Ù­ = multiplication ^ = to the power of (i.e. x^2 = x squared) There are four basic stages to solving this rational expression. A) Flip B) Factor C) Eliminate D) Simplify A) You cannot divide two equations. You must revert to multiplication. To do this, flip the second equation. Your problem will then look like this: (x^2-25)/x Ù­ x^2/(x^2+6x+5) B) There are two things you can factor: (x^2-25) and (x^2+6x+5). The first is a difference in squares. It can be factored thusly: (x^2-25) = (x+5)(x-5) The second is a trinomial and is factored like this: (x2+6x+5) Product=5, Sum=6 The only two numbers that fit this are 5 and 1. Hence: (x+5)(x+1) Now your problem looks like this: (x+5)(x-5)/x Ù­ x^2/(x+5)(x+1) C) Now you must eliminate that which is common in the numerator and the denominator. The only common variable is (x+5). Cross them both out. Your remaining equation: (x-5)/x Ù­ x^2/(x+1) D) Put the two equations together. Numerators together, denominators together: x^2(x-5) / x(x+1) Notice that you can divide the x^2 in the numerator by the solitary x in the denominator. Therefore, your equation looks like this: x(x-5) / (x+1) If you've noticed a mistake with my math or you're still confused, let me know. I'll do what I can to help.