Question 196034
{{{(x^2-x-12)/(x^2-16)}}} Start with the given expression.



{{{((x+3)(x-4))/(x^2-16)}}} Factor {{{x^2-x-12}}} to get {{{(x+3)(x-4)}}}.



{{{((x+3)(x-4))/((x-4)(x+4))}}} Factor {{{x^2-16}}} to get {{{(x-4)(x+4)}}}.



{{{((x+3)highlight((x-4)))/(highlight((x-4))(x+4))}}} Highlight the common terms. 



{{{((x+3)cross((x-4)))/(cross((x-4))(x+4))}}} Cancel out the common terms. 



{{{(x+3)/(x+4)}}} Simplify. 



So {{{(x^2-x-12)/(x^2-16)}}} simplifies to {{{(x+3)/(x+4)}}}.



In other words, {{{(x^2-x-12)/(x^2-16)=(x+3)/(x+4)}}} where {{{x<>-4}}} or {{{x<>4}}}