SOLUTION: how do you simplify x2+6x+5 ______ x2-25 (x2= x squared or x to the second power)

Algebra ->  Graphs -> SOLUTION: how do you simplify x2+6x+5 ______ x2-25 (x2= x squared or x to the second power)      Log On


   

Question 42226: how do you simplify
x2+6x+5
______
x2-25
(x2= x squared or x to the second power)
Answer by fractalier(6550) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The key technique is to factor and cancel...so we do just that and get
(x^2 + 6x + 5) / (x^2 - 25) =
(x + 1)(x + 5) / (x - 5)(x + 5) =
(x + 1) / (x - 5)