University:
California State University, Northridge
Course:
MATH 320 | Foundations of Higher Mathematics
Academic year:

2024
Views:

75

Pages:

13
Author:

jrs2090c5m

§ 14.3 Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions with the Same Denominator and Least Common Denominators Rational Expressions If P, Q and R are polynomials and Q ≠ 0, P Q P+Q + = R R R P Q P −Q − = R R R 25 Adding Rational Expressions Example Add the following rational expressions. 4p −3+ 3p +8 7 p + 5 4p −3 3p +8 = + = 2p +7 2p +7 2p +7 2p +7 26 Subtracting Rational Expressions Example Subtract the following rational expressions. 8 y − 16 8( y − 2) 8y 16 = − = = 8 y−2 y−2 y−2 y−2 27 Subtracting Rational Expressions Example Subtract the following rational expressions. 3y − 6 3y 6 = − 2 = 2 2 y + 3 y − 10 y + 3 y − 10 y + 3 y − 10 3( y − 2) = ( y + 5)( y − 2) 3 y+5 28 Least Common Denominators To add or subtract rational expressions with unlike denominators, you have to change them to equivalent forms that have the same denominator (a common denominator). This involves finding the least common denominator of the two original rational expressions. 29 Least Common Denominators To find a Least Common Denominator: 1) Factor the given denominators. 2) Take the product of all the unique factors. Each factor should be raised to a power equal to the greatest number of times that factor appears in any one of the factored denominators. 30 Least Common Denominators Example Find the LCD of the following rational expressions. 1 3x , 6 y 4 y + 12 6 y = 2 ⋅3y 2 4 y + 12 = 4( y + 3) = 2 ( y + 3) 2 So the LCD is 2 ⋅ 3 y ( y + 3) = 12 y ( y + 3) 31 Least Common Denominators Example Find the LCD of the following rational expressions. 4 4x − 2 , 2 2 x + 4 x + 3 x + 10 x + 21 2 x + 4 x + 3 = ( x + 3)( x + 1) 2 x + 10 x + 21 = ( x + 3)( x + 7) So the LCD is (x + 3)(x + 1)(x + 7) 32 Least Common Denominators Example Find the LCD of the following rational expressions. 2 3x 4x , 2 2 5x − 5 x − 2 x + 1 2 2 5 x − 5 = 5( x − 1) = 5( x + 1)( x − 1) 2 2 x − 2 x + 1 = ( x − 1) So the LCD is 5(x + 1)(x - 1) 2 33 Least Common Denominators Example Find the LCD of the following rational expressions. 1 2 , x −3 3− x Both of the denominators are already factored. Since each is the opposite of the other, you can use either x – 3 or 3 – x as the LCD. 34 Multiplying by 1 To change rational expressions into equivalent forms, we use the principal that multiplying by 1 (or any form of 1), will give you an equivalent expression. P P P R P⋅R = ⋅1 = ⋅ = Q Q Q R Q⋅R 35 Equivalent Expressions Example Rewrite the rational expression as an equivalent rational expression with the given denominator. 3 = 5 9y 72 y 9 4 3 8y 24 y 4 3 ⋅ 4 = = 5 9 5 9 y 8 y 72 y 9y 36