Sec. 9-5: Adding/Subtracting Rational Expressions.
The process: In order to add & subtract rational expressions, you will need a COMMON DENOMINATOR. Find common denominators by FACTORING the DENOMINATORS ONLY! Alter your fractions to have the common denominators – DO NOT REDUCE and then add/subtract NUMERATORS. Look at the examples that follow.
Simplify: Factor the denominators to find the C.D. So the C.D. is (x – 2)(x+2)…we need to alter the first fraction by x + 2.
Gather like terms in the numerator and as your FINAL STEP, you can factor the numerator in case the fraction can be reduced.
Try: The C.D. is BOTH denominators Be careful….this one is SUBTRACTION!