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How do you simplify #(8-x)/(x^2-7x-8)#?

Answer 1

Kennedy Adams

#-1/(x+1)#

First, let's factor the denominator's quadratic:

#x^2-7x-8=(x-8)(x+1)#

Actually, the numerator's negative is the first factor:

#8-x = -(x-8)#

Thus, we can recast our fraction as follows:

#(-(x-8))/((x-8)(x+1))#

Finally

#-1/(x+1)#

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Answer 2

Jameson Allen

To simplify the expression (8-x)/(x^2-7x-8), you can factor the denominator and then cancel out any common factors with the numerator. The denominator can be factored as (x-8)(x+1). Therefore, the simplified expression is (8-x)/(x-8)(x+1).

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.