Pre-Algebra Examples

$\frac{a^{2} - 1}{a + 1}$

Step 1

Simplify the numerator.

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Step 1.1

Rewrite $1$ as $1^{2}$ .

$\frac{a^{2} - 1^{2}}{a + 1}$

Step 1.2

Since both terms are perfect squares, factor using the difference of squares formula, $a^{2} - b^{2} = (a + b) (a - b)$ where $a = a$ and $b = 1$ .

$\frac{(a + 1) (a - 1)}{a + 1}$

Step 2

Cancel the common factor of $a + 1$ .

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Step 2.1

Cancel the common factor.

$\frac{(a + 1) (a - 1)}{a + 1}$

Step 2.2

Divide $a - 1$ by $1$ .

$a - 1$