Question 266900


{{{(x^2-3x-40)/(x+5)}}} Start with the given expression.



{{{((x+5)*(x-8))/(x+5)}}} Factor {{{x^2-3x-40}}} to get {{{(x+5)*(x-8)}}}.



{{{((x+5)*(x-8))/((x+5))}}} Factor {{{x+5}}} to get {{{(x+5)}}}.



{{{(highlight(x+5)(x-8))/(highlight(x+5))}}} Highlight the common terms. 



{{{(cross(x+5)(x-8))/(cross(x+5))}}} Cancel out the common terms. 



{{{x-8}}} Simplify. 



So {{{(x^2-3x-40)/(x+5)}}} simplifies to {{{x-8}}}.



In other words, {{{(x^2-3x-40)/(x+5)=x-8}}} where {{{x<>-5}}}