How do you simplify #\frac { 9x ^ { 2} - 8x - 1} { x - 1}#?

1 Answer
Dec 31, 2016

You factor the numerator and then simplify once you have common terms. See below for full explanation.

Explanation:

The numerator of #(9x^2 - 8x - 1)/(x - 1)# can be factored:

#((9x + 1)(x - 1))/(x - 1)#

Now we can cancel the common terms in the numerator and denominator:

#((9x + 1)cancel(x - 1))/cancel((x - 1)) = #

#9x + 1#