Question

Simplify the following: (x – 5)/(x2 – x – 20).

Answer 1

Solve for x

Answer 2

factorize denominator and see if you can cancel something

Answer 3

Can you make factors of the denominator??

Answer 4

to factorise (x2 – x – 20) you need 2 numbers whose product is -20 and whose sum is -1
(-1 to get the -x in the middle of the expression)

these 2 numbers are - 5 and + 4

so factors are (x + 4)(x - 5)