Question

What is the simplest form of

Answer 1

Factor the numerator and factor the denominator.

$\frac{x^2 + 5x - 36}{x^2 - 16} = \frac{(x +9)(x - 4)}{(x + 4)(x - 4)} = \frac{x+9}{x+4}$

Then you divide the numerator and the denominator by the common factor to reduce the fraction.