First, multiply by the denominators making sure to multiply on both sides of the equation and the other fraction. You should start this by multiplying through by one of the denominators and then by the other one. This will leave you with: ((2x+3)(2x+1)) - ((2x-8)(x-4)) = (2x+1)(x-4).
The next step is to multiply out the fractions: 4x2 + 8x + 3 - 2x2 +16x -32 = 2x2 -7x -4
Now you should simplify and move all the "x"'s to one side: 31x= 25
Then divide both sides by 31 which will leave you with x = 0.81