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Bunuel
If \(x ≠ 1\) and \(x ≠ -1\), then \(\frac{(x^3 + 1)(x^3 − 1 )}{(x^2 − 1)}\) must equal to which of the folllowing?

A. \(x^4 + x^2 + 1\)

B. \(x^4 + x^3 + x + 1\)

C. \(x^6 – 1 \)

D. \(x^6 + 1\)

E. \(x^4 + x^2 - 1\)


Are You Up For the Challenge: 700 Level Questions

Solution:


    • \((x^3 + 1) = (x + 1) (x^2 -x + 1) \)
    •\((x^3 - 1) = (x - 1) (x^2 + x + 1)\)
    •\((x^3 + 1)(x^3 - 1) = (x^2 - 1) [(x^2 + 1)^2 - x ^2] =(x^2 - 1) (x^4 + x^2 + 1)\)
    • \(\frac{(x^3 + 1)(x^3 - 1)}{(x^2- 1)} = \frac{(x^2 - 1) (x^4 + x^2 + 1)}{(x^2 - 1)}\\
    \)
After cancelling \((x^2 -1)\), we get
    • \(x^4 + x^2 + 1\)
Hence, the correct answer is Option A.­
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(x^3+1)(x^3-1)/ (x^2-1)

Numerator x^3-1 = (x-1)(x^2+1+x)
Denominator = (x-1)(x+1)
Numerator x^3+1 = (x+1)(x^2+1-x)

Hence expression comes as
(x^2+x+1)(x^2-x+1)

(x^2+1)^2 -x^2
x^4+x^2+1

Hence A
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I wasn't aware of the formula, so i used substitution method; x=2

Putting x= 2 in given eqn, we get 21.

By putting 2 in all options, only A gives 21.
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For this question, you should be aware of the following identities. If you know these, then this question is a super-easy one for you!

(a3+b3) = (a+b)(a2+b2-ab)
(a3-b3) = (a-b)(a2+b2+ab)
(a2-b2) = (a+b)(a-b)

Thus,
(x3+1)(x3-1)/(x2-1) = (x+1)(x2+1-x)(x-1)(x2+1+x)/(x+1)(x-1)

(x2+1-x)(x2+1+x) = (x2+1)2 - (x2)

=> x^4+1+2x2-x2 = x^4+1+x2

Hence, the correct option is Option (A) (Answer)
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