To solve this problem and others like it, I would recommend mastering a few skills. The first skill you need is factoring. If you understand how to factor you will understand how to get started with the problem.x^2-x. Can be factored . X is common in both components of the equation therefore x can be factored out like this. X(x-1). Because if you perform the multiplication you will get the same equation you started with. Now plug this back into the original equation by substituting x(x-1) for x^2-x. So it should look like x(x-1)/ x-1. Now you should look for similar components on the top and the bottom to cancel out each other. Because you have x-1 on the top and bottom they cancel each other out and you are left with x.