SOLUTION: I am trying to finish a problem where I am multiplying rational expressions. This is what I have simplified it down to: (c-1)*(2c+1)/(c^(2)-1). I know I must factor out (c-1) and (

Question 597877: I am trying to finish a problem where I am multiplying rational expressions. This is what I have simplified it down to: (c-1)*(2c+1)/(c^(2)-1). I know I must factor out (c-1) and (c^(2)-1) and the greatest common factor is (c-1). I have used algebra.com's solver and I know the answer is (2c+1)/(c+1). But how do I get (c+1) from factoring (c^(2)-1) by (c-1)? Thank you!
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Start with the given expression.

Rewrite as .

Notice how we have a difference of squares where in this case and .

So let's use the difference of squares formula to factor the expression:

Start with the difference of squares formula.

Plug in and .

So this shows us that factors to .

In other words .

Hopefully this helps. If not, let me know.
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