The expression you provided is:

$\frac{x + 4}{x^2 - 49}$

To simplify this, notice that the denominator $x^2 - 49$ is a difference of squares, which can be factored as:

$x^2 - 49 = (x - 7)(x + 7)$

So, the expression becomes:

$\frac{x + 4}{(x - 7)(x + 7)}$

This is the simplified form of the given expression, though it cannot be simplified further unless additional values for $x$ are provided.

Would you like more details on how to factor differences of squares or any other concepts related to this?

Related Questions:

1. How do you simplify complex rational expressions?
2. What are the common types of factoring in algebra?
3. Can all quadratic expressions be factored, and how?
4. What happens if $x = 7$ or $x = -7$ in this expression?
5. How can you find vertical and horizontal asymptotes for this expression?

Tip:

When factoring, always look for common patterns like the difference of squares, perfect square trinomials, or greatest common factors.