Question

What does `(x^3-7x-6) / (x+1)` equal?

Answer 1

Simplify `f(x) = (x^3 - 7x - 6)/(x + 1)`

Ans: `x^2 - x - 6`

Explanation:

First, factor the numerator.
Since (- 1) is a real root, then one factor is (x + 1)
`(x^3 - 7x - 6) = (x + 1)(x^2 - x - 6).`
Therefor,
`f(x) = ((x + 1)(x^2 - x - 6))/(x + 1) = x^2 - x - 6`