# Rational Expressions

• October 20th 2010, 12:55 PM
physicswannabe123
Rational Expressions
Hi Im new to the forum. I need help with these questions.

Cal State Fullerton Web

can someone help me with one of the questions? I have the solutions but I cant figure out how to get to them.
• October 20th 2010, 01:20 PM
pickslides
Hi, welcome to the forum. Pls note it is preferred you show some your attempts with your work so we know where exactly to help.

Anyhow, here's some help with the first one.

$\displaystyle \frac{x-\frac{1}{x}}{1-\frac{1}{x}}$

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

$\displaystyle \frac{x^2-1}{x}\times \frac{x}{x-1}$

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

$\displaystyle \frac{(x-1)(x+1)}{x-1}$

$\displaystyle x+1$

Did you follow?
• October 20th 2010, 02:02 PM
physicswannabe123
no i cant figure out how u got from step to step except for the last two.
• October 20th 2010, 02:48 PM
skeeter
Quote:

Originally Posted by physicswannabe123
no i cant figure out how u got from step to step except for the last two.

$\displaystyle \frac{x - \frac{1}{x}}{1 - \frac{1}{x}}$

multiply numerator and denominator by x to clear the inside fractions ...

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

factor the numerator and simplify ... you're done.
• October 23rd 2010, 02:59 PM
physicswannabe123