Actually just the x on the top is squared not both the 4 and the x, just for future reference. To simplify this you need to write the question out more. So the top would look like:
4*x*x
*=multiplication sign by the way
The bottom would look like:
4*x-9
Sadly math made our lives harder by not letting us separate the x in the bottom from the 9. Since they are combined by subtraction(same goes for addition) and not multiplication or division(although the whole problem is being divided so you won't be dividing it any more anyways, at least not yet you won't be) they can't be separated.
However now you see the problem as so:
4*x*x/4*x-9
We already know we can't separate the x-9 but we can simplify the 4. As you can see there is a four located on both the top and bottom and they are both separated by multiplication instead of addition or subtraction. That means they cancel out. You are now left with x*x/x-9. You can't separate the bottom any more so that's how you know you're done. When either the top or bottom can't be simplified any more. Your final answer would then be x^2/x-9.
Yeah, you can put both the x's in top back together now to truly have it as simplified as possible.
Just as a side note if instead of a 4 on the top or bottom there was an 8, you could still simplify. Think 8/4 or 4/8 those can be simplified. So simplify them accordingly along with the problem. Hope this helped!
-Liananna
