a) $$ \frac{\sqrt{b}+4}{b-16} = \frac{\sqrt{b}+4}{(\sqrt{b}-4)(\sqrt{b}+4)} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{b}-4}$$.
б) $$ \frac{17-\sqrt{17}}{\sqrt{17}} = \frac{\sqrt{17}(\sqrt{17}-1)}{\sqrt{17}} = \sqrt{17}-1$$.
Ответ: а) $$ \frac{1}{\sqrt{b}-4}$$; б) $$\sqrt{17}-1$$