Rectangle A has an area of 16 − x2. Rectangle B has an area of x2 + 2x − 24. In simplest form, what is the ratio of the area of Rectangle A to the area of Rectangle B? Show your work.

Question

pfenn1 · Answer

ratio of areas of A to B$$\frac{16-x^2}{x^2+2x-24}$$I think this can be simplified by factoring the numerator and denominator

anonymous · Answer

How would I simplify that?

anonymous · Answer

oh nevermind lol

anonymous · Answer

@pfenn1  is (4-x)^2 the factorization of 16-x^2?

pfenn1 · Answer

No.  $$(4-x)^2=16-8x+x^2$$$$16-x^2=(4-x)(4+x)$$This is a good thing to memorize.  When ever you see a expression in the form of (a^2 - b^2), the factors are always (a - b)(a + b)

anonymous · Answer

man they really reach to make these algebra questions into "word problems" don't they?