SOLUTION: Could you please help me express the following problem in the simplest form. Can you please show your work so I can see how you got the answer. Thanks!! 3 _________ a +

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: Could you please help me express the following problem in the simplest form. Can you please show your work so I can see how you got the answer. Thanks!! 3 _________ a +       Log On


   

Question 567942: Could you please help me express the following problem in the simplest form. Can you please show your work so I can see how you got the answer. Thanks!!
3
_________
a + 2

plus
8
_________
a - 5

Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Simplify:
3%2F%28a%2B2%29+%2B+8%2F%28a-5%29 Add the two fractions. First get the common denominator by multiplying the denominators of the two fractions.
%28a%2B2%29%28a-5%29
Now add the fractions:
3%28a-5%29%2F%28a%2B2%29%28a-5%29+%2B8%28a%2B2%29%2F%28a-5%29%28a%2B2%29 Simplify this.
%283%28a-5%29%2B8%28a%2B2%29%29%2F%28a%2B2%29%28a-5%29=%283a-15%2B8a%2B16%29%2F%28a%2B2%29%28a-5%29=highlight%28%2811a%2B1%29%2F%28a%2B2%29%28a-5%29%29