document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=467456>Question 467456</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> I am having trouble.  I am in college algebra and we are having to simplify rational expressions.  The equation I have is a fraction:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "5/(a-3)-2/(a^2-9)  I do not know how to get to the answer. I have to show my work, but I don't know what steps to take and my book is so confusing.  I don't want to cheat, I just genuinely want to understand, but am stuck. Please help!!! </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #320751 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=algebrahouse.com><B>algebrahouse.com(1659)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-12.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=algebrahouse.com><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=algebrahouse.com><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=320751\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> When adding and subtracting fractions, you have to get a common denominator.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "To do that, all of the denominators need to be completely factored:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "5/(a - 3) - 2/(aČ - 9) <BR>\n" );
document.write( "= 5/(a - 3) - 2/(a + 3)(a - 3) {factored aČ - 9 into two binomials}<BR>\n" );
document.write( "= 5(a + 3)/(a + 3)(a - 3) - 2/(a + 3)(a - 3) {got common denominator of (a + 3)(a - 3)}\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "5(a + 3) - 2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "------------- {combined numerators over common denominator}<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(a + 3)(a - 3)\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "5a + 15 - 2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-------------- {used distributive property in numerator}<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(a + 3)(a - 3)\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "5a + 13<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-------------- {combined like terms in numerator}<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(a + 3)(a - 3)<BR>\n" );
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