Question 146057
{{{(-2x-8)/(x^2+2x-8)}}} Start with the given expression.



{{{(-2(x+4))/(x^2+2x-8)}}} Factor {{{-2x-8}}} to get {{{-2(x+4)}}}.



{{{(-2(x+4))/((x+4)*(x-2))}}} Factor {{{x^2+2x-8}}} to get {{{(x+4)*(x-2)}}}.



{{{((-2)highlight((x+4)))/(highlight((x+4))(x-2))}}} Highlight the common terms. 



{{{((-2)cross((x+4)))/(cross((x+4))(x-2))}}} Cancel out the common terms. 



{{{(-2)/(x-2)}}} Simplify. 



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



In other words, {{{(-2x-8)/(x^2+2x-8)=(-2)/(x-2)}}} where {{{x<>-4}}} or {{{x<>2}}}