SOLUTION: I don't think these are from the book, I guess this is why I am having such a huge problem with them I have four questions that I am struggling with help me simply this rat

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Question 146995: I don't think these are from the book, I guess this is why I am having such a huge problem with them
I have four questions that I am struggling with

help me simply this rational expression
x^2 – 7x + 12
x^2 – 16

I don't know if this makes a difference but x^2-7x+12 are all underlined

Found 2 solutions by jim_thompson5910, oscargut:
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

%28x%5E2-7x%2B12%29%2F%28x%5E2-16%29 Start with the given expression.


%28%28x-3%29%2A%28x-4%29%29%2F%28x%5E2-16%29 Factor x%5E2-7x%2B12 to get %28x-3%29%2A%28x-4%29.


%28%28x-3%29%2A%28x-4%29%29%2F%28%28x-4%29%2A%28x%2B4%29%29 Factor x%5E2-16 to get %28x-4%29%2A%28x%2B4%29.


%28%28x-3%29highlight%28x-4%29%29%2F%28highlight%28x-4%29%28x%2B4%29%29 Highlight the common terms.


%28%28x-3%29cross%28x-4%29%29%2F%28cross%28x-4%29%28x%2B4%29%29 Cancel out the common terms.


%28%28x-3%29%29%2F%28%28x%2B4%29%29 Simplify.


So %28x%5E2-7x%2B12%29%2F%28x%5E2-16%29 simplifies to %28%28x-3%29%29%2F%28%28x%2B4%29%29.


In other words, %28x%5E2-7x%2B12%29%2F%28x%5E2-16%29=%28%28x-3%29%29%2F%28%28x%2B4%29%29 where x%3C%3E-4 or x%3C%3E4

Answer by oscargut(2103) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
(x^2 – 7x + 12)/(x^2 – 16)= (x-4)(x-3)/(x-4)(x+4)=(x-3)/(X+4)