SOLUTION: Can u help me express the rational expression (y-1)(y-3)/(3-y)(1+y)

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: Can u help me express the rational expression (y-1)(y-3)/(3-y)(1+y)      Log On


   

Question 819190: Can u help me express the rational expression (y-1)(y-3)/(3-y)(1+y)
Answer by jsmallt9(3758) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
%28%28y-1%29%28y-3%29%29%2F%28%283-y%29%281%2By%29%29
The "trick" with this one is recognizing that y-3 and 3-y are not the same... but they are opposites of each other! So if we factor out a -1 from one of them (not both!), we will have some factors to cancel:
%28%28y-1%29%28-1%29%283-y%29%29%2F%28%283-y%29%281%2By%29%29
%28%28y-1%29%28-1%29cross%28%283-y%29%29%29%2F%28cross%28%283-y%29%29%281%2By%29%29
leaving...
%28%28y-1%29%28-1%29%29%2F%281%2By%29
All that's left is to multiply out the numerator:
%28-y%2B1%29%2F%281%2By%29