AI generatedAlgebraGCSE Higher / IGCSE Extended

Taking out a negative factor before cancelling

Reversing a subtraction changes its sign: = −().

  • Reversing a subtraction changes its sign: = −().
  • Take out −1 to make the common factors look identical.
  • Cancel the matching factors and retain the negative factor and original exclusions.

Example 1

Simplify. State any excluded values.

Take −1 out of the numerator and 3 out of the denominator.Cancel the common factor, retaining the minus sign.

Example 2

Simplify. State any excluded values.

Take −1 out of the numerator and 3 out of the denominator.Cancel the common factor, retaining the minus sign.

Remember
Use the worked steps to check your method, not just the final answer.

Your turn

Question 1

Simplify. State any excluded values.

Check answer
Take −1 out of the numerator and 3 out of the denominator.Cancel the common factor, retaining the minus sign.

Restrictions from the original expression: .

Question 2

Simplify. State any excluded values.

Check answer
Take −1 out of the numerator and 3 out of the denominator.Cancel the common factor, retaining the minus sign.

Restrictions from the original expression: .

Question 3

Simplify. State any excluded values.

Check answer
Take −1 out of the numerator and 3 out of the denominator.Cancel the common factor, retaining the minus sign.

Restrictions from the original expression: .

Question 4

Simplify. State any excluded values.

Check answer
Take −1 out of the numerator and 3 out of the denominator.Cancel the common factor, retaining the minus sign.

Restrictions from the original expression: .

Question 5

Simplify. State any excluded values.

Check answer
Take −1 out of the numerator and 3 out of the denominator.Cancel the common factor, retaining the minus sign.

Restrictions from the original expression: .

← All Algebra cardsReport a mistake