SOLUTION: Take any number (except for 1). Square that number and then subtract one. Divide by one less than your original number. Now subtract your original number. You reached 1 for an answ

Algebra ->  Algebra  -> Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: Take any number (except for 1). Square that number and then subtract one. Divide by one less than your original number. Now subtract your original number. You reached 1 for an answ      Log On

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Question 123465: Take any number (except for 1). Square that number and then subtract one. Divide by one less than your original number. Now subtract your original number. You reached 1 for an answer, didn’t you? How does this number game work? (Hint: Redo the number game using a variable instead of an actual number and rewrite the problem as one rational expression). How did the number game use the skill of simplifying rational expressions? Create your own number game using the rules of algebra and post it for your classmates to solve. Be sure to think about values that may not work. State whether your number game uses the skill of simplifying rational expressions.

Answer by jim_thompson5910(13679) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let x= unknown number


To find out what's going on, we have to translate this sentence into an algebraic expression:

First let's square the unknown number to get

Now subtract 1 to get

Divide the result by that number minus 1 (ie ) to get


Now subtract the original number x to get




So the sentence translates to . Now let's simplify:



Start with the given expression


Factor into by using the difference of squares



Cancel like terms


Simplify


Group like terms


Combine like terms


So simplifies to . In other words, for any x but . Can you see why?


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As for your own number game, you could try...

Take any number, square it, and add 6 multiplied by the original number. After that add 5. Now divide this by the original number plus one. Now subtract your original number to get 5.


This long sentence translates to ( tell me if you need help with the translation)




Factor to get


Cancel like terms


Simplify


Group like terms


Combine like terms


So simplifies to . In other words, for any x but . Can you see why?