Question

Simplify (2x^2+x-12)/(x^2-16)

Answer 1

2x^2 + x - 12

Doesn't look like it factors nicely, so we'll do a minor cheat and use something you haven't encountered yet.

quadratic formula

x = (-1 +- sqrt(1 + 96))/4

x = (-1 +- sqrt(97))/4

So the top doesn't factor nicely, but the bottom does.

(2x^2 + x - 12)/(x-4)(x + 4)