MATH SUBJECT

Adding & Subtracting Rational

FOR Expressions
HIGH SCHOOL
Quadratic Functions
 Rational Expression
 Rational expression, it is a fraction whose numerator and
denominator are polynomials.
 where the denominators is not equal to zero.

Numerator

Denominator
Adding & Subtracting Rational Expressions (Like Denominators)
 To add or subtract two rational expressions with the same
denominator, we simply add or subtract the numerators and write the
result over the common denominator.
For Example:
Addition:
+ The common denominator is 5x.

= Combine the numerator and

= copy the denominator.
 Subtraction:
a. +

=
Combine the numerators.
=
Simplify the numerator and
copy the denominator. b. -

= Use the distributive property

for -1(y+3)

Simplify the numerator and

copy the denominator.
Adding and Subtracting Unlike Denominator
• To add or subtract rational expressions with different denominator, we need to rewrite
them as expression with the same denominator by finding the LCD (least common
denominator) of the fractions and use it to convert the fraction into similar fractions.

 
Example of finding LCD of rational expression:
1. and Get the factor of the denominator.

= and LCD = (y-5)(y+2)(y-6)

2. and LCD = (x+1)(x+2)

 Example:
Add and subtract. Then simplify the result.

a. + b.

Solutions: Find the LCD.

a. 8 = 2 2 2 mm nn n n
6 =2 3m mm n
2 2 2 3 m m m n n n n
LCD = 24
 
= () + ()

= +
The Denominators are now similar.

=
Add the numerators and use the
common denominator.
 
b. - = - Factor each denominator.

 
- = - () The LCD is (x+5)(x-5)

= -
Apply distibutive property -1(5x+25

=
Simplify numerator and copy the
= denominator.
 
Try this:

1. + 2. +

3. - 4. -
THANK YOU !