Question

how can i simplify this
(x^2 - 8x + 15) / (x - 5)

Answer 1

Can you factor the numerator?

Answer 2

i dnt know how to factor the numerator

Answer 3

Well, what two numbers add up to -8 but multiply together to get 15?

Answer 4

no teo numbers multiply together to get 15

Answer 5

hint one of them is -3
-3 + x = -8
-3 * x = 15

Answer 6

-5

Answer 7

yeah, so you factor the numerator as (x-5)(x-3), now can you simplify the expression?

Answer 8

i dont get how to simplify

Answer 9

Ok, its kind of like .. (5*3) / 5, how do you simplify that?

Answer 10

the answer would be 3

Answer 11

so the answer would be x-3

Answer 12

Yeah, because you can just cross out the 5's, because you multiply then divide by 5
Its the same thing here:
(x-5)(x-3)
-------
(x-5)
Any idea how to do it now?

Answer 13

so the answer would be x-3 ??

Answer 14

Yup :), get it?

Answer 15

ya thanks so much