maths.free › Algebra › Simplifying expressions

Simplifying expressions

Cancelling common factors and combining fractions.

To simplify a rational expression, factor the numerator and the denominator and cancel what they share: remembering the cancelled factor still forbids the value that made it zero. Sums of fractions are combined over a common denominator, just like numbers.

Àwọn ààtò àwọn ìṣàmúlò-ètò · simplify (x^2-1)/(x-1)

Algebra · Simplifying

Simplify (x^2 - 1)/(x - 1)

\frac{x^{2} - 1}{x - 1}

Àwọn ìṣàmúlò-ètò

\frac{x^{2} - 1}{x - 1}
Start from the expression.
x + 1
Factor numerator and denominator and cancel common factors.

Fi àwọn àgbèwọlé hàn

x + 1

Nígbà yìí Yan àwọn àkóónú kan, tàbí tẹ̀ àtí kọ́ àwọn àkóónú rẹ̀. Àwọn ìṣàmúlò-ètò gbogbo, àwòrán, àwọn à

Fi iṣẹ́ rẹ̀ pamọ́

A free account adds notes on every lesson, a record of what you have finished, your solved problems in one place, and a tutor you can ask about this page. The maths itself is open to everyone, signed in or not.

Fikún Àwọn Ìṣàmúlò-ètò

Àwọn àmì-ìwé tí a lo níbẹ̀

Tẹ àwọn àmì-ìwé fún ìṣàfarawé fún àwọn ìṣàmúlò-ètò, àwòrán, àti àwọn àmì-ìwé àwọn àmì-ìwé.

Bii o ṣe le: Simplifying expressions

Start from the expression.
Factor numerator and denominator and cancel common factors.

Àwọn Àtòjọ-ẹ̀yàn

What does it mean to solve an equation?

To find every value of the unknown that makes both sides equal. Each step is an operation applied to both sides that keeps the solution set the same, until the unknown stands alone.

Why do I sometimes get two answers?

A quadratic can cross the axis twice, so it can have two solutions. A degree-n polynomial has up to n. The graph shows where each one comes from.

How do I know whether to factor or use the quadratic formula?

Try factoring for a few seconds: look for two numbers that multiply to a·c and add to b. If nothing obvious appears, the discriminant b² − 4ac tells you how many real roots there are, and the formula finds them without guessing.

Diẹ̀ nínú Algebra

Linear equations Quadratic equations Systems of equations Inequalities Factoring Expanding Functions and graphs Exponential and logarithmic equations Polynomial equations Absolute value