Which factor do you cancel from the numerator and denominator to simplify x squared minus 4 times x minus 5 all over x squared minus 25.?

a. x + 4
b. x − 4
c. x − 5
d. x + 5

Question

Which factor do you cancel from the numerator and denominator to simplify x squared minus 4 times x minus 5 all over x squared minus 25.?

	 a. x + 4	
	 b. x − 4	
	 c. x − 5	
	 d. x + 5

anonymous · Answer

Start by factoring the denominator

anonymous · Answer

what?

anonymous · Answer

$$\huge \frac{(x-4)(x-5)}{x^2-25}$$
you can't cross anything out as of now so factor all the terms you can

anonymous · Answer

so the answer is b?

anonymous · Answer

Nope. You can keep guessing until you get a yeah or you can try and follow my instructions.

anonymous · Answer

ok

anonymous · Answer

a

anonymous · Answer

that isn't even a thing in the expression

anonymous · Answer

so, nah

anonymous · Answer

does this help? $$\huge \frac{(x-4)(x-5)}{x^2-25} = \huge \frac{(x-4)(x-5)}{x+5)(x-5)}$$

anonymous · Answer

yes its d!!!

anonymous · Answer

You can only cross out equivalent expressions. like so:|dw:1405349477937:dw|