SOLUTION: (n+1)! ------ (n-2)! The directions say: Compute each of the following. Look for simplifications first. Thank you for any help you can offer. ~Marney

Algebra ->  Probability-and-statistics -> SOLUTION: (n+1)! ------ (n-2)! The directions say: Compute each of the following. Look for simplifications first. Thank you for any help you can offer. ~Marney      Log On


   

Question 246258: (n+1)!
------
(n-2)!

The directions say: Compute each of the following. Look for simplifications first.

Thank you for any help you can offer.
~Marney
Answer by jsmallt9(3758) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The ! is the notation for factorials. And x factorial is the product of all the natural numbers from 1 to x inclusive. So %28n%2B1%29%21%2F%28n%2B2%29%21 is shorthand for:
1 * 2 * 3 * ... * n * n+1
-------------------------------
1 * 2 * 3 * ... * n * n+1 * n+2

From this view we can see that every factor of the numerator will cancel with all but the last factor of the denominator.

So %28n%2B1%29%21%2F%28n%2B2%29%21+=+1%2F%28n%2B2%29