Simplify (x+4)/(x^2-16)

$\frac{x + 4}{x^{2} - 16}$

Step 1

Simplify the denominator.

Rewrite $16$ as $4^{2}$ .

$\frac{x + 4}{x^{2} - 4^{2}}$

Since both terms are perfect squares, factor using the difference of squares formula, $a^{2} - b^{2} = (a + b) (a - b)$ where $a = x$ and $b = 4$ .

$\frac{x + 4}{(x + 4) (x - 4)}$

Step 2

Cancel the common factor of $x + 4$ .

Cancel the common factor.

$\frac{x + 4}{(x + 4) (x - 4)}$

Rewrite the expression.

$\frac{1}{x - 4}$