Easy Algebra Step-by-Step

Rational Expressions 147

=

()+ ()−

−

+ ) (

x

))++(

3

Step 2. Find the sum of the numerators.

=

+ −

−

xx+

x

22 ++ 11

3

=

−

39 −

3

x

x

Step 3. Reduce to lowest terms.

=

()

()−

=

()()

()()−−

==

3 ( −^3 ( −− 3

1

3

Step 4. Review the main results.

x

x

x

x

x

x

+

−

+

−

=

−

=

()()xx

()()xx−−

==

2

3

21 x− 1

3

39 x−

3

3 (xx−− 3

1

3

b.

5

4

41

4

x^224 x

()x^1

−

()x^1

Step 1. Indicate the difference of the numerators over the common

denominator.

5

4

41

4

x^224 x

()x 1

−

()x 1

=

()()+

()

)

4 ( +

(^22) ))))−((((
Step 2. Find the difference of the numerators.

=

−

()

541

4 ( +

xx^22 − 44

=

−

()

x^21

(^4) ( +
Step 3. Reduce to lowest terms.

=

−

()

=

()()+ ()

()()

=

x^21 ++ )( ()−

(^4) ( +

))(( −

4 ( ++^4

When subtracting algebraic fractions, it is important

that you enclose the numerator of the second fraction

in parentheses because you want to subtract the

entire numerator, not just the fi rst term.