How do i divide x2 - x - 12 by x - 4?

Answer 1

x2 - x - 12

First try and factor that expression.

Notice that it happens to be the product of (x - 4) and (x + 3). This makes your problem easy.

(x2 - x - 12) / (x - 4)

= (x - 4) (x + 3) / (x - 4)

Now just divide numerator and denominator by the common factor. ("Cancel" (x - 4) out of numerator and denominator.)

Wind up with the answer = (x + 3)