math, simplify rational expression?

(x^2-5x+4) / x-1

x - 4 ............ quotient

x^2-5x + 4 divide by x-1

x^2 - x..........multiply x by x-1 then subtract

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..... -4x + 4

..... -4x + 4

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x^2-5x + 4 divide by x-1 = x-4

the factors are

(x-1)(x-4)

(x^2 - 5x + 4)/(x - 1)

= (x^2 - x - 4x + 4)/(x - 1)

= (x - 1)(x - 4)/(x - 1) (cancel out x - 1)

= (x - 4)/1

= x - 4

(x^2-5x+4) / (x-1)

= (x-4)(x-1)/(x-1)

= x-4

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Ideas: Factor the numerator, and cancel (x-1).

the answer is x-4.

what you do is factor the top equation into (x-4)(x-1) and since there is an (x-1) in the top and bottom, they cancel. that leaves just (x-4). hope that helped.

(x^2-5x+4)/x-1

factor the polynomial

(x-4)(x-1) /(x-1)

check using FOIL

F: first times first = xx = x^2

O: outer times outer = -1X

I: inner times inner = -4x

L: last times last = -4*-1 = 4

so you get

(x^2)-1x-4x+4 + (x^2)-5x+4

to continue

(x-4)(x-1)/(x-1) = (x-4)

(x^2-5x+4) / x-1

= (x-4)(x-1) / (x-1)

= (x-4)