The expression simplifies algebraically to

MATHEMATICS · Subjective · AP · AP Precalculus · Polynomial and Rational Functions · Polynomial and Rational Functions

Problem

The expression (x−1)(x+1)x−1\dfrac{(x-1)(x+1)}{x-1} simplifies algebraically to x+1x+1. Explain in one sentence why the original expression does not define a polynomial function on R\mathbb{R}.

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