16Hit1600
Advanced MathVery hardProduct of rational expressions

Advanced Math practice question

For x ≠ 1 and x ≠ −1, which expression is equivalent to (x² − 1)/(x + 1) · 1/(x − 1)?

  1. A. 1Correct
  2. B. x − 1
  3. C. (x − 1)²
  4. D. 1/(x + 1)

Answer: A. 1

(x² − 1)/(x + 1) = x − 1, and (x − 1) · 1/(x − 1) = 1.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. x − 1
x − 1 stops after the first simplification, forgetting the multiplication by 1/(x − 1).
C. (x − 1)²
(x − 1)² multiplies by (x − 1) instead of dividing.
D. 1/(x + 1)
1/(x + 1) cancels the wrong factor.

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