Isn't there a way to solve this

(x+7)(x-1)= (x+1)(x+1)
like, making both sides have the same denominator ?

I know how to solve it the other way

Neither side has a denominator. There is no division indicated.

Multiply both sides out, combine like terms and then deal with that equation made to equal zero.

?x^2 ± ?x ± ? = 0

? = missing numerical values.

Is that what you did?

Factor that to solve.

To solve the equation (x+7)(x-1) = (x+1)(x+1), we can expand both sides of the equation and simplify it.

First, let's expand both sides:

(x+7)(x-1) = (x+1)(x+1)
x(x-1) + 7(x-1) = (x+1)(x+1)
x^2 - x + 7x - 7 = x^2 + 2x + 1

Now, we can simplify both sides:

x^2 + 6x - 7 = x^2 + 2x + 1

To make it easier to solve, we can move all terms to one side of the equation:

x^2 + 6x - 7 - x^2 - 2x - 1 = 0
4x - 8 = 0

Next, we can solve for x by isolating the variable:

4x - 8 = 0
4x = 8
x = 8/4
x = 2

Therefore, the solution to the equation (x+7)(x-1) = (x+1)(x+1) is x = 2.

Using a common denominator approach, as you mentioned, can be done as well. However, for this particular equation, it might not simplify the process significantly. Nevertheless, let's explore that method too:

(x+7)(x-1) = (x+1)(x+1)

Expand both sides:

x(x-1) + 7(x-1) = (x+1)(x+1)
x^2 - x + 7x - 7 = x^2 + 2x + 1

Combine like terms:

x^2 + 6x - 7 = x^2 + 2x + 1

Subtracting x^2 from both sides:

6x - 7 = 2x + 1

Subtracting 2x from both sides:

4x - 7 = 1

Adding 7 to both sides:

4x = 8

Dividing by 4:

x = 2

So the solution to the equation (x+7)(x-1) = (x+1)(x+1) is x = 2.