SOLUTION: How do you simplify X^4 -4x -32 Over x^2-16 I figured out that the bottom would be (x-4)(x+4) But don't know how to do the top because of the x^4 Please and thanks

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: How do you simplify X^4 -4x -32 Over x^2-16 I figured out that the bottom would be (x-4)(x+4) But don't know how to do the top because of the x^4 Please and thanks       Log On


   

Question 896387: How do you simplify
X^4 -4x -32
Over x^2-16
I figured out that the bottom would be (x-4)(x+4)
But don't know how to do the top because of the x^4
Please and thanks
Answer by harpazo(655) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let u = x^2

u^2 - 4u - 32

(u - 8)(u + 4)= our new top

Replace u with x^2.

(x^2 - 8)(x^2 + 4)/(x - 4)(x + 4)