Flashcard 12 - 11th Grade Mathematics: Algebra Flashcard Set for the SBAC

\[\dfrac{x-8}{x-2} , \; x \ne 2, -8\]

Factor the numerator and denominator before cancelling common factors. So:

\[\dfrac{x^2-64}{x^2+6x-16} = \dfrac{(x+8)(x-8)}{(x+8)(x-2)} = \dfrac{x-8}{x-2}\]

Remember to include the excluded values before you simplify (what makes the denominator zero).