Question

How do you simplify and find the excluded values of `(x^2 + 5x + 4) / (x^2 - 16)`?

Answer 1

`(x + 1)/(x - 4)`

Explanation:

`f(x) = N/D = (x^2 + 5x + 4)/(x^2 - 16)`
Factor the numerator N = (x + 1)(x + 4)
Factor the denominator: D = (x - 4)(x + 4)
`f(x) = (x + 1)/(x - 4)`, with conditions: x different to `+- 4`