Example

Adding 3y4y3+74y3\frac{3y}{4y-3} + \frac{7}{4y-3}

Add two rational expressions that share the polynomial denominator 4y34y - 3:

3y4y3+74y3\frac{3y}{4y - 3} + \frac{7}{4y - 3}

Step 1 — Add the numerators over the common denominator. Because both expressions already have the same denominator, combine the numerators:

3y+74y3\frac{3y + 7}{4y - 3}

Step 2 — Check whether the numerator and denominator can be factored. The numerator 3y+73y + 7 and the denominator 4y34y - 3 share no common polynomial factor, and neither can be factored further.

The fraction 3y+74y3\frac{3y + 7}{4y - 3} is already in simplified form.

This example illustrates that after adding the numerators of two rational expressions with a common denominator, the result may already be fully simplified — not every sum requires the factoring and cancellation steps.

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Updated 2026-04-21

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