Thread: simplifying rational expressions!! ?

x³-2x²-5x+6 / x² - x -6

i tried grouping but it didnt work...... o_o please help

Try long division.

Factorise the top and bottom to get: (x-3)(x+2)(x-1)/(x-3)(x+2) then cancel out the like factors.

where did you get (x-3) ??

If you have a polynomial of form
an * x^n + ... + m then the roots are in the set
±m
----
±n
Here they are ±1 ±2 and ±3.
That's a way to find it. You try them and keep the one that works.

I tried long division and it works. I get (x-1)

Originally Posted by edmundyong

I tried long division and it works. I get (x-1)

why are you responding to a thread that is over 4 years old?