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Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Holt Algebra 2

Warm Up

Lesson Presentation

Lesson Quiz

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Warm UpAdd or subtract.

1.

2.

3.

4.

x ≠ 0

1324

x ≠ –1, x ≠ 1

Simplify. Identify any x-values for which the expression is undefined.

1315

1112

38

715

25

+

x – 1x2 – 1

1x + 1

13

x64x9

12x3

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Add and subtract rational expressions.

Simplify complex fractions.

Objectives

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

complex fraction

Vocabulary

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Adding and subtracting rational expressions is similar to adding and subtracting fractions. To add or subtract rational expressions with like denominators, add or subtract the numerators and use the same denominator.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Add or subtract. Identify any x-values for which the expression is undefined.

Example 1A: Adding and Subtracting Rational

Expressions with Like Denominators

Add the numerators.

The expression is undefined at x = –4 because this value makes x + 4 equal 0.

x – 3x + 4

+x – 2x + 4

x – 3 +x + 4

x – 2

2x – 5x + 4

Combine like terms.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Add or subtract. Identify any x-values for which the expression is undefined.

Example 1B: Adding and Subtracting Rational

Expressions with Like Denominators

Subtract the numerators.

There is no real value of x for which x2 + 1 = 0; the expression is always defined.

3x – 4x2 + 1

–6x + 1x2 + 1

3x – 4 –x2 + 1

(6x + 1)

–3x – 5x2 + 1 Combine like terms.

Distribute the negative sign.3x – 4 –

x2 + 16x – 1

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Check It Out! Example 1a

Add or subtract. Identify any x-values for which the expression is undefined.

Add the numerators.

6x + 5x2 – 3

+3x – 1x2 – 3

6x + 5 +x2 – 3

3x – 1

9x + 4x2 – 3

Combine like terms.

The expression is undefined at x = ± because this value makes x2 – 3 equal 0.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Check It Out! Example 1b

Add or subtract. Identify any x-values for which the expression is undefined.

Subtract the numerators.

3x2 – 53x – 1

–2x2 – 3x – 2

3x – 1

3x – 13x2 – 5 – (2x2 – 3x – 2)

x2 + 3x – 33x – 1 Combine like terms.

Distribute the negative sign.3x2 – 5 –

3x – 12x2 + 3x + 2

The expression is undefined at x = because this value makes 3x – 1 equal 0.

13

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

To add or subtract rational expressions with unlike denominators, first find the least common denominator (LCD). The LCD is the least common multiple of the polynomials in the denominators.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Find the least common multiple for each pair.

Example 2: Finding the Least Common Multiple of

Polynomials

A. 4x2y3 and 6x4y5

4x2y3 = 2 2 x2 y3

6x4y5 = 3 2 x4 y5

The LCM is 2 2 3 x4 y5, or 12x4y5.

B. x2 – 2x – 3 and x2 – x – 6

x2 – 2x – 3 = (x – 3)(x + 1)

x2 – x – 6 = (x – 3)(x + 2)

The LCM is (x – 3)(x + 1)(x + 2).

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Check It Out! Example 2

Find the least common multiple for each pair.

a. 4x3y7 and 3x5y4

4x3y7 = 2 2 x3 y7

3x5y4 = 3 x5 y4

The LCM is 2 2 3 x5 y7, or 12x5y7.

b. x2 – 4 and x2 + 5x + 6

x2 – 4 = (x – 2)(x + 2)

x2 + 5x + 6 = (x + 2)(x + 3)

The LCM is (x – 2)(x + 2)(x + 3).

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

To add rational expressions with unlike denominators, rewrite both expressions with the LCD. This process is similar to adding fractions.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Add. Identify any x-values for which the expression is undefined.

Example 3A: Adding Rational Expressions

x – 3x2 + 3x – 4

+2x

x + 4

x – 3(x + 4)(x – 1)

+2x

x + 4Factor the denominators.

The LCD is (x + 4)(x – 1),

so multiply by . 2x x + 4

x – 1x – 1

x – 3(x + 4)(x – 1)

+2x

x + 4x – 1x – 1

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

x – 3 + 2x(x – 1)(x + 4)(x – 1)

Add the numerators.

2x2 – x – 3(x + 4)(x – 1)

Simplify the numerator.

Example 3A Continued

Add. Identify any x-values for which the expression is undefined.

Write the sum in

factored or expanded

form.

2x2 – x – 3(x + 4)(x – 1)

2x2 – x – 3x2 + 3x – 4

or

The expression is undefined at x = –4 and x = 1 because these values of x make the factors (x + 4) and (x – 1) equal 0.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Add. Identify any x-values for which the expression is undefined.

x x + 2

+–8

x2 – 4

x x + 2

+–8

(x + 2)(x – 2)Factor the denominator.

The LCD is (x + 2)(x – 2),

so multiply by . x x + 2

x – 2x – 2

Example 3B: Adding Rational Expressions

x – 2x – 2

x x + 2

+–8

(x + 2)(x – 2)

x(x – 2) + (–8) (x + 2)(x – 2)

Add the numerators.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

x2 – 2x – 8 (x + 2)(x – 2)

Write the numerator in

standard form.

Add. Identify any x-values for which the expression is undefined.

Example 3B Continued

(x + 2)(x – 4)(x + 2)(x – 2)

Factor the numerator.

x – 4x – 2

Divide out common

factors.

The expression is undefined at x = –2 and x = 2 because these values of x make the factors (x + 2) and (x – 2) equal 0.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Check It Out! Example 3a

Add. Identify any x-values for which the expression is undefined.

3x 2x – 2

+3x – 23x – 3

Factor the denominators.

The LCD is 6(x – 1), so

multiply by 3 and

by 2.

3x 2(x – 1)

3x – 23(x – 1)

3x 2(x – 1)

+3x – 2

3(x – 1)

33

3x 2(x – 1)

+3x – 2

3(x – 1)22

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Check It Out! Example 3a Continued

Add. Identify any x-values for which the expression is undefined.

15x – 46(x – 1)

Simplify the numerator.

The expression is undefined at x = 1 because this value of x make the factor (x – 1) equal 0.

Add the numerators.9x + 6x – 4

6(x – 1)

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Add. Identify any x-values for which the expression is undefined.

2x + 6x2 + 6x + 9

+x

x + 3

Factor the denominators.

Check It Out! Example 3b

2x + 6(x + 3)(x + 3)

+x

x + 3

The LCD is (x + 3)(x + 3),

so multiply by .x

(x + 3)(x + 3) (x + 3)

2x + 6(x + 3)(x + 3)

+x

x + 3x + 3x + 3

Add the numerators.x2 + 3x + 2x + 6

(x + 3)(x + 3)

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Check It Out! Example 3b Continued

Add. Identify any x-values for which the expression is undefined.

Write the numerator in

standard form.

(x + 3)(x + 2)(x + 3)(x + 3)

Factor the numerator.

x + 2x + 3

Divide out common

factors.

The expression is undefined at x = –3 because this value of x make the factors (x + 3) and (x + 3) equal 0.

x2 + 5x + 6 (x + 3)(x + 3)

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Example 4: Subtracting Rational Expressions

Factor the denominators.

Subtract . Identify any x-

values for which the expression is undefined.

2x2 – 30

x2 – 9–

x + 3

x + 5

2x2 – 30

(x – 3)(x + 3)–

x + 3

x + 5

The LCD is (x – 3)(x + 3),

so multiply by .x + 5 x + 3

(x – 3) (x – 3)

2x2 – 30

(x – 3)(x + 3)–

x + 3

x + 5 x – 3x – 3

2x2 – 30 – (x + 5)(x – 3)(x – 3)(x + 3)

Subtract the numerators.

2x2 – 30 – (x2 + 2x – 15)(x – 3)(x + 3)

Multiply the binomials in

the numerator.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Example 4 Continued

Subtract . Identify any x-

values for which the expression is undefined.

2x2 – 30

x2 – 9–

x + 3

x + 5

2x2 – 30 – x2 – 2x + 15(x – 3)(x + 3)

Distribute the negative sign.

x2 – 2x – 15(x – 3)(x + 3)

Write the numerator in

standard form.

(x + 3)(x – 5)(x – 3)(x + 3) Factor the numerator.

x – 5x – 3 Divide out common factors.

The expression is undefined at x = 3 and x = –3 because these values of x make the factors (x + 3) and (x – 3) equal 0.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Subtract . Identify any x-

values for which the expression is undefined.

3x – 2

2x + 5–

5x – 2

2

(3x – 2)(5x – 2) – 2(2x + 5)(2x + 5)(5x – 2)

Subtract the numerators.

15x2 – 16x + 4 – (4x + 10)(2x + 5)(5x – 2)

Multiply the binomials in

the numerator.

Check It Out! Example 4a

3x – 2

2x + 5–

5x – 2

2 2x + 52x + 5

5x – 25x – 2

The LCD is (2x + 5)(5x – 2),

so multiply by

and by .

3x – 2 2x + 5

(5x – 2) (5x – 2)

2 5x – 2

(2x + 5) (2x + 5)

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Check It Out! Example 4a Continued

Distribute the negative sign.

The expression is undefined at x = – and x = because these values of x make the factors (2x + 5) and (5x – 2) equal 0.

15x2 – 16x + 4 – 4x – 10(2x + 5)(5x – 2)

52

25

Subtract . Identify any x-

values for which the expression is undefined.

3x – 2

2x + 5–

5x – 2

2

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Check It Out! Example 4b

Subtract . Identify any x-

values for which the expression is undefined.

2x2 + 64

x2 – 64–

x + 8

x – 4

2x2 + 64 – (x – 4)(x – 8)(x – 8)(x + 8)

Subtract the numerators.

2x2 + 64 – (x2 – 12x + 32)(x – 8)(x + 8)

Multiply the binomials in

the numerator.

Factor the denominators.2x2 + 64

(x – 8)(x + 8)–

x + 8

x – 4

The LCD is (x – 3)(x + 8),

so multiply by .x – 4 x + 8

(x – 8) (x – 8)

2x2 + 64

(x – 8)(x + 8)–

x + 8

x – 4 x – 8x – 8

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Check It Out! Example 4b

Distribute the negative sign.

x2 + 12x + 32(x – 8)(x + 8)

Write the numerator in

standard form.

(x + 8)(x + 4)(x – 8)(x + 8) Factor the numerator.

x + 4x – 8 Divide out common factors.

The expression is undefined at x = 8 and x = –8 because these values of x make the factors (x + 8) and (x – 8) equal 0.

Subtract . Identify any x-

values for which the expression is undefined.

2x2 + 64

x2 – 64–

x + 8

x – 4

2x2 + 64 – x2 + 12x – 32)(x – 8)(x + 8)

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Some rational expressions are complex fractions. A complex fraction contains one or more fractions in its numerator, its denominator, or both. Examples of complex fractions are shown below.

Recall that the bar in a fraction represents division. Therefore, you can rewrite a complex fraction as a division problem and then simplify. You can also simplify complex fractions by using the LCD of the fractions in the numerator and denominator.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Example 5A: Simplifying Complex Fractions

Simplify. Assume that all expressions are defined.

Write as division.

x + 2x – 1x – 3x + 5

Write the complex fraction as division.

x + 2x – 1

x – 3x + 5

÷

Multiply by the

reciprocal.x + 2x – 1

x + 5x – 3

Multiply.x2 + 7x + 10x2 – 4x + 3

(x + 2)(x + 5)(x – 1)(x – 3)

or

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Example 5B: Simplifying Complex Fractions

Simplify. Assume that all expressions are defined.

The LCD is 2x.

Multiply the numerator and denominator of the complex fraction by the LCD of the fractions in the numerator and denominator.

x – 1x

x2

3x

+

x – 1x

(2x)

x2

3x

+ (2x)(2x)

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Divide out common

factors.

Simplify.x2 + 6

2(x – 1)

(3)(2) + (x)(x)(x – 1)(2)

Example 5B Continued

Simplify. Assume that all expressions are defined.

x2 + 62x – 2

or

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Simplify. Assume that all expressions are defined.

Write as division.

x + 1x2 – 1

xx – 1

Write the complex fraction as division.

x + 1x2 – 1

xx – 1

÷

Multiply by the reciprocal.x + 1x2 – 1

x – 1x

Check It Out! Example 5a

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

1x

Simplify. Assume that all expressions are defined.

Check It Out! Example 5a Continued

x + 1(x – 1)(x + 1)

x – 1x

Divide out common factors.

Factor the denominator.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Check It Out! Example 5b

Simplify. Assume that all expressions are defined.

Write as division.

20x – 1

63x – 3

Write the complex fraction as division.

20x – 1

63x – 3

÷

Multiply by the reciprocal.20x – 1

3x – 36

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Check It Out! Example 5b Continued

Simplify. Assume that all expressions are defined.

Divide out common factors.

20x – 1

3(x – 1)6

Factor the numerator.

10

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Check It Out! Example 5c

Simplify. Assume that all expressions are defined.

The LCD is (2x)(x – 2).

Multiply the numerator and denominator of the complex fraction by the LCD of the fractions in the numerator and denominator.

x + 4x – 2

12x

1x

+

x + 4x – 2

(2x)(x – 2)

12x

1x

+ (2x)(x – 2)(2x)(x – 2)

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Check It Out! Example 5c Continued

Divide out common

factors.

Simplify.3x – 6

(x + 4)(2x)

(2)(x – 2) + (x – 2)(x + 4)(2x)

3(x – 2)2x(x + 4)

or

Simplify. Assume that all expressions are defined.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Example 6: Transportation Application

A hiker averages 1.4 mi/h when walking downhill on a mountain trail and 0.8 mi/h on the return trip when walking uphill. What is the hiker’s average speed for the entire trip? Round to the nearest tenth.

Total distance: 2d Let d represent the

one-way distance.

d0.8

d1.4

+Total time: Use the formula t = . rd

d0.8

d1.4

+

2dAverage speed:The average speed is

. total timetotal distance

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

d0.8

d1.4

+

2d= = and = = .

1.4d d

57 7

5d0.8d d

54 4

5d

5d4

5d7

+

2d(28)

(28) (28)

The LCD of the fractions in the

denominator is 28.

56d20d + 35d

Combine like terms and

divide out common factors.

Simplify.

55d55d

≈ 1.0

The hiker’s average speed is 1.0 mi/h.

Example 6 Continued

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Justin’s average speed on his way to school is 40 mi/h, and his average speed on the way home is 45 mi/h. What is Justin’s average speed for the entire trip? Round to the nearest tenth.

Total distance: 2d Let d represent the

one-way distance.

d45

d40

+Total time: Use the formula t = . rd

d45

d40

+

2dAverage speed:The average speed is

. total timetotal distance

Check It Out! Example 6

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

d40

(360)d

45+

2d(360)

(360)

The LCD of the fractions in the

denominator is 360.

720d9d + 8d

Combine like terms and

divide out common factors.

Simplify.

720d17d

≈ 42.4

Justin’s average speed is 42.4 mi/h.

Check It Out! Example 6

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Lesson Quiz: Part I

2.

3x2 – 2x + 7(x – 2)(x + 1)

x ≠ –1, 2

x – 9x – 4

x ≠ 4, –4

Add or subtract. Identify any x-values for which the expression is undefined.

1. 2x + 1x – 2

+x – 3x + 1

x x + 4

–x + 36x2 – 16

3. Find the least common multiple of x2 – 6x + 5and x2 + x – 2.

(x – 5)(x – 1)(x + 2)

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Adding and Subtracting

Rational Expressions

Lesson Quiz: Part II

1x

48 mi/h

5. Tyra averages 40 mi/h driving to the airportduring rush hour and 60 mi/h on the return triplate at night. What is Tyra’s average speed forthe entire trip?

4. Simplify . Assume that all expressions are defined.

x + 2x2 – 4

xx – 2

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