Example

Adding 9x+14x+7+x2x+7\frac{9x+14}{x+7} + \frac{x^2}{x+7}

To simplify the sum of 9x+14x+7\frac{9x+14}{x+7} and x2x+7\frac{x^2}{x+7}, use the procedure for adding rational expressions with a common denominator.

Step 1 — Add the numerators. Since the denominators are the same, combine the numerators over the shared denominator x+7x+7: 9x+14+x2x+7\frac{9x+14+x^2}{x+7}

Step 2 — Rearrange and factor the numerator. Write the numerator in standard descending order as x2+9x+14x^2+9x+14. Then, factor the trinomial into (x+2)(x+7)(x+2)(x+7): (x+2)(x+7)x+7\frac{(x+2)(x+7)}{x+7}

Step 3 — Simplify the expression. Cancel the common factor (x+7)(x+7) from the numerator and the denominator: x+2x+2

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Updated 2026-04-30

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