Question

1. \\(\frac{a^2 - a - 56}{3a - 24}\\)

Explanation:

Step1: Factor numerator and denominator

Factor \(a^2 - a - 56\): find two numbers that multiply to \(-56\) and add to \(-1\), which are \(-8\) and \(7\). So \(a^2 - a - 56=(a - 8)(a + 7)\).
Factor \(3a - 24\): factor out \(3\), so \(3a - 24 = 3(a - 8)\).

Step2: Simplify the fraction

Cancel out the common factor \((a - 8)\) (assuming \(a
eq8\) to avoid division by zero).
The fraction becomes \(\frac{(a - 8)(a + 7)}{3(a - 8)}=\frac{a + 7}{3}\) (for \(a
eq8\)).

Answer:

\(\frac{a + 7}{3}\) (where \(a
eq8\))