Question

Simplify $\frac{x^2+2x-8}{x^2-x-20}$

• A. $\frac{x-2}{x-5}$
• B. $\frac{x+2}{x-5}$
• C. $\frac{x+4}{x+5}$
• D. $\frac{x-4}{x-5}$

Answer 1

The correct option is A $\frac{x-2}{x-5}$

$x^2+2x-8=x^2+4x-2x-8=x(x+4)-2(x+4)=(x+4)(x-2)$
$x^2-x-20=x^2-5x+4x-20=x(x-5)+4(x-5)=(x-5)(x+4)$