Thread: Do i factor first or do i simplify first?

So do i simplify or factor first?

Originally Posted by eh501

So do i simplify or factor first?

As I can't see a way to simplify this (unless you want to do a division problem) then I would factor first.

-Dan

Ok, so i would get

Do i just leave it like that?

Originally Posted by eh501

Ok, so i would get

Do i just leave it like that?

No, now you have the problem in a form where you have a common x + 5 in the numerator and denominator. NOW divide. But remember that you can't divide by 0, so at the end you must write the line .

-Dan