How to add rational expressions with different denominators

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GRE Quantitative Reasoning › How to add rational expressions with different denominators

Questions 1 - 5
1

Choose the answer which best simplifies the following expression:

Explanation

To solve this problem, first multiply both terms of the expression by the denominator of the other over itself:

Now that both terms have a common denominator, you can add them together:

2

Simplify the expression.

Explanation

To add rational expressions, first find the least common denominator. Because the denominator of the first fraction factors to 2(x+2), it is clear that this is the common denominator. Therefore, multiply the numerator and denominator of the second fraction by 2.

This is the most simplified version of the rational expression.

3

Choose the answer which best simplifies the following expression:

Explanation

To simplify this expression, you have to get both numerators over a common denominator. The best way to go about doing so is to multiply both expressions by the others denominator over itself:

Then you are left with:

Which you can simplify into:

From there, you can take out a :

Which gives you your final answer:

4

Simplify the following:

Explanation

To simplify the following, a common denominator must be achieved. In this case, the first term must be multiplied by (x+2) in both the numerator and denominator and likewise with the second term with (x-3).

5

Choose the answer which best simplifies the following expression:

Explanation

To simplify, first multiply both terms by the denominator of the other term over itself:

Then, you can combine the terms, now that they share a denominator:

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