Question 24857: I don't understand rational expressinos with unequal denominators. Can someone please help me?
Answer by rapaljer(4671)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! Are you adding or subtracting these rational expressions? I'm assuming that you are, since if you are not adding or subtracting, the unequal denominators is a non-issue.
Before you add or subtract fractions, you MUST have a COMMON DENOMINATOR!!
Step 1. Find the Least Common Denominator (LCD).
Step 2. For each fraction to be added or subtracted, BUILD a fraction whose denominator is the same as the LCD, by multiplying numerators and denominators by any factors that are missing from the denominator.
Step 3. The LCD becomes the denominator for the final answer.
Step 4. Add or subtract the numerators to obtain the numerator of the final answer.
Step 5. Reduce the fraction if possible.
For more details, see my website under Basic Algebra, look for Samples from Basic Algebra: One Step at a Time, and then look for Chapter 3, which has a section on LCD and Adding and Subtracting Fractions. It's FREE!!
R^2 at SCC
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