Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions (1.11.2)

Question 1

• Always find the common denominator for the rational expressions before you add or subtract.

Answer 1

• Always find the common denominator for the rational expressions before you add or subtract.

Question 2

• The least common denominator is the smallest multiple common to all the denominators in the problem.

Answer 2

• The least common denominator is the smallest multiple common to all the denominators in the problem.

Question 3

• The least common multiple is the smallest number that contains every factor in the denominators. It is usually used as the common denominator

Answer 3

• The least common multiple is the smallest number that contains every factor in the denominators. It is usually used as the common denominator

Question 4

• To change the denominator, multiply by 1 in some form; i.e., multiply by a fraction that has the same expression for both numerator and denominator.

Answer 4

• To change the denominator, multiply by 1 in some form; i.e., multiply by a fraction that has the same expression for both numerator and denominator.

Question 5

• As a general rule, let denominators stay factored because you might see an opportunity to cancel one or more factors after you do the arithmetic.

Answer 5

• As a general rule, let denominators stay factored because you might see an opportunity to cancel one or more factors after you do the arithmetic.