Question

Which of the following is the simplified form of x^2-16/x-4?
a. x + 4, with the restriction x ≠ -4
b. x - 4, with the restriction x ≠ -4
c. x + 4, with the restriction x ≠ 4

Answer 1

Just factor \[\large \sf x^{2}-16\] and the rest is easy

Answer 2

i dont know how too this is my first time trying it

Answer 3

What numbers can you multiply together to get -16 and add to get 0?

Answer 4

4 and -4

Answer 5

Right. So since you need to get x² it will look like this \[\large \sf (x-4)(x+4)\] Can you take it from there?

Answer 6

do i have to do foil?

Answer 7

Well if you "foiled", what you would get is \[\large \sf x^{2}-16\] We factored it to get away from that form. So the entire fraction will now look like this. \[\large \sf \frac{(x-4)(x+4)}{x-4}\] Any idea what to do next?

Answer 8

i would cancel out the -4s?

Answer 9

Close. You would cancel out the (x-4)'s

Answer 10

and then i would be left with (x+4)?

Answer 11

with the restriction x≠-4?

Answer 12

Yep, in other words "x+4" is the simplified version. And you are wrong on the second part, the restriction is x ≠ 4

Answer 13

oh alright. Can you help me with a really long one please

Answer 14

Tag me and I'll see.