document.write( "Question 384242: Simplify\r
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document.write( "X^2-x/X^2-1 \n" );
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Algebra.Com's Answer #272103 by jsmallt9(3758)![]() ![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! \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( " \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( " \n" ); document.write( "leaving: \n" ); document.write( " \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.) \n" ); document.write( " |