12-6 Rational Expressions with Like Denominators Objective: Students will be able to add and subtract rational expressions with like denominators.

Before we can add or subtract two fractions, we must have a common denominator. Once we have a common denominator, we add the numerators if the operation is addition, or we subtract our numerators if the operation is subtraction. With either operation, we keep our denominator the same. – Examples:

We follow the same rules when adding or subtracting rational expressions.

Example 1: Simplify the expression. 1)2)

3)4)

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