Rational Expressions 5 - Adding with Common Denominator

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Taught by YourMathGal
  • Currently 4.0/5 Stars.
5865 views | 1 rating
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Meets NCTM Standards:
Lesson Summary:

In this lesson on rational expressions, the focus is on adding expressions that already have a common denominator. The process involves adding the numerators and keeping the denominator intact, then simplifying if possible. Examples are given with both numeric and algebraic denominators, with the latter requiring factoring to see if there are any common factors that can be cancelled out. The lesson stresses the importance of not cancelling unless there are factors present and provides tips for factoring to determine if cancelling is possible.

Lesson Description:

How to add rational expressions that already have a common denominator, and how to simplify if it is possible to cancel.

More free YouTube videos by Julie Harland are organized at http://yourmathgal.com

Questions answered by this video:
  • How do you add and simplify (3x - 1)/(x^2 + 5x - 6) + (7 - 2x)/(x^2 + 5x - 6)?
  • How do you add rational expressions that have a common denominator?
  • How would you add 3/11 + 2/11?
  • How do you add a/D + b/D?
  • What is 1/12 + 5/12?
  • How do you add and simplify 5/2x^2 + 7/2x^2?
  • How do you add and simplify (2x - 3)/(x^2 - 4) + (x + 5)/(x^2 - 4)?
  • Can you factor and simplify (3x + 2)/(x^2 - 4)?
  • How can you add and simplify (x + 1)/(2x^2 - 5x - 12) + (x + 2)/(2x^2 - 5x - 12)?
  • How do you know if you cancel terms and simplify (x + 5)/(2x^2 - 5x - 12)?
  • How do you add and simplify 8y/(y + 2) + 16/(y + 2)?
  • Staff Review

    • Currently 4.0/5 Stars.
    This lesson goes over how to add complex rational expressions that have the same denominator and simplifying the result. Many different example problems are shown and solved step by step. Factoring and canceling common terms are reviewed in each problem.