Which expression is equivalent to the fraction with numerator open paren x plus 1 close paren squared minus 9 and denominator x plus 4 ?

Rewrite the numerator as a difference of squares: (x + 1)² − 9 = (x + 1 − 3)(x + 1 + 3) = (x − 2)(x + 4). Cancel the common factor x + 4, giving x − 2 (for x ≠ −4), which is choice A.

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