Question

Simplify by factorising first

Answer 1

x+8

Explanation:

Simplify the numerator

list the factors of 16

16: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16

look for two factors that add up to the b value

in this case it is 18

by looking at the factors 2 and 8 add up 10

so you can rewrite the numerator as
`x^(2)+2x+8x+16`

Split the trinomial into two separate binomials each having one of the factors that add up to 10

So it should be
`x^(2) +2x and 8x+16`

Factor both binomials

you can factor an x from the first one

Then it is x(x+2)

Factor an 8 from the second one

8(x+2)

So it should be
`x(x+2) 8(x+2)`

This can rewritten as (x+8)(x+2)

So now you have
`((x+2)(x+8))/(x+2))`

simplify it by canceling out the two (x+2)'s

this is because (x+2)/(x+2) is 1

Finally you get x+8