Chapter 7: Rational Algebraic Functions Section 7-8: Sums and Differences of Rational Expressions

Objectives Be able to add or subtract several rational expressions and simplify the result.

Example: Find the LCM!!!!!

Ideas to keep in mind when adding/subtracting rational expressions: If any simplifying of the expressions can be done first, do it before adding or subtracting

Ideas to keep in mind when adding/subtracting rational expressions: Make sure the common denominator is the least common multiple of the denominators.

Ideas to keep in mind when adding/subtracting rational expressions: If one denominator has a factor of the form a – b and another has the form b – a, only one of these factors needs to appear in the common denominator since they are additive inverses of each other.