Module Six Lesson Two Guided Notes Name__________________

Module 6 Lesson One Introduction

We add and subtract fractions every day. Here’s a fun example: when you and your family
decide how much pizza to order, you add the fractions of pizza that each of you will eat. For
example, you eat ⅓ of a pizza and your brother eats ½ a pizza. How much of the pizza will you
eat? You need to add the fractions! Now your mom wants the leftovers. You will need to
subtract fractions to discover how much pizza your mom gets.
In this lesson, we will be extending our knowledge of addition and subtraction of fractions to
performing these operations on rational expressions.

LESSON OVERVIEW
You learned how to add and subtract fractions in elementary school. Now we work to extend
your knowledge to adding and subtracting rational expressions. The key concept to adding and
subtracting fractions and rational expressions is the same: you will need to find the common
denominator.

Lesson Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives: By the end of this lesson, you will:
1- Make. Connections between the concepts of rational expressions and
fractions.
2- Perform operations that can be performed on fractions, such as addition and
subtraction, on rational expressions containing variables.
3- Simplify rational expressions using addition and subtraction.
4- Simplify complex rational expressions.

KEY TERMS
Common denominator – The number or expression shared by two or more fractions
in the denominator of the fraction. A common denominator is required to add and
subtract fractions.
Complex fraction – Fraction that is comprised of fractional expressions in the
numerator and/or the denominator.
Restriction – Value for a variable that causes a rational expression to be undefined.

Topic: Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions with Like Denominators

In order to add and subtract fractions and rational expressions, all terms must
have the same denominator. Basically, you are looking for “twin” denominators
that look alike, just as this set of twins look alike!
Notes One - Adding/Subtracting Fractions

When we add and subtract fractions, we must first name sure they share a Common/like
denominator

Let’s start with examples that already have a common denominator.

2 3
+ =¿
7 7
5/7

1 5
+ =¿
9 9
6/9 = 2/3

1 6
+ =¿
4 4
7/4 = 1 ¾

5 4
− =¿
6 6
1/6

9 4
− =¿
10 10
5/10 = 1/2

6 7
−
5 5
= -1/5

2
Adding/Subtracting Rational Expressions

Recall that rational expressions are simply fractions that include variable expressions. To add
and subtract rational expressions, we must make sure that the terms all have the same
denominator.

Once again, we begin with examples that already have a common denominator.

Don’t forget to state any restrictions on the variables!

1+ 2 x 3−x
+ =¿ 4 + x / 4x, x≠0
4x 4x

r−2 2r + 6
+ =¿
2r 2+1 2 r 2 +1

x 1
3
+ 3 =¿
x +1 x +1

m−2 m+2
2
− 2
=¿
6m 6m

1 x+1
− =¿
x−2 x−2

x +7 1−x
− =¿
2 x +6 2 x+6

Notes Two - Adding/Subtracting Fractions with Unlike Denominators

When we add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators, we must find a

3
_____________ ____________________.

1 1
For example, when we try to add and , we must find a common denominator first.
2 3

The common denominator is the smallest number that both of the denominators divide into
evenly.

In our example, the common denominator is 6.

Let’s add our fractions:

1 1
+ =¿
2 3

Adding/Subtracting Rational Expressions: Single Factor in the Denominator

Just like with fractions, when we add rational expressions with unlike denominators, we look to
find the common denominator.

We begin by learning about rational expressions with a single factor in the denominator.

Let’s try adding and subtracting the following expressions:

Don’t forget to state the restrictions!

x 7 a 4a
+ =¿ + =¿
x−4 x +4 a−2 a−3

4
 4 r2 y 1
− =¿ − =¿
3 r r −1 2
2 y +1 3 y

Adding/Subtracting Rational Expressions: Multiple Factors in the Denominator (Factored Form)

Many times, our denominators are more complex than just having a single factor.

We will start with a few problems where we have multiple factors in the denominator and where
the denominator is already in factored form:

Don’t forget to state the restrictions!

6 x m 2m
+ =¿ − =¿
( x−2 )( x +2 ) x−2 ( 2m+1 ) ( m−2 ) ( m−2 )( m+3 )

1 2y 1 3
+ =¿ − 2 =¿
( 4 y ) ( y−1 ) y ( y +2 ) 2
a b ab

Adding/Subtracting Rational Expressions: Multiple Factors in the Denominator (Unfactored

Form)

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In this next set of problems, we increase the difficulty by learning how to add and subtract
rational expressions where the denominators are not yet in factored form. For these problems,
we must first factor the denominator and then search for a common denominator before we add.

Let’s try a few problems:

Don’t forget to state the restrictions!

x 2 1 1
+ =¿ + 2 =¿
x −1 x+1
2 2
x +7 x +10 x −x−6

m m+3 5r r−1
− 2 =¿ − =¿
2
m +6 m+9 m +3 m 3 r+ 6 r +2

6
You Try
Now it is time to complete problems on your own. (Don’t forget to state restrictions.)

2 1 x 4
+ =¿ + =¿
x−8 8−x x −16 x−4
2

1 s−1 y +1 2
+ 2 =¿ + =¿
s +1 s +s y−1 y ( y−1 )

2 x +1 3
2
+ 2 =¿
x +5 x +4 x −16

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Notes Three - Simplifying Complex Fractions

Complex Fraction: ______________________________________________

Complex fraction examples:

The goal is to simplify complex fractions into a single fraction expression.

Let’s practice:

1
2
=¿
3
4

3
=¿
2
9

2
3
=¿
4

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Simplifying Complex Rational Expressions

Complex rational expressions: _______________________________________

________________________________________________________________

Complex rational expression examples:

In order to simplify complex rational expressions, we must use our skills in adding, subtracting,
multiplying, and dividing fractions.

The first step is to ensure that there is a single term in each the numerator and the denominator.

Let’s simplify complex rational expressions that begin with a single term in each the numerator
and the denominator. Simplifying these expressions involves the operations of
____________________ and ____________________.

Make sure you state any restrictions on the domain.

1
x
=¿
x+1

2
=¿
1
2 x−1

x−1
x
=¿
2
x +1

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For complex rational expressions with more than one term in either the numerator or
denominator (or both), we must first combine terms to establish one single term in each the
numerator and the denominator.

Combining terms involves the operations of ____________________ and ____________________.

Let’s start by rewriting the following expression as a complex rational expression with a single
term in the numerator.

1 x
+
x x +1
=¿
4
x+1

Once we have a single term in each the numerator and denominator, we can simplify the complex
rational expression using the operations of ____________________ and ____________________.

2
x + x+1
x ( x+1 )
=¿
4
x +1

Make sure you state any restrictions on the domain!

Practice Simplifying Complex Rational Expressions

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 1
x+2
=¿
2 3
+
x +2 x

1
2−
x
=¿
1
2+
x

You Try

Now it is time to complete problems on your own. (Don’t forget to state restrictions.)

2
x−3
=¿
1 4
+
x−3 x+1

3 1
+
x −4 x−2
2
=¿
1 1
+
x +2 x−2

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