Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions What you’ll learn To add and subtract rational expressions Vocabulary Complex fractions: is a rational expression that has at least one fraction in its numerator or denominator or both.

you first find a common denominator and you can use Take a note: To add and subtract rational expressions, you first find a common denominator and you can use much of what you know about fractions. Problem 1: Finding the Least Common Multiple. Step 1: Find the prime factor of each expression Factor Factor Step 2: Write the product of the prime factors, each raised to the greatest power that occurs in either expression.

Problem 2: Adding Rational Expressions. What is the sum of two rational expressions in simplest form. State restrictions on the variable. Factor the denominators Rewrite the expression with LCD Add the numerators. Combine like terms

Your turn What is the sum of the two rational expressions? State any restrictions on the variable. Answers

Problem 3: Simplifying a Complex Fraction. What is a simpler form of the complex fraction? Method one: multiply both the numerator and the denominator by the LCD of all the rational expressions and simplify the result. or Method two: combine the expressions in the numerator and those in the denominator. Then multiply the new numerator by the reciprocal of the new denominator.

Get common denominator Multiply Add Multiply by the reciprocal And simplify

Your turn: What is a simpler form of the complex fraction? Answers

Classwork odd Homework even TB pg.539 exercises 7-29 and pg.540 exercises31-46