Question

Take any number other than 1. Square that number and then subtract 1. divide by one less than your original number. now subtract your original number. you should end up at one. how does this work?? Rewrite and use a variable instead of and actual number and rewrite the problem as one rational expression.

Answer 1

let your number be x
square that number --- x^2
subtract 1 ----- x^2 - 1
divide by one less than original number ---- (x^2 - 1)/(x-1)
= (x+1)(x-1)/(x-1)
= x+1
subtract original number
x+1 - x
= 1