Adding and

Subtracting Rational
Expressions with
Different
Denominators
We use the fact that the fraction
a/b is equivalent to ac/bc for any c
is not equal to 0 and can therefore
be written as such. The polynomial
factor c that is multiplied to both
the numerator and the
denominator of a/b is called the
building factor.
To find the LCD (LCM of the Denominator)

1. Factor each denominator completely,

including constant factors. Express repeated
factors in exponential form.
2. Write each different factor that appears.
3. List the highest power of each factor found
among all denominators in step 2.
4. Form the LCD by multiplying the expressions
listed in step 3.
Example 2: Find the LCD of and .
Solution:
Step 1. The denominators are already
factored.
Step 2. x is the only factor in both
denominators.
Step 3. is the highest power of x among the
denominators.
Step 4. LCD =
Example 2: Find the LCD of and .
Solution:
Step 1.

Step 2. 2, 3, x, y all the different factors

Step 3. highest powers of the factors
Step 4. LCD =
Example 4: Find the LCD of and .
Solution:
Step 1. The denominators are already
factored.
Step 2. x, (x+2)
Step 3.
Step 4. LCD = x(x+2)
Example 5: Find the LCD of and .
Solution:
Step 1.
Step 2.
Step 3.
Step 4. LCD =
To add or subtract rational expressions with different
denominators follow these steps:
1. Express the denominator of each rational
expression in factored form, then find LCD.
2. Use the building factor to convert each term to an
equivalent rational expression whose denominator
is the LCD.
3. Retaining the LCD as the denominator, add (or
subtract) the numerators to find the sum (or
difference).
4. Express the result in step 3 in lowest terms.