To simplify the expression \(\frac{5a^2 - 3ab}{a^2 - 0.36b^2}\), we can follow these steps:
Recognize that \(0.36\) can be expressed as \((0.6)^2\): \[ 0.36b^2 = (0.6b)^2 \] Thus, the denominator can be rewritten: \[ a^2 - 0.36b^2 = a^2 - (0.6b)^2 \]
Identify the denominator as a difference of squares: \[ a^2 - (0.6b)^2 = (a - 0.6b)(a + 0.6b) \]
Now, factor the numerator \(5a^2 - 3ab\): We can look for common factors: \[ 5a^2 - 3ab = a(5a - 3b) \]
Now, rewrite the original expression: \[ \frac{5a^2 - 3ab}{a^2 - 0.36b^2} = \frac{a(5a - 3b)}{(a - 0.6b)(a + 0.6b)} \]
So, the simplified expression is: \[ \frac{a(5a - 3b)}{(a - 0.6b)(a + 0.6b)} \]
This is the simplified form of the given expression.