document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=73075>Question 73075</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Adding and subtracting unlike rational expressions. HELP!! I have read and re-read the examples and directions and still can't figure out how to do this. Thank you.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "subtraction.. \r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "2 over 5w-10 minus 3 over 2w-4 </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #52333 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><B>stanbon(75887)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><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/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=52333\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> 2 over 5w-10 minus 3 over 2w-4<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "It's like this; if I say 3 buicks minus 2 fords  you <BR>\n" );
document.write( "might very well say  Yah??? That would mean you can't<BR>\n" );
document.write( "subtract the way I stated the problem.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "But, if I said 3 buicks minus 2 buicks you could say<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\" 1 buick\" and I would agree that was an acceptable <BR>\n" );
document.write( "answer.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Similarly you can't directly subtract 2/3 from 5/8.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "They are not the same animals.  What you do is create<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a \"common denominator\"; then you can subtract.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Now, your problem:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2/(5(w-2)) - 3/(2(w-2))<BR>\n" );
document.write( "These have a least common denominator of 15(w-2)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "So convert each of the fractions; write each with the lcd as its denominator:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "[2*3]/lcd - [3*5]/lcd<BR>\n" );
document.write( "6/lcd - 15/lcd<BR>\n" );
document.write( "=-9/[15(w-s)]<BR>\n" );
document.write( "=-3/[5(w-5)]\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Cheers,<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Stan H.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "1<BR>\n" );
document.write( " </SPAN>\n" );
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