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Lesson #5 (2.7) Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions

The document provides a detailed explanation of how to add and subtract rational expressions, mirroring the procedures used for rational numbers. It includes several examples illustrating the steps of factoring denominators, determining the lowest common denominator, rewriting expressions, and simplifying the results while stating restrictions on variables. Key concepts are summarized at the end to reinforce the process.

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3 views9 pages

Lesson #5 (2.7) Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions

The document provides a detailed explanation of how to add and subtract rational expressions, mirroring the procedures used for rational numbers. It includes several examples illustrating the steps of factoring denominators, determining the lowest common denominator, rewriting expressions, and simplifying the results while stating restrictions on variables. Key concepts are summarized at the end to reinforce the process.

Uploaded by

legogamerabd11
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPSX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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2.

7 Adding and
Subtracting Rational
Expressions
R. A. P. Pg 128:
# 1-3(c only), 4, 5 – 6(a,d), 7(a,b,c,f), 8(b, c), 9(c, d), 11, 12a
To add and subtract rational
expressions we use the same
procedures as for the addition and
subtraction of rational numbers.
Simplify and state any restrictions on the
variables. Example 2:
Example 1: 7x 4x  12

9x 2x x 4 x 4
 3x  12
x 7 x 7 
x 4
11x 3(x  4)
 ;x  7 
x 7 x 4
3;x  4
Example 3:
x 72 Step 1: Factor the denominator.
 2
x  6 x  36
Step 2: Determine the LCD.
x 72
  The lowest common
x  6 (x  6)(x  6) denominator is (x+6)(x-6).

x  x  6 72 Step 3: Multiply each rational


   expression by a fraction equal to
x  6  x  6  (x  6)(x  6) 1 that makes each denominator
the same.
x(x  6)  72

(x  6)(x  6) Step 4: Simplify the expression
by expanding the numerator.
x2  6x  72

(x  6)(x  6)
Example 3 continued…
2
x  6x  72 Step 5: Factor the numerator.

(x  6)(x  6)

(x  12)(x  6) Step 6: Simplify by dividing



(x  6)(x  6) common factors.

x  12 Step 7: State restrictions on the


 ;x 6 variable.
x 6
Example 4:
x x Step 1: Factor the denominators.
 2
3x  3 x  1
Step 2: Determine the LCD.
x x
  Determine the LCM of the
3(x  1) (x  1)(x  1) denominators. Step 3: Multiply each
rational expression by
3(x-1) a fraction equal to 1
x  x  1 x  3  that makes
3(x-1)each
(x+1)
   (x-1)(x+1)
 denominator the same.
3(x  1)  x  1 (x  1)(x  1)  3 

x2  x 3x Step 4: Simplify the


  expression by
3(x  1)(x  1) 3(x  1)(x  1) subtracting the
numerators.
x2  2x
 ;x 1 Step 5: State restrictions on the
3(x  1)(x  1) variable.
Example 5: Step 1: Factor numerators and
2x  6 3 x  12 denominators.
2
 2
x  5 x  6 x  x  12 Step 2: Simplify each expression by
dividing by the common factors.
2( x  3) 3( x  4) NOTE: You are only to divide
  within each TERM or EXPRESSION
( x  3)( x  2) ( x  4)( x  3) for addition and subtraction.
2 3
  Step 3: Determine the LCD.
( x  2) ( x  3) The lowest common
2  x 3 3  x 2 denominator is (x-2)(x+3).
     Step 4: Multiply each rational
( x  2)  x  3  ( x  3)  x  2  expression by a fraction equal
to 1 that makes each
2( x  3)  3( x  2) denominator the same.

( x  2)( x  3) Step 5: Rewrite with the common
denominator.
Example 5 continued…
2( x  3)  3( x  2) Step 6: Simplify the
 expression by expanding the
( x  2)( x  3) numerator and collecting
like terms.
2 x  6  3x  6

( x  2)( x  3)
 x  12 Step 7: State restrictions on the
 ; x  3, 2,3, 4 variable.
( x  2)( x  3)
KEY CONCEPTS
When adding or subtracting rational expressions, follow these
steps:
• factor the denominators
• determine the lowest common denominator
• rewrite the expressions with a common
denominator.
• add or subtract the numerators
• simplify and state the restrictions.
3 5
2
 3
4x 7x
same as:
3 5

4xx 7xxx
LCD:
3
(4)7xxx 28x
3 7x 5 4
2
g  3g
4x 7x 7x 4
21x  20
 3
; x 0
 28x

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