12-6 Rational Expressions with Like Denominators

Objective:Students will be able to add and

subtract rational expressions with like denominators.

• Before we can add or subtract two fractions, we must have a common denominator. Once we have a common denominator, we add the numerators if the operation is addition, or we subtract our numerators if the operation is subtraction. With either operation, we keep our denominator the same.– Examples:

• We follow the same rules when adding or subtracting rational expressions.

Example 1: Simplify the expression.1) 2)

3) 4)

Try these.5)

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