A few days ago
¥

Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions -?

Perform the operations as indicated.

1. 5a+6/6a^2+7a-3 + 3a-1/2a^2+3a

2. 2x-1/3x^2-4x-4 – x-2/9x^2-4

3. 2a-1/4a^2+a-5 – a-1/4a^2+9a+5

4. 4a/20a^2+11a-3 – 5a-1/8a^2+10a+3

You don’t have to do all of the problems. Just one. As long as you tell me the steps. I’m pretty baffled when it comes to fractions with polynomials. :'(

Person who gives best description of steps gets best answer!

Top 1 Answers
A few days ago
hayharbr

Favorite Answer

Step 1 factor the bottoms (example 4 is shown)

4a/ (5a-1)(4a+3) – 5a-1 / (4a+3)(2a+1)

Step 2 distribute the minus sign

4a/ (5a-1)(4a+3) + (-5a+1) / (4a+3)(2a+1)

Step 3 (multiply top and bottom of each fraction by any factor that appears in the bottom of the other fraction but not in the bottom of that fraction

4a(2a+1) / (5a-1)(4a+3)(2a+1) + (-5a + 1)(5a-1) / (5a-1)(4a+3)(2a+1)

Step 4 do out the tops, put over bottom

8a^2 + 4a – 25a^2 + 10a – 1 all over (5a-1)(4a+3)(2a+1)

Step 5 simplify top -17a^2 + 14a – 1 over (5a-1)(4a+3)(2a+1)

Step 6 check work, I usually make a mistake somewhere

0