7) Simplify the fraction: (x^3 + 27)/(x^3 + 3x^2 - 2x - 6).

(x^3 + 27)/(x^3 + 3x^2 - 2x - 6) = (x + 3)((x^2 - 3x + 9)/(x + 3)(x^2 - 2)) = (x^2 - 3x + 9)/(x^2 - 2), where x ≠ -3.