How do you divide a whole number by an algebraic term?

Question

From the book " Arithmetic and Algebra Again..... " :

• 25x - 10                             5-2
•      5x                   =              x

I looked in previous chapter and pages for example problems and rules but there is nothing that covers this problem to help simplify - although the book gives the answers for chapter problems at the end of the book.

Why do the " x" remain in the answer. I know how to do division of algebraic terms

Answer 1

This statement is incorrect.  your book is wrong.

(25x - 10) / 5x     =    25x/5x   -   10/5x        = 25/5        -     2/x      =    5 - (2/x)   = 5x/x - 2/x  = (5x-2 )/ x