SOLUTION: ((x^3-x^2-x+1)/(x^3-x^2+x-1))= 0 Hello, I am trying to solve this for x. I started by graphing the formula making 0 = y and the answer came out to be 1. I then plugged 1 in for x a

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: ((x^3-x^2-x+1)/(x^3-x^2+x-1))= 0 Hello, I am trying to solve this for x. I started by graphing the formula making 0 = y and the answer came out to be 1. I then plugged 1 in for x a      Log On


   



Question 180527: ((x^3-x^2-x+1)/(x^3-x^2+x-1))= 0 Hello, I am trying to solve this for x. I started by graphing the formula making 0 = y and the answer came out to be 1. I then plugged 1 in for x and the answer didn't match up. So i stated to factor and got the top half the equation (x^3-x^2-x+1) to factor into (x-1)(x+1)(x-1) and the bottom half (x^3-x^2+x-1) to factor into (x^2+ 1)(x-1) from there i couldn't make anythign of it. I think i'm on the right track but not sure. Thanks for your help
Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
((x^3-x^2-x+1)/(x^3-x^2+x-1))= 0 Hello, I am trying to solve this for x. I started by graphing the formula making 0 = y and the answer came out to be 1. I then plugged 1 in for x and the answer didn't match up. So i started to factor and got the top half the equation (x^3-x^2-x+1) to factor into (x-1)(x+1)(x-1) and the bottom half (x^3-x^2+x-1) to factor into (x^2+ 1)(x-1) from there i couldn't make anythign of it. I think i'm on the right track but not sure. Thanks for your help
------------------------------
[(x-1)(x+1)(x-1)]/[(x^2+1)(x-1)] = 0
Cancel the common factor of x-1 but keep in mind that x cannot be 1.
------------------------------------
[(x-1)(x+1)]/[(x^2+1)] = 0
Multiply both sides by (x^2+1) to get:
[(x-1)(x+1)] = 0
Then x = 1 or x = -1
But x cannot be 1
So the only solution is x = -1
===================================
cheers,
Stan H.