Question

Please help! Divide 3a^2+2a-1 by a^2-1

Answer 1

so one way is to factor and cross out zeroes

so factor 3a^2+2a-1
write the factors
(3a )(a )
now write the end factors
(3a-1)(a+1)
mutiply
(3a^2-a+3a-a)=3a^2+2a-1 correct

factor a^2-1
difference of 2 perfect squares
a^2-b^2=(a-b)(a+b)
a^2-1^2=(a-1)(a+1)

so now we have

`(3a^(2)+2a-1)/(a^2-1)= ((3a-1)(a+1))/((a-1)(a+1)) = (((3a-1))/((a-1))) (((a+1))/((a+1))) = (((3a-1))/((a-1))) (1)= ((3a-1))/((a-1))`

the answer is
`((3a-1))/((a-1))`