Addition &

Subtraction
of Rational expressions
Normal Fractions
+= =
2
5
1
5
2+ 1
5
3
5

Rational Algebraic
Expressions
+=
2a
5x
2b
5x
2 a+2 b
5x
 Similar Fractions
x2 +2 x+ 4
3a
+ − x 2+ 2 x +5
3a
= x2 − x 2 +2 x +2 x+ 4+5 4 x+ 9
3a
=
3a

Dissimilar Fractions
3a
5 + 6 a −5 6 a2 6 a −5 6 a2 +6 a − 5
10 a
= +
10 a 10 a
=
10 a

5 x2
x3
+ 5 x −3 5 x 4 2 x3 5 x+2
x
= 4 + 4=
x x x

The Least Common Multiple of Exponents are the greater power/exponent.

(2 a) (3 b) (2 a) (3 b)
-
5 (5) (3 )
3 2a 3b
2a = −
3b (2 a) ( 3 b) ( 2 a) (3 b)

(3 b)(5) ( 2 a ) ( 3 ) 15 b Rules 3(−2 a+5 b) −2 a+5 b

¿ − = 6 ab - 66ab
a for Least
= 156b−
ab
6a
Common
= −6Denominators:
a+ 15b
6 ab
= 3 (2 ab)
= 2 ab
(2 a)(3 b) ( 2 a ) ( 3 b )
 Similar Denominators- Copy the denominator
 Contains a Least Common Multiple- Copy the highest denominator
 No possession of a Least Common Multiple- Multiply all denominators