Remember that you can always multiply or divide BOTH the numerator and denominator of the fraction by anything you want to. You just have to do exactly the same to both of them.
The way to simplify a fraction is to divide both the numerator and denominator by their greatest common factor.
Do you see all of those 'x's on the top and bottom ? The top and bottom can both be divided by x-cubed.
<u>Numerator:</u> Divide (-4³) by x³, and you have (-4) left.
<u>Denominator:</u> Divide (x³ - 2x⁴) by x³, and you have (1 - 2x) left.
So, the simplified fraction is [ -4 / (1 - 2x) ].
That's a perfectly good answer, but you could make it look a little prettier if you multiply the top and bottom both by -1 . Then it would be
