Subtracting
Subtract two rational expressions where one denominator is a factorable trinomial and the other is opposite to one of its factors, then find the LCD, combine, and simplify:
Step 1 — Factor the first denominator. The trinomial factors as , since and :
Step 2 — Handle the opposite denominators. The expressions and are opposites because . Multiply the numerator and denominator of the second fraction by :
The subtraction of a fraction with the opposite denominator converts to addition once the denominator is corrected.
Step 3 — Find the LCD and rewrite. The denominators are now and . The LCD is . The first fraction already has the LCD. Multiply the second fraction's numerator and denominator by :
Expand the second numerator: .
Step 4 — Add the numerators over the common denominator:
Step 5 — Factor the numerator and simplify. Extract the GCF from the numerator: . Cancel the shared factor :
This example combines the opposite-denominators technique with the standard unlike-denominators procedure. After converting the opposite denominator using , the two fractions still do not share a common denominator — one additional step of rewriting with the LCD is required before the numerators can be combined. The problem also illustrates that factoring the first denominator may reveal a factor that is the opposite of the second denominator, a pattern that is not always immediately obvious.
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