Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions With the Same Denominator
We add or subtract rational expressions in the same way
subtract fractions in arithmetic.
For example:
 and
Procedure
To Add or Subtract Rational Expressions
With the Same Denominator
Step 1 Add or subtract the numerators.
The denominator stays the same.
Step 2 Reduce to lowest terms.
Example 1
Subtract:
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Solution
Step 1 Subtract the numerators.
Distribute to remove parentheses.
Combine like terms.
Step 2 Reduce to lowest terms.
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