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Multiple Choice
Subtract the following rational expressions and write the difference in simplest form if possible.
A
(x−2)(x+2)1
B
(x−2)(x+2)x+2
C
(x−2)(x+2)x−2
D
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1
Identify the given rational expressions: \(\frac{x+2}{x^2 - 4} - \frac{1}{x - 2}\).
Factor the denominator \(x^2 - 4\) as a difference of squares: \(x^2 - 4 = (x - 2)(x + 2)\), so rewrite the first fraction as \(\frac{x+2}{(x-2)(x+2)}\).
Recognize that the second fraction \(\frac{1}{x-2}\) has a denominator missing the factor \((x+2)\), so find a common denominator for both fractions, which is \((x-2)(x+2)\).
Rewrite the second fraction with the common denominator by multiplying numerator and denominator by \((x+2)\): \(\frac{1}{x-2} = \frac{x+2}{(x-2)(x+2)}\).
Now subtract the two fractions with the common denominator: \(\frac{x+2}{(x-2)(x+2)} - \frac{x+2}{(x-2)(x+2)}\), combine the numerators over the common denominator, and simplify the numerator to find the difference.