What is the difference?

[tex]\[ \frac{x}{x^2+3x+2} - \frac{1}{(x+2)(x+1)} \][/tex]

A. \(\frac{x-1}{6x+4}\)

B. \(\frac{-1}{4x+2}\)

C. \(\frac{1}{x+2}\)

D. [tex]\(\frac{x-1}{x^2+3x+2}\)[/tex]



Answer :

Sure, let's break down and simplify each of the given expressions step by step. We aim to identify their simplest forms and then find any differences among them.

### Expression 1:
[tex]\[ \frac{x}{x^2 + 3x + 2} - \frac{1}{(x+2)(x+1)} \][/tex]

1. Recognize that \(x^2 + 3x + 2\) factors as \((x + 2)(x + 1)\).
2. Rewrite the expression as:
[tex]\[ \frac{x}{(x+2)(x+1)} - \frac{1}{(x+2)(x+1)} \][/tex]
3. Combine the fractions:
[tex]\[ \frac{x - 1}{(x+2)(x+1)} \][/tex]
So, the simplified form is:
[tex]\[ \frac{x - 1}{x^2 + 3x + 2} \][/tex]

### Expression 2:
[tex]\[ \frac{x - 1}{6x + 4} \][/tex]

1. Factor the denominator:
[tex]\[ 6x + 4 = 2(3x + 2) \][/tex]
2. Rewrite the expression as:
[tex]\[ \frac{x - 1}{2(3x + 2)} \][/tex]
So, the simplified form is:
[tex]\[ \frac{x - 1}{2(3x + 2)} \][/tex]

### Expression 3:
[tex]\[ \frac{-1}{4x + 2} \][/tex]

1. Factor the denominator:
[tex]\[ 4x + 2 = 2(2x + 1) \][/tex]
2. Rewrite the expression as:
[tex]\[ \frac{-1}{2(2x + 1)} \][/tex]
So, the simplified form is:
[tex]\[ \frac{-1}{4x + 2} \][/tex]

### Expression 4:
[tex]\[ \frac{1}{x + 2} \][/tex]
There is no further simplification needed for this expression.

### Expression 5:
[tex]\[ \frac{x - 1}{x^2 + 3x + 2} \][/tex]
Since \(x^2 + 3x + 2\) factors as \((x + 2)(x + 1)\), it is already in its simplest form:
[tex]\[ \frac{x - 1}{x^2 + 3x + 2} \][/tex]

### Observation:

- Expression 1 simplifies to \(\frac{x - 1}{x^2 + 3x + 2}\).
- Expression 2 simplifies to \(\frac{x - 1}{2(3x + 2)}\).
- Expression 3 simplifies to \(\frac{-1}{4x + 2}\).
- Expression 4 is \(\frac{1}{x + 2}\).
- Expression 5 is \(\frac{x - 1}{x^2 + 3x + 2}\).

### Conclusion:
Comparing the simplified expressions, we observe that Expressions 1 and 5 are the same:
[tex]\[ \frac{x - 1}{x^2 + 3x + 2} \][/tex]
Expression 2 is:
[tex]\[ \frac{x - 1}{2(3x + 2)} \][/tex]
Expression 3 is:
[tex]\[ \frac{-1}{4x + 2} \][/tex]
Expression 4 is:
[tex]\[ \frac{1}{x + 2} \][/tex]

Thus, only Expressions 1 and 5 are identical; the others are distinct from each other.