in equation x - 1/x

Question

________
x + 1/x My answer key said the answer was x squared -1
_____________
squared + 1
I'm wandering why it wouldn't simply be
x-1
______
x+1

Answer 1

i meant my answer was x squared - 1
______________
x squared +1

original equation x-1/x
________
x+1/x

Answer 2

equation? Where is the equal sign? I have no idea what you need to do.

Answer 3

As Bob noted you don't have an equation.

you probably have the expression

(x - 1/x)/(1 + 1/x)
and are asked to simplify it.

Hint: how about multiplying the fraction by x/x

Answer 4

yes the directions are to simplify

Answer 5

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

(x+1)(x-1)
-----------
(x+1)

= x-1