When the denominators of two or more rational expressions are the same, they are called similar

rational expressions. Performing addition and subtraction on these expressions is similar to how similar
fractions are combined. This is done by combining the numerators and copying the denominator.

𝑎 𝑏 𝑎+𝑏 𝑎 𝑏 𝑎−𝑏
𝑐
+ 𝑐
= 𝑐
𝑎𝑛𝑑
𝑐
−𝑐 = 𝑐

ADDITION:

𝑥+5 𝑥+2
Example: Simplify
7
+ 7
Solution:

𝑥+5 𝑥+2 𝑥+5+𝑥+2

7
+ 7
= 7

2𝑥 +7
= 7
SUBTRACTION: When the subtrahend is composed of more than one term, the operation is distributed to all the terms

in the expression. Then, simplify the expression if possible.

2
𝑝 +1 5
Example: Simplifying −
𝑝 +2 𝑝+2

Solution:

2 2
𝑝 +1 5 𝑝 +1−5
− =
𝑝 +2 𝑝+2 𝑝 +2

2
𝑝 − 4
=
𝑝 +2

( 𝑝 +2 ) ( 𝑝 − 2)
=
𝑝 +2
 ( 𝑝 +2 ) ( 𝑝 − 2)
=
𝑝 +2

=𝑝 − 2