Question

How can I simplify this expression

Answer 1

Usually, "simplify" means to remove any common factors and express the sum as a single fraction, often in multiplie-out form.

If you factor what you've got, you will write it as

`((m+2)(m-2))/((m+1))+((m+2))/((m+1)^2)=(m+2)/(m+1)\cdot\left((m-2)+(1)/(m+1)\right)\\\\=(m+2)/(m+1)\cdot((m-2)(m+1)+1)/(m+1)\\\\=((m+2)(m^2-m-1))/((m+1)^2)\\\\=(m^3+m^2-3m-2)/(m^2+2m+1)`