Question 310385
{{{x+4}}}/{{{x^2+8x+16}}}


Factoring is tricky but don't let it intimidate you.  Just do this:


{{{(x + 4)/(x + 4)(x + 4)}}}


Now can you see that these highlighted terms  cancel each other?

{{{(highlight(x + 4))/(highlight(x + 4))(x + 4)}}}


BUT when I say: "cancel" I'm not meaning that you can just just wipe out the (x + 4) in the numerator.  Why?  Well, when we "cancel" terms, we aren't just DELETING them!    Think of this:  {{{4/4}}} = 1, right?   Similarly, {{{25/25}}} = 1, right?



SO when we cancel out the (x + 4) above, we are really saying that {{{(x + 4)/(x + 4)}}} equals 1.



Therefore, this:  {{{(highlight(x + 4))/(highlight(x + 4))(x + 4)}}}


is really:   {{{(1)/(x + 4)}}}


Does that make sense?  I hope so.  If you need more help with canceling and factoring, check out my YouTube videos.  Just do a search on YouTube for PRMathChicago and when you find my name, you'll see some vids that my help you because they explain this in more detail.


Good luck. :-)