Simplify this algebraic fraction: 2(x+8) + 2(x+6) / x^2 - 49

Let's start with the numerator. According to BIDMAS we first expand the brackets: 2x+16+2x+12 Now add the like terms: 4x+28We can now take 4 out as a factor: 4(x+7)Now looking at the denominator we can recognise the 'difference of two squares'. We know 49 is 7 squared so we can factorise this: (x+7)(x-7)Now both the numerator and denominator are simplified, we can cancel the common factor seen in both which is (x+7)Now we have simplified this fraction as much as we can: 4 / x-7