SOLUTION: Can someone help me with this problem: Add or subtract as indicated. Express your result in simplest form. (2a/a^2-a-12)-(3/a^2-2a-8) I think I know the first step is to a

Algebra ->  Equations -> SOLUTION: Can someone help me with this problem: Add or subtract as indicated. Express your result in simplest form. (2a/a^2-a-12)-(3/a^2-2a-8) I think I know the first step is to a      Log On


   

Question 117207: Can someone help me with this problem:
Add or subtract as indicated. Express your result in simplest form.
(2a/a^2-a-12)-(3/a^2-2a-8)
I think I know the first step is to add the integers togethher.
Answer by misscrt(37) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Can someone help me with this problem:
Add or subtract as indicated. Express your result in simplest form.
(2a/a^2-a-12)-(3/a^2-2a-8)
I think I know the first step is to add the integers togethher.
___________________________________________________________________
2a%2F%28a%5E2-a-12%29-3%2F%28a%5E2-2a-8%29
Factor the denominators.
2a%2F%28%28a-4%29%28a-3%29%29-3%2F%28%28a-4%29%28a%2B2%29%29
Find the common denominator which equals (a-4)(a-3)(a+2)

%282a%5E2%2B4a-3a%2B9%29%2F%28%28a-4%29%28a-3%29%28a%2B2%29%29
Combine like terms in the numerator to simplify the expression.
%282a%5E2%2Ba%2B9%29%2F%28%28a-4%29%28a-3%29%28a%2B2%29%29
Hope that helps.
misscrt