Question

Simplify the following rational expression.

Answer 1

9514 1404 393

Answer:

  (x-8)/(4x-4)  x ≠ 1 or 8

Step-by-step explanation:

Common factors can be cancelled, but cannot be ignored when it comes to determining where the function is undefined.

  $\dfrac{x^2-16x+64}{4x^2-36x+32}=\dfrac{(x-8)^2}{4(x-8)(x-1)}=\boxed{\dfrac{x-8}{4x-4}}$

The function is undefined for x=1 and x=8, the values of x that make the original denominator zero.