Simplifying Quadratic Equation Quick question, say I'm simplying a solution I got using the quadratic equation and I run into this:
Original version (as posted by OP):

x = -7 +- 3 sqrt(5) over 3

Edited  version:
$$
x = \frac{-7\pm 3 \sqrt{5} }{3}
$$
Would the two $3$s cross each out leaving the answer to be $x = -7 \pm \sqrt{5}$, or is that illegal in terms of rules and you have to simplify all the terms, including the $-7$ if you were to simplify correctly.
Thanks!

I'm a little late on the scene, but from your most recent comments you still haven't seen the light. Maybe this will help.
$$\frac{-7\pm 3 \sqrt{5} }{3} \;\; =\;\; \left(\frac{1}{3}\right) \left(\frac{-7\pm 3 \sqrt{5}}{1}\right) \;\;= \;\; \left(\frac{1}{3}\right)\left(-7 \; \pm \; 3 \sqrt{5}\right) $$
$$= \;\; \left(\frac{1}{3}\right)(-7) \; \pm \; \left(\frac{1}{3}\right)\left(3 \sqrt{5}\right)
\;\; = \;\; \left(\frac{1}{3}\right)\left(\frac{-7}{1}\right) \; \pm \; \left(\frac{1}{3}\right)\left(\frac{3 \sqrt{5}}{1}\right) \;\; = \;\; -\frac{7}{3}\; \pm \; \frac{3 \sqrt{5}}{3}$$
Usually people do all this in one step (see the first comment under your question, the comment by lhf) and write:
$$\frac{-7\pm 3 \sqrt{5} }{3} \;\; = \;\; -\frac{7}{3}\; \pm \; \frac{3 \sqrt{5}}{3}$$
