SOLUTION: (t+2)/t + 3/(t+1) =? I cannot remember what to do for the first step please help.

Algebra ->  Expressions-with-variables -> SOLUTION: (t+2)/t + 3/(t+1) =? I cannot remember what to do for the first step please help.      Log On


   



Question 91348: (t+2)/t + 3/(t+1) =?
I cannot remember what to do for the first step please help.

Answer by tutor_paul(519) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
%28%28t%2B2%29%2Ft%29%2B%283%2F%28t%2B1%29%29
Like any other addition of fractions, you need to find the LCD. But this time you have variables - whoa! No worries however - remember how when you were finding the LCD of regular fractions without variables that you could always multiply the 2 denominators together to get a common denominator? Same thing here! Your LCD is:
t%28t%2B1%29
So, rewrite each term in terms of this LCD:
%28t%2B2%29%28t%2B1%29%2F%28t%28t%2B1%29%29%2B3t%2F%28t%28t%2B1%29%29
Add them up:
%28%28t%2B2%29%28t%2B1%29%2B3t%29%2F%28t%28t%2B1%29%29
Multiply out the numerator and simplify:
%28t%5E2%2B3t%2B2%2B3t%29%2F%28t%28t%2B1%29%29
%28t%5E2%2B6t%2B2%29%2F%28t%28t%2B1%29%29
%28t%5E2%2B6t%2B2%29%2F%28t%5E2%2Bt%29
Good Luck,
tutor_paul@yahoo.com