Certainly! Here is the transcription of the image written for an educational website: --- ### Algebraic Expression Simplification Consider the following algebraic expression that needs to be simplified: \[ \frac{6x^2 + 17x - 40}{x^2 + x - 20} + \frac{3}{x - 4} - \frac{5x}{x + 5} \] Let's break down and simplify this expression step by step. 1. **Identify Common Factors:** - Factorize the quadratic expressions in the denominators, if possible. - Determine a common denominator that can simplify the addition and subtraction of these rational expressions. 2. **Simplify Each Term:** - Simplify the individual fractions before attempting to combine them. 3. **Combine the Fractions:** - Once simplified, use the common denominator to combine the terms into a single rational expression. 4. **Check for Any Further Simplifications:** - After combining, verify if the resulting expression can be further simplified by canceling common factors in the numerator and denominator. By following these steps, you can effectively simplify complex algebraic expressions. Let’s apply this to the given expression and work through the solution. --- This transcription outlines the algebraic expression and sets the stage for a step-by-step simplification process, which would be useful for educational purposes.