Write the rational expression in simplest form and get the restrictions.

(x^2+ 3x -40) / (x^2 +12x +32)

To simplify the rational expression (x^2 + 3x - 40) / (x^2 + 12x + 32), we need to factor the numerator and the denominator and then cancel out any common factors.

Let's start by factoring the numerator:
x^2 + 3x - 40 = (x + 8)(x - 5)

Now, let's factor the denominator:
x^2 + 12x + 32 = (x + 4)(x + 8)

Now we can write the simplified form of the rational expression:
(x^2 + 3x - 40) / (x^2 + 12x + 32) = (x + 8)(x - 5) / (x + 4)(x + 8)

Notice that we can cancel out the factor (x + 8) in both the numerator and the denominator, which leaves us with:
(x - 5) / (x + 4)

The restrictions for this expression occur when the denominator becomes zero, since division by zero is undefined. In this case, the denominator (x + 4) becomes zero when x = -4. Therefore, the restriction for this rational expression is x ≠ -4.

Both top and bottom factor

Go for it !

the answer i got is (x-5)/(x+4). now how do i get the restriction?

hello, why no response

Patience

Most of the tutors are volunteers and we don't sit on the computer all the time waiting for posts. I go on here when I feel like it, soo ....

you must have divided by x+8.
If x = -8, that would be zero, so you have to restrict your answer to
(x-5)/(x+4) , x ≠ -8

some authors would insist on
(x-5)/(x+4) , x ≠ -8, -4

but for x=-4, the original would be just as undefined as the final answer, so that restriction could be omitted.
whereas for x = -8, the original comes out to 0/0, while the final answer would be -3/4 , so they would not be equal for that value. Thus the restriction.
Check with your teacher if he/she requires both implicit and explicit restrictions.

x² +12 x + 32 = 0

The solutions of this equation are:

x = - 8 and x = - 4

If the denominator of a fraction is zero, the expression is not
a legal fraction because it's overall value is undefined.

Restrictions:

x ≠ - 8 , x ≠ - 4

By the way your result is correct.

( x² + 3 x - 40 ) / ( x² +12 x + 32 ) = ( x - 5 ) / ( x + 4 )

Reiny is right.

Go on:
wolframalpha. c o m

When page be open in rectangle type:

plot ( x^2 + 3 x - 40 ) / ( x^2 +12 x + 32 ) , x = - 10 to 10

and clic option =

You will see graph

For x = - 8

( x² + 3 x - 40 ) / ( x² +12 x + 32 ) is defined