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4A.7: Add and Subtract Rational Expressions

  • Page ID
    33637
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    Summary

    By the end of this section, you will be able to:

    • Add and subtract rational expressions with a common denominator
    • Add and subtract rational expressions whose denominators are opposites
    • Find the least common denominator of rational expressions
    • Add and subtract rational expressions with unlike denominators
    • Add and subtract rational functions

    Add and Subtract Rational Expressions with a Common Denominator

    What is the first step you take when you add numerical fractions? You check if they have a common denominator. If they do, you add the numerators and place the sum over the common denominator. If they do not have a common denominator, you find one before you add.

    It is the same with rational expressions. To add rational expressions, they must have a common denominator. When the denominators are the same, you add the numerators and place the sum over the common denominator.

    RATIONAL EXPRESSION ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION

    If \(p\), \(q\), and \(r\) are polynomials where \(r\neq 0\), then

    \[\dfrac{p}{r}+\dfrac{q}{r}=\dfrac{p+q}{r} \quad \text{and} \quad \dfrac{p}{r}−\dfrac{q}{r}=\dfrac{p−q}{r}\nonumber\]

    To add or subtract rational expressions with a common denominator, add or subtract the numerators and place the result over the common denominator.

    We always simplify rational expressions. Be sure to factor, if possible, after you subtract the numerators so you can identify any common factors.

    Remember, too, we do not allow values that would make the denominator zero. What value of \(x\) should be excluded in the next example?

    Example \(\PageIndex{1}\)

    Add: \(\dfrac{11x+28}{x+4}+\dfrac{x^2}{x+4}\).

    Solution

    Since the denominator is \(x+4\), we must exclude the value \(x=−4\).

    \(\begin{array} {ll} &\dfrac{11x+28}{x+4}+\dfrac{x^2}{x+4},\space x\neq −4 \\ \begin{array} {l} \text{The fractions have a common denominator,} \\ \text{so add the numerators and place the sum} \\ \text{over the common denominator.} \end{array} &\dfrac{11x+28+x^2}{x+4} \\ & \\ \text{Write the degrees in descending order.} &\dfrac{x^2+11x+28}{x+4} \\ & \\ \text{Factor the numerator.} &\dfrac{(x+4)(x+7)}{x+4} \\ & \\ \text{Simplify by removing common factors.} &\dfrac{\cancel{(x+4)}(x+7)}{\cancel{x+4}} \\ & \\ \text{Simplify.} &x+7 \end{array}\)

    The expression simplifies to \(x+7\) but the original expression had a denominator of \(x+4\) so \(x\neq −4\).

    try-it.png \(\PageIndex{1}\)

    Simplify: \(\dfrac{9x+14}{x+7}+\dfrac{x^2}{x+7}\).

    Answer

    \(x+2\)

    To subtract rational expressions, they must also have a common denominator. When the denominators are the same, you subtract the numerators and place the difference over the common denominator. Be careful of the signs when you subtract a binomial or trinomial.

    Example \(\PageIndex{2}\)

    Subtract: \(\dfrac{5x^2−7x+3}{x^2−3x+18}−\dfrac{4x^2+x−9}{x^2−3x+18}\).

    Solution

    \(\begin{array} {ll} &\dfrac{5x^2−7x+3}{x^2−3x+18}−\dfrac{4x^2+x−9}{x^2−3x+18} \\ & \\ \begin{array} {l} \text{Subtract the numerators and place the} \\ \text{difference over the common denominator.} \end{array} &\dfrac{5x^2−7x+3−(4x^2+x−9)}{x^2−3x+18} \\ & \\ \text{Distribute the subtraction sign in the numerator.} &\dfrac{5x^2−7x+3−4x^2−x+9}{x^2−3x−18} \\ & \\ \text{Combine like terms.} &\dfrac{x^2−8x+12}{x^2−3x−18} \\ & \\ \text{Factor the numerator and the denominator.} &\dfrac{(x−2)(x−6)}{(x+3)(x−6)} \\ & \\ \text{Simplify by removing common factors.} &\dfrac{(x−2)\cancel{(x−6)}}{(x+3)\cancel{(x−6)}} \\ & \\ &\dfrac{x−2}{x+3} \end{array}\)

     

    try-it.png \(\PageIndex{2}\)

    Subtract: \(\dfrac{4x^2−11x+8}{x^2−3x+2}−\dfrac{3x^2+x−3}{x^2−3x+2}\).

    Answer

    \(\dfrac{x−11}{x−2}\)

    try-it.png \(\PageIndex{3}\)

    Subtract: \(\dfrac{6x^2−x+20}{x^2−81}−\dfrac{5x^2+11x−7}{x^2−81}\).

    Answer

    \(\dfrac{x−3}{x+9}\)

    Add and Subtract Rational Expressions Whose Denominators are Opposites

    When the denominators of two rational expressions are opposites, it is easy to get a common denominator. We just have to multiply one of the fractions by \(\dfrac{−1}{−1}\).

    Let’s see how this works.

      .
    Multiply the second fraction by \(\dfrac{−1}{−1}\). .
    The denominators are the same. .
    Simplify. .

    Be careful with the signs as you work with the opposites when the fractions are being subtracted.

    Example \(\PageIndex{3}\)

    Subtract: \(\dfrac{m^2−6m}{m^2−1}−\dfrac{3m+2}{1−m^2}\).

    Solution

      .

    The denominators are opposites, so multiply the
    second fraction by \(\dfrac{−1}{−1}\).

    .
    Simplify the second fraction. .
    The denominators are the same. Subtract the numerators. .
    Distribute. .
    Combine like terms. .
    Factor the numerator and denominator. .
    Simplify by removing common factors. .
    Simplify. .

    try-it.png \(\PageIndex{4}\)

    Subtract: \(\dfrac{y^2−5y}{y^2−4}−\dfrac{6y−6}{4−y^2}\).

    Answer

    \(\dfrac{y+3}{y+2}\)

    try-it.png \(\PageIndex{5}\)

    Subtract: \(\dfrac{2n^2+8n−1}{n^2−1}−\dfrac{n^2−7n−1}{1−n^2}\).

    Answer

    \(\dfrac{3n−2}{n−1}\)

    Find the Least Common Denominator of Rational Expressions

    When we add or subtract rational expressions with unlike denominators, we will need to get common denominators. If we review the procedure used with numerical fractions (see Section 10.B), we will know what to do with rational expressions.

    Let’s look at this example: \(\dfrac{7}{12}+\dfrac{5}{18}\). Since the denominators are not the same, the first step is to find the least common denominator (LCD).

    To find the LCD of the fractions, we factor 12 and 18 into primes, lining up any common primes in columns. Then we “bring down” one prime from each column. Finally, we multiply the factors to find the LCD.

    When we add numerical fractions, once we find the LCD, we rewrite each fraction as an equivalent fraction with the LCD by multiplying the numerator and denominator by the same number. We are now ready to add.

    Seven-twelfths plus five-eighteenths. Write the prime factorizations of each denominator and line up the common factors. The denominator of the first fraction is 12. The prime factorization of 12 is 2 times 2 times 3. The denominator of the second fraction is 18. The prime factorization of 18 is 2 times 3 times 3. Bringing down a factor from each column, the lowest common denominator of 12 and 18 is 2 times 2 times 3 times 3, which is 36. Write both fractions using the lowest common denominator. To do this multiply the numerator and denominator of the first fraction by 3 and multiply the numerator and denominator of the second fraction by 2. The result is 7 times 3 all divided by 12 times 3 plus 5 times 2 all divided by 18 times 2. Simplify each fraction. 7 times 3 is 21 and 12 times 3 is 36. 5 times 2 is 10 and 18 times 2 is 36. The result is twenty-one thirty-sixths plus ten thirty-sixths.

    We do the same thing for rational expressions. However, we leave the LCD in factored form.

    how-to.png FIND THE LEAST COMMON DENOMINATOR OF RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS

    1. Factor each denominator completely.
    2. List the factors of each denominator. Match factors vertically when possible.
    3. Bring down the columns by including all factors, but do not include common factors twice.
    4. Write the LCD as the product of the factors, still in factored form.

    Remember, we always exclude values that would make the denominator zero. What values of \(x\) should we exclude in this next example?

    Example \(\PageIndex{4}\)

    a. Find the LCD for the expressions \(\dfrac{8}{x^2−2x−3}\), \(\dfrac{3x}{x^2+4x+3}\)

    b. Rewrite them as equivalent rational expressions with the lowest common denominator.

    Solution

    a.

    Find the LCD for \(\dfrac{8}{x^2−2x−3}\), \(\dfrac{3x}{x^2+4x+3}\).  
    Factor each denominator completely, lining up common factors.

    Bring down the columns.
    .
    Write the LCD as the product of the factors. .

    b.

      .
    Factor each denominator. .
    Multiply each denominator by the ‘missing’
    LCD factor and multiply each numerator by the same factor.
    .
    Simplify the numerators. .

    try-it.png \(\PageIndex{6}\)

    a. Find the LCD for the expressions \(\dfrac{2}{x^2−x−12}\), \(\dfrac{1}{x^2−16}\)

    b. rewrite them as equivalent rational expressions with the lowest common denominator.

    Answer

    a. \((x−4)(x+3)(x+4)\)

    b. \(\dfrac{2x+8}{(x−4)(x+3)(x+4)} \), \(\quad\dfrac{x+3}{(x−4)(x+3)(x+4)}\)

    Add and Subtract Rational Expressions with Unlike Denominators

    Now we have all the steps we need to add or subtract rational expressions with unlike denominators.

    Example \(\PageIndex{5}\): How to Add Rational Expressions with Unlike Denominators

    Add: \(\dfrac{3}{x−3}+\dfrac{2}{x−2}\).

    Solution

    Step 1 is to determine if the rational expressions 3 divided by the quantity x minus 3 and 2 divided by the quantity x minus 2 have a common factors. The denominators x minus 3 and x minus 2 do not have any common factors, which means the lowest common denominator of the rational expressions is the quantity x minus 3 times the quantity x minus 2. Rewrite each rational expression with the least common denominator. Multiply the numerator and denominator of 3 divided by the quantity x minus 3 by the quantity x minus 2. Multiply the numerator and denominator of 2 divided by the quantity x minus 2 by the quantity x minus 2. The result is the rational expression 3 times the quantity x minus 2 all divided by the quantity x minus 3 times the quantity x minus 2 plus the rational expression 2 times the quantity x minus 3 divided by the quantity x minus 2 times the quantity x minus 3. Simplify the numerators and keep the denominators factored. The numerator of the first rational expression, 3 times the quantity x minus 2, simplifies to 3 x minus 6. The numerator of the second rational expression, 2 times the quantity x minus 3, simplifies to 2 x minus 6. The result is the rational expression the quantity 3 x minus 6 all divided by the quantity x minus 3 times the quantity x minus 2 plus the rational expression, the quantity 2 x minus 6 all divided by the quantity x minus 3 times the quantity x minus 2.Step 2 is to add or subtract the rational expressions by adding the numerators, the quantity 3 x minus 6 and the quantity 2 x minus 6, and placing the sum over the denominator, the quantity x minus 3 times the quantity x minus 2. The result is the quantity 3 x minus 6 plus 2 x minus 6 all divided by the quantity x minus 3 times the quantity x minus 2. Simplify the numerator by combining like terms. The result is the quantity 5 x minus 12 all divided by the quantity x minus 3 times the quantity x minus 2.Step 3. Notice that 5 x minus 12 cannot be factored, so the answer is simplified.

    try-it.png \(\PageIndex{7}\)

    Add: \(\dfrac{2}{x−2}+\dfrac{5}{x+3}\).

    Answer

    \(\dfrac{7x−4}{(x−2)(x+3)}\)

    The steps used to add rational expressions are summarized here.

    how-to.png ADD OR SUBTRACT RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS

    1. Determine if the expressions have a common denominator.
      • Yes – go to step 2.
      • No – Rewrite each rational expression with the LCD.
        • Find the LCD.
        • Rewrite each rational expression as an equivalent rational expression with the LCD.
    2. Add or subtract the rational expressions.
    3. Simplify, if possible.

    Avoid the temptation to simplify too soon. In the example above, we must leave the first rational expression as \(\dfrac{3x−6}{(x−3)(x−2)}\) to be able to add it to \(\dfrac{2x−6}{(x−2)(x−3)}\). Simplify only after you have combined the numerators.

    Example \(\PageIndex{6}\)

    Add: \(\dfrac{8}{x^2−2x−3}+\dfrac{3x}{x^2+4x+3}\).

    Solution

      .
    Do the expressions have a common denominator? No.
    Rewrite each expression with the LCD.  
    \(\begin{array} {ll} & \\ & \\ \text{Find the LCD.} &\begin{array} {l} \hspace{5mm} x^2−2x−3=(x+1)(x−3) \\ \underline{x^2+4x+3=(x+1)\quad (x+3)} \\ & \\ \qquad LCD=(x+1)(x−3)(x+3) \end{array} \end{array} \)  
    Rewrite each rational expression as an
    equivalent rational expression with the LCD.
    .
    Simplify the numerators. .
    Add the rational expressions. .
    Simplify the numerator. .
      The numerator is prime, so there are
    no common factors.

    try-it.png \(\PageIndex{8}\)

    Add: \(\dfrac{2n}{n^2−3n−10}+\dfrac{6}{n^2+5n+6}\).

    Answer

    \(\dfrac{2n^2+12n−30}{(n+2)(n−5)(n+3)}\)

    The process we use to subtract rational expressions with different denominators is the same as for addition. We just have to be very careful of the signs when subtracting the numerators.

    Example \(\PageIndex{7}\)

    Subtract: \(\dfrac{8y}{y^2−16}−\dfrac{4}{y−4}\).

    Solution

      .
    Do the expressions have a common denominator? No.
    Rewrite each expression with the LCD.  
    \(\begin{array} {ll} \text{Find the LCD.} &\begin{array} {l} y^2−16=(y−4)(y+4) \\ \quad \underline{y−4=y−4} \\ LCD=(y−4)(y+4) \end{array} \end{array} \)  
    Rewrite each rational expression as an
    equivalent rational expression with the LCD.
    .
    Simplify the numerators. .
    Subtract the rational expressions. .
    Simplify the numerator. .
    Factor the numerator to look for common factors. .
    Remove common factors .
    Simplify. .
     

    try-it.png \(\PageIndex{9}\)

    Subtract: \(\dfrac{2x}{x^2−4}−\dfrac{1}{x+2}\).

    Answer

    \(\dfrac{1}{x−2}\)

    There are lots of negative signs in the next example. Be extra careful.

    Example \(\PageIndex{8}\)

    Subtract: \(\dfrac{−3n−9}{n^2+n−6}−\dfrac{n+3}{2−n}\).

    Solution

      .
    Factor the denominator. .
    Since \(n−2\) and \(2−n\) are opposites, we will
    multiply the second rational expression by \(\dfrac{−1}{−1}\).
    .
    . .
    Simplify. Remember, \(a−(−b)=a+b\). .
    Do the rational expressions have a
    common denominator? No.
     
    \(\begin{array} {ll} \text{Find the LCD.} &\begin{array} {l} n^2+n−6=(n−2)(n+3) \\ \quad\underline{n−2=(n−2)} \\ LCD=\quad (n−2)(n+3) \end{array} \end{array} \)  
    Rewrite each rational expression as an
    equivalent rational expression with the LCD.
    .
    Simplify the numerators. .
    Add the rational expressions. .
    Simplify the numerator. .
    Factor the numerator to look for common factors. .
    Simplify. .

    try-it.png \(\PageIndex{10}\)

    Subtract: \(\dfrac{3x−1}{x^2−5x−6}−\dfrac{2}{6−x}\).

    Answer

    \(\dfrac{5x+1}{(x−6)(x+1)}\)

     

    try-it.png \(\PageIndex{11}\)

    Subtract: \(\dfrac{−2y−2}{y^2+2y−8}−\dfrac{y−1}{2−y}\).

    Answer

    \(\dfrac{y+3}{y+4}\)

    Things can get very messy when both fractions must be multiplied by a binomial to get the common denominator.

    Example \(\PageIndex{9}\)

    Subtract: \(\dfrac{4}{a^2+6a+5}−\dfrac{3}{a^2+7a+10}\).

    Solution

      .
    Factor the denominators. .
    Do the rational expressions have a
    common denominator? No.
     

    \(\begin{array} {ll} \text{Find the LCD.} &\begin{array} {l} a^2+6a+5=(a+1)(a+5) \\ \underline{a^2+7a+10=(a+5)(a+2)} \\ LCD=(a+1)(a+5)(a+2) \end{array} \end{array} \)

     
    Rewrite each rational expression as an
    equivalent rational expression with the LCD.
    .
    Simplify the numerators. .
    Subtract the rational expressions. .
    Simplify the numerator. .
      .
    Look for common factors. .
    Simplify. .

    try-it.png \(\PageIndex{12}\)

    Subtract: \(\dfrac{3}{b^2−4b−5}−\dfrac{2}{b^2−6b+5}\).

    Answer

    \(\dfrac{1}{(b+1)(b−1)}\)

    try-it.png \(\PageIndex{13}\)

    Subtract: \(\dfrac{4}{x^2−4}−\dfrac{3}{x^2−x−2}\).

    Answer

    \(\dfrac{1}{(x+2)(x+1)}\)

    We follow the same steps as before to find the LCD when we have more than two rational expressions. In the next example, we will start by factoring all three denominators to find their LCD.

    Example \(\PageIndex{10}\)

    Simplify: \(\dfrac{2u}{u−1}+\dfrac{1}{u}−\dfrac{2u−1}{u^2−u}\).

    Solution

      .
    Do the expressions have a common denominator? No.
    Rewrite each expression with the LCD.
     
    \(\begin{array} {ll} \text{Find the LCD.} &\begin{array} {l} u−1=(u−1) \\ u=u \\ \underline{u^2−u=u(u−1)} \\ LCD=u(u−1) \end{array} \end{array}\)  
    Rewrite each rational expression as an
    equivalent rational expression with the LCD.
    .
      .
    Write as one rational expression. .
    Simplify. .
    Factor the numerator, and remove
    common factors.
    .
    Simplify. .

    try-it.png \(\PageIndex{14}\)

    Simplify: \(\dfrac{v}{v+1}+\dfrac{3}{v−1}−\dfrac{6}{v^2−1}\).

    Answer

    \(\dfrac{v+3}{v+1}\)

    try-it.png \(\PageIndex{15}\)

    Simplify: \(\dfrac{3w}{w+2}+\dfrac{2}{w+7}−\dfrac{17w+4}{w^2+9w+14}\).

    Answer

    \(\dfrac{3w}{w+7}\)

     

    Key Concepts

    • Rational Expression Addition and Subtraction
      If \(p\), \(q\), and \(r\) are polynomials where \(r\neq 0\), then
      \[\dfrac{p}{r}+\dfrac{q}{r}=\dfrac{p+q}{r} \quad \text{and} \quad \dfrac{p}{r}−\dfrac{q}{r}=\dfrac{p−q}{r}\nonumber\]
       
    • How to find the least common denominator of rational expressions.
      1. Factor each expression completely.
      2. List the factors of each expression. Match factors vertically when possible.
      3. Bring down the columns.
      4. Write the LCD as the product of the factors.
         
    • How to add or subtract rational expressions.
      1. Determine if the expressions have a common denominator.
        • Yes – go to step 2.
        • No – Rewrite each rational expression with the LCD.
          • Find the LCD.
          • Rewrite each rational expression as an equivalent rational expression with the LCD.
      2. Add or subtract the rational expressions.
      3. Simplify, if possible.

    This page titled 4A.7: Add and Subtract Rational Expressions is shared under a CC BY license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by OpenStax.

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