Question

Which of the following is equal to the rational expression when x cannot equal 5 or -1.

(x-7)(x+1)/(x+1)(x-5

Answer 1

(x-7)/(x-5)

Step-by-step explanation:

apex

Answer 2

Answer: (x-7)/(x-5)

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Step-by-step explanation:

We have a pair of (x+1) terms. One is up top in the numerator. The other is down below in the denominator. The pair of terms cancel out when we divide. So we go from this

( (x-7)(x+1) )/( (x+1)(x-5) )

to this

(x-7)/(x-5)

after the cancellations.

The "x cannot equal 5 or -1" is to ensure we don't have division by zero errors.