simplify (y+x)(y-x)/5(x-y)

Question

Hello all, can (y+x)(y-x)/5(x-y) be simplified further? I don't think it can but just wanted to make sure. 

 

Thanks in advance. 

Answer 1

(y+x)(y-x)/5(x-y)

multiply both top and bottom by -1 but remember that only one factor in each term of the fraction gets multiplied by -1

(-1)(y-x)(y+x)/(-1)(5)(x-y)

(-1)(y-x)=(x-y) and (-1)(5)=-5

(x-y)(y+x)/(-5)(x-y)

simplify (eliminate each (x-y))

(y+x)/(-5), or...

-(x+y)/5

Answer 2

yes it can be factored further.  Try taking out a negative sign from one of the factors.

Answer 3

Yes, the (x - y) in the numerator reduces with the (x - y) in the denominator.