SOLUTION: How do you simplify a rational expression like: t^2-25/t^2+t-20, whats the answer?

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Question 152262: How do you simplify a rational expression like: t^2-25/t^2+t-20, whats the answer?
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

%28t%5E2-25%29%2F%28t%5E2%2Bt-20%29 Start with the given expression.


%28%28t-5%29%2A%28t%2B5%29%29%2F%28t%5E2%2Bt-20%29 Factor t%5E2-25 to get %28t-5%29%2A%28t%2B5%29.


%28%28t-5%29%2A%28t%2B5%29%29%2F%28%28t%2B5%29%2A%28t-4%29%29 Factor t%5E2%2Bt-20 to get %28t%2B5%29%2A%28t-4%29.


%28%28t-5%29highlight%28%28t%2B5%29%29%29%2F%28highlight%28%28t%2B5%29%29%28t-4%29%29 Highlight the common terms.


%28%28t-5%29cross%28%28t%2B5%29%29%29%2F%28cross%28%28t%2B5%29%29%28t-4%29%29 Cancel out the common terms.


%28t-5%29%2F%28t-4%29 Simplify.


So %28t%5E2-25%29%2F%28t%5E2%2Bt-20%29 simplifies to %28t-5%29%2F%28t-4%29.


In other words, %28t%5E2-25%29%2F%28t%5E2%2Bt-20%29=%28t-5%29%2F%28t-4%29 where t%3C%3E-5 or t%3C%3E4