SOLUTION: Simplifying Complex Fractions. I know the LCD is S, but I am not sure about how to determine the LCD with exponents. Example problem I am working on right now. 2/s - 2/s^2

Algebra ->  Rational-functions -> SOLUTION: Simplifying Complex Fractions. I know the LCD is S, but I am not sure about how to determine the LCD with exponents. Example problem I am working on right now. 2/s - 2/s^2       Log On


   

Question 260080: Simplifying Complex Fractions. I know the LCD is S, but I am not sure about how to determine the LCD with exponents. Example problem I am working on right now.
2/s - 2/s^2
___________
4/s^3 + 4/s^2
Found 2 solutions by richwmiller, edjones:
Answer by richwmiller(17219) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Are there fractions in both numerator and denominator?
%282%2Fs+-+2%2Fs%5E2%29%2F%284%2Fs%5E3+%2B+4%2Fs%5E2%29
Let's deal with them first
multiply by s^3/s^3
2s^2-2s/4+4s
2s(s-1)/4*(1+s)
s%28s-1%29%2F2%28s%2B1%29

Answer by edjones(8007) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Complicated numbers are not complex numbers. Complex numbers have to do with the square root of negative numbers only.
2/s - 2/s^2=(2s^2-2s)/s^3=2(s-1)/s^2
4/s^3 + 4/s^2=(4s^2+4s^3)/s^5=4(1+s)/s^3
%282%28s-1%29%2Fs%5E2%29+%2A+%28s%5E3%2F4%281%2Bs%29%29
=s(s-1)/2(1+s)
.
Ed