Simplify the radical expression if possible x+4 / x^2 - 16 ?

1 Answer
May 24, 2018

#1/(x-4)#

Explanation:

#(x+4)/(x^2-16)#

First, let's take a look at the numerator of the expression.

#x+4#

This cannot be simplified or expanded any further.

Next, let's look at the denominator.

#x^2-16#

This can be expanded through factoring. We can use the difference of squares.

#x^2-16=x^2-4^2=(x+4)(x-4)#

Now, we can rewrite the entire equation.

#(x+4)/((x+4)(x-4))#

Since the numerator and denominator now have a common term, we can simplify.

#cancel(x+4)/(cancel(x+4)(x-4))=1/(x-4)#