Question

What is the simplified form of the quantity x-squared minus 16 over the quantity x plus 4 ?

Answer 1

\[\frac{ x^2-16 }{ (x+4) }\]

Answer 2

\[\dfrac{x^2 - 16}{x+4}\]
I'd factor the numerator if I were you.

Answer 3

Remember the differences of squares? \[x^2 - a^2 = (x-a)(x+a)\]

Answer 4

so then, the numerator would be \[(x+4)(x-4)\]right?

Answer 5

Right.

Answer 6

and then the (x+4) would cancel each other out

Answer 7

Yes

Answer 8

leaving the answer as x - 4, with the restriction x ≠ -4

Answer 9

Yeah.

Answer 10

Thanks!

Answer 11

Glad I helped.

Answer 12

x-4, I did that one in my head

Answer 13

Good for you.