document.write( "Question 384242: Simplify\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "X^2-x/X^2-1
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Algebra.Com's Answer #272103 by jsmallt9(3758)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
\"%28x%5E2-x%29%2F%28x%5E2-1%29\"
\n" ); document.write( "To simplify (or reduce) a fraction we cancel common factors in the numerator and denominator, if any. And to do this we need to know what the factors are. So we start by factoring.

\n" ); document.write( "The numerator has a common factor of x and the denominator fits the difference of squares pattern:
\n" ); document.write( "\"%28x%28x-1%29%29%2F%28%28x%2B1%29%28x-1%29%29\"
\n" ); document.write( "We can now see that (x-1) is a factor in both the numerator and denominator which we can cancel:
\n" ); document.write( "\"%28x%2Across%28%28x-1%29%29%29%2F%28%28x%2B1%29cross%28%28x-1%29%29%29\"
\n" ); document.write( "leaving:
\n" ); document.write( "\"x%2F%28x%2B1%29\"
\n" ); document.write( "This is the simplified fraction. (Note: The x's do not cancel. Only factors can be canceled! And the x in the denominator is not a factor.)
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