HOME MATH TUTORIALS MATH SOLVERS MATH LABS PRINT RESOURCES TI-NSPIRE TUTORIALS VIDEO GALLERY
MATH IN THE NEWS POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS PROMETHEAN FLIPCHARTS DVD PRODUCTS SOCIAL MEDIA CONTACT US
Combining Rational Expressions
In this example, one rational expression is subtracted from another.
Review of rational expressions:
In this set of Math Tutorials we review operations on rational numbers and rational expressions.
Rational numbers. A rational number is the ratio of two integers a/b, where b cannot equal zero. Combining rational expressions of the form
a/b + c/d
a/b – c/d
involves adding or subtracting fractions. Make sure you are familiar with the key skills involved in combining fractions. This includes finding a common denominator, finding the least common denominator, adding numerators, and simplifying fractions. These skills are necessary when combining rational numbers.
Rational expressions. A rational expression is the ratio of two variable expressions. For example, here are some rational expressions
1/x , 2x/(3x + 1)
In each case there is a variable expression in the numerator, denominator, or both. In this set of Math Tutorials we look at combining rational expressions of the following form:
1/ax ± 1/b
a/bx ± c/dx
1/(x ± a) ± 1/(x ± b)
1/(ax ± b) ± 1/(cx ± d)
In all of these cases, the skills of combining fraction are a key to combining fractions. Even though the denominators of two rational expressions may contain variables, it is still possible to find a common denominator. The same skill set is involved.
Tweet Learn More About Math Tutorials
The library of Math Tutorials is a comprehensive collection of worked-out solutions to common math problems. This overcomes a common limitation of most textbooks: the handful of worked-out examples for a given concept. We provide the full array of examples and solutions, allowing students to identify patterns among the solutions, in order to aid concept retention. We also have quizzes for many of these topics.
Our current inventory of Math Examples include:
- Math Tutorial: Examples Using Algebra Tiles
- Math Tutorial: Solving Equations in One Variable
- Math Tutorial: Solving Equations with Fractions
- Math Tutorial: Solving Equations with Percents
- Math Tutorial: Slope formula
- Math Tutorial: Midpoint formula
- Math Tutorial: Distance formula
- Math Tutorial: Graphing linear functions, given m and b
- Math Tutorial: Graphing absolute value functions
- Math Tutorial: Graphing linear inequalities
- Math Tutorial: Using the Point-Slope form
- Math Tutorial: Finding the equation of a line given two points
- Math Tutorial: Graphing parallel and perpendicular lines
- Math Tutorial: Solving quadratics graphically
- Math Tutorial: Solving quadratics by completing the square
- Math Tutorial: Factoring Quadratics
- Math Tutorial: Polynomial Expansion
- Math Tutorial: Solving quadratics using the quadratic formula
- Math Tutorial: Using FOIL
- Math Tutorial: Graphs of Exponential Functions
- Math Tutorial: Laws of Exponents
- Math Tutorial: Graphs of Logarithmic Functions
- Math Tutorial: Graphs of Rational Functions
- Math Tutorial: Combining Rational Expressions
- Math Tutorial: Graphs of Conic Sections
