For certain values of the whole number x, the fraction 6x+99x+7 is not in lowest terms. Find some examples of this and explain what is going on.
Solution
Using a spread sheet perhaps, you'll find that some of these x values are 5, 18, 31, 44, 57, and so on. Notice that these are in the form x=13k+5. Plugging in, we can see what is happening:
6x+99x+7=6(13k+5)+99(13k+5)+7=78k+39117k+52=13⋅6k+13⋅313⋅9k+13⋅4=13(6k+3)13(9k+4)
My, my!