 - 2 y}{y^{2} - 25} .$

How did it go?


Factor the numerator and denominator.
Recognize that $7 - x and x - 7 are opposites$ .
Simplify.