1. Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions
What you’ll learn
To add and subtract rational expressions
Vocabulary
Complex fractions: is a
rational expression that has at
least one fraction in its numerator or denominator
or both.

2. you first find a common denominator and you can use
Take a note: To add and subtract rational expressions,
you first find a common denominator and you can use
much of what you know about fractions.
Problem 1: Finding the Least Common Multiple.
Step 1: Find the prime factor of each expression
Factor
Factor
Step 2: Write the product of the prime factors, each raised to the greatest power that occurs in either expression.

3. Problem 2: Adding Rational Expressions.
What is the sum of two rational expressions in
simplest form. State restrictions on the variable.
Factor the denominators
Rewrite the expression
with LCD
Add the numerators.
Combine like terms

4. Your turn
What is the sum of the two rational expressions?
State any restrictions on the variable.
Answers

5. Problem 3: Simplifying a Complex Fraction.
What is a simpler form of the complex fraction?
Method one: multiply both the numerator and the denominator by the LCD of all the rational expressions and simplify the result. or
Method two: combine the expressions in the numerator
and those in the denominator. Then multiply the new
numerator by the reciprocal of the new denominator.

6. Get common denominator
Multiply
Add
Multiply by the reciprocal
And simplify

7. Your turn:
What is a simpler form of the complex fraction?
Answers

8. Classwork odd Homework even
TB pg.539 exercises 7-29 and
pg.540 exercises31-46