Tough One: figure out y/y^2-1+5y/y-y^2

LMande

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Jul 6, 2006
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y/y^2-1+5y/y-y^2

I can't figure this one out! Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
Re: Tough One!

LMande said:
y/y^2-1+5y/y-y^2
I can't figure this one out! Any help would be greatly appreciated!
1: clarify using brackets; like, is it y / (y^2 - 1) ?
2: you can't figure WHAT out? There is no question; WHAT are you suppose to do?
 
Re: Tough One!

LMande said:
y/y^2-1+5y/y-y^2

I can't figure this one out! Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I will assume that this is your problem:

Code:
   y             5y
------   +   -------
y^2 - 1    y - y^2
Factor each denominator:

    y                5y
----------- +  ------------
(y+1)(y-1)     y(1 - y)

Note that (1 - y) is the OPPOSITE of y - 1.....multiply numerator and denominator of the second fraction by -1:

      y             -5y
--------- +   ------------
(y+1)(y-1)      y(y - 1)

The common denominator for the two fractions is y(y+1)(y-1)

Multiply numerator and denominator of the first fraction by y, and multiply numerator and denominator of the second fraction by (y + 1).  This will make both fractions have y(y+1)(y-1) as a denominator:

    y * y             -5y(y+1)
-------------   +   ---------------
(y+1)(y-1)y         y(y-1)(y+1)

Now, the fractions have the same denominator.  Add the numerators, and put the result over the common denominator:
    y^2 + (-5y)(y+1)
   ------------------------
      y(y+1)(y-1)

Simplify the numerator.  Reduce the fraction, if possible.

I hope this helps you.
 
Something I find useful:
Code:
      y             -5y 
--------- +   ------------ 
(y+1)(y-1)      y(y - 1)
At this stage of Mrspi's equations, let a = y+1 and b = y-1; then we have:

y / ab - 5y / by

= y / ab - 5 / b

= (y - 5a) / ab

Now substitute back in:
[y - 5(y + 1)] / [(y + 1)(y - 1)]

= -(4y + 5) / (y^2 - 1)

...and you're finished: I use that method because I'm a one-finger typer,
well really because I'm lazy :shock:
 
Wow.. this is a different language to me!

This is great that you all are here to help! I hope someday to be able to help others too! I've just started classes after being out of school for 14 years (yikes). To think, once upon a time all this made sense to me. I mean it still does, just trying to translate it onto a computer makes it more difficult for me. Sorry I wasn't so clear in my question (or lack of).

I really appreciate all your help!
 
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