Question

Simplify. -14x^3/x^3-5x^4

Answer 1

Do you see any common factors you can remove from numerator and denominator?

Answer 2

well if you factor x^3 from the denominator then you'll cancel out the x^3 with the numerator

Answer 3

-1 can also be factored out of both

Answer 4

ok so -13x^3/x^3-4x^4 ??

Answer 5

Not subtracted, factored.

\[\frac{-14x^3}{x^3-5x^4} = \frac{\cancel{x^3}(-14)}{\cancel{x^3}(1-5x)}\]

Answer 6

\[\frac{-14x^3}{x^3-5x^4} = \frac{\cancel{x^3}(-14)}{\cancel{x^3}(1-5x )} = \frac{\cancel{-1}(14)}{\cancel{-1}(5x-1)}=\frac{14}{5x-1}\]