Subjects algebra

Simplify Fraction Product D41C90

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Question: Return the original user prompt in the "prompt" field. Wrap every mathematical expression, number used in a calculation, equation, fraction, variable, or formula in $...$ for inline math or $$...$$ for display math.
1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $$\frac{2x-3x}{4y} \cdot \frac{y}{x^2-9}$$. 2. **Combine and simplify the numerator in the first fraction:** $$2x - 3x = -x$$ So the expression becomes: $$\frac{-x}{4y} \cdot \frac{y}{x^2 - 9}$$ 3. **Factor the denominator $x^2 - 9$ using the difference of squares:** $$x^2 - 9 = (x - 3)(x + 3)$$ 4. **Rewrite the expression with factored denominator:** $$\frac{-x}{4y} \cdot \frac{y}{(x - 3)(x + 3)}$$ 5. **Multiply the fractions:** $$\frac{-x \cdot y}{4y \cdot (x - 3)(x + 3)}$$ 6. **Cancel common factors $y$ in numerator and denominator:** $$\frac{-x \cdot \cancel{y}}{4 \cdot \cancel{y} \cdot (x - 3)(x + 3)} = \frac{-x}{4(x - 3)(x + 3)}$$ 7. **Final simplified expression:** $$\boxed{\frac{-x}{4(x - 3)(x + 3)}}$$ This is the simplest form of the given expression.