Even in the relatively simple case of a fifth degree polynomial you have no guarantee that you can factor it. There are sophisticated numerical approximations techniques, but that doesn't even touch the transcendental function case. You could easily run into a case of a rational function that you could not simplify while a student might get lucky.
WeBWorK Problems
subtle (?) precision problem
This forum has a limit to the number of forum postings you can make in a given time period - this is currently set at 10 posting(s) in 1 day