Simplify:

Question

Simplify:

anonymous · Answer

$$\frac{ 15x + 15 }{ x^2 - 1 }$$

compassionate · Answer

Hello, my name is Stephen and I will be your tutor. 

The first step is to factor the bottom terms and top terms, do you see any possible factors, Mikeyy?

anonymous · Answer

15(x + 1)
--------
(x - 1)(x + 1)

anonymous · Answer

Is that correct?

compassionate · Answer

Correct! Now, you see the x + 1's will cancel, leaving you with $$\frac{ 15 }{ x - 1 }$$

anonymous · Answer

So: (x + 1) would cancel out (x + 1) and not (x - 1)

I thought negative would cancel out a positive and other way around. That's where I got confused.

compassionate · Answer

No, that's not the case. Only like terms can cancel each other, for example, if I had $$\frac{ x - y }{ x - a }$$
The terms cannot cancel, nor can the x's, because x - y and x - a, are terms themselves. You need to understand that. Now, if I had: x - y over x - y, then I could cancel. 

Only terms that are exactly the same can be canceled.

anonymous · Answer

Oh okay, thank you for that information ^.^

compassionate · Answer

You're welcome! 

OpenStudy On ~~

anonymous · Answer

You too (: