Simplifying Rational Expressions

Question

(a²+2a+1)/(5a+5)

 

 

 

Answer 1

(a² + 2a + 1)/(5a + 5)

What we need to do is factor out our problems. Our numerator is thankfully easy.

M * N = 1, and M + N = 2

1 * 1 = 1, and 1 + 1 = 2

(a + 1)(a + 1)

 

Now for the denominator. There is a five common in both parts, so we can factor a 5 out:

5(a + 1)

 

This now gives us:

(a + 1)(a + 1) / 5(a + 1)

 

From here, you should be able to see what in the numerator cancels out in the denominator to simplify your problem.