Answer
$-x-2$
Work Step by Step
Simplifying Rational Expressions
1. Factor the numerator and the denominator completely.
2. Divide both the numerator and the denominator by any common factors.
---
Numerator = difference of squares = $(x+2)(x-2)$
Denominator = $-(x-2)$
Expression = $\displaystyle \frac{(x+2)(x-2)}{ -(x-2)}$
... divide both with the common factor: $(x-2)$
Expression = $\displaystyle \frac{x+2}{-1}$ = $-(x+2)$ = $-x-2$
