To find the sum of the rational expressions \(-\frac{4x - 4}{x^2 - 2} + \frac{2x - 8}{2x - 8}\), we first need to put them over a common denominator and simplify.
- The first expression is \(-\frac{4x - 4}{x^2 - 2}\).
- The second expression simplifies to \(1\) since \(\frac{2x - 8}{2x - 8} = 1\).
Now, let's rewrite the first expression:
- We can factor the numerator of the first fraction: \(-\frac{4(x - 1)}{x^2 - 2}\).
- The denominator \(x^2 - 2\) remains unchanged.
Now, we rewrite the original problem: \[ -\frac{4(x - 1)}{x^2 - 2} + 1 \]
To combine these expressions, we need a common denominator. The common denominator is \(x^2 - 2\): \[ -\frac{4(x - 1)}{x^2 - 2} + \frac{x^2 - 2}{x^2 - 2} \]
This will give us: \[ -\frac{4(x - 1)}{x^2 - 2} + \frac{x^2 - 2}{x^2 - 2} = \frac{-4(x - 1) + (x^2 - 2)}{x^2 - 2} \]
Now, simplifying the numerator:
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Expand \(-4(x - 1)\): \(-4x + 4\)
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Add \((x^2 - 2)\) to this: \[ -x^2 + 4 - 2 \] Thus, we get: \[ -x^2 + -4x + 2 \]
The whole expression now is: \[ \frac{x^2 - 4x + 2}{x^2 - 2} \]
This is a simplified form of the sum. So the answer is: \[ \frac{x^2 - 4x + 2}{x^2 - 2} \]
Make sure to check if it can be further simplified, or if any cancellation occurs with the denominator, but in this case, it does not simplify further.
Therefore, the final answer is: \[ \frac{x^2 - 4x + 2}{x^2 - 2} \]