To add the rational expressions \(\frac{2x + 1}{x + 4}\) and \(\frac{x - 5}{x + 4}\), we need a common denominator. Since both fractions have the same denominator, we can directly add the numerators.
The expression can be rewritten as:
\[ \frac{2x + 1 + (x - 5)}{x + 4} \]
Now combine the numerators:
\[ 2x + 1 + x - 5 = 2x + x + 1 - 5 = 3x - 4 \]
Now we can write the combined expression:
\[ \frac{3x - 4}{x + 4} \]
So, the final result of adding the two rational expressions is:
\[ \frac{3x - 4}{x + 4} \]
This is the answer with terms arranged in order from largest degree to smallest degree.