Example

Subtracting −3n−9n2+n−6−n+32−n\frac{-3n-9}{n^2+n-6} - \frac{n+3}{2-n}

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:

−3n−9n2+n−6−n+32−n\frac{-3n - 9}{n^2 + n - 6} - \frac{n + 3}{2 - n}

Step 1 — Factor the first denominator. The trinomial n2+n−6n^2 + n - 6 factors as (n−2)(n+3)(n - 2)(n + 3), since (−2)+3=1(-2) + 3 = 1 and (−2)(3)=−6(-2)(3) = -6:

−3n−9(n−2)(n+3)−n+32−n\frac{-3n - 9}{(n - 2)(n + 3)} - \frac{n + 3}{2 - n}

Step 2 — Handle the opposite denominators. The expressions (n−2)(n - 2) and (2−n)(2 - n) are opposites because 2−n=−(n−2)2 - n = -(n - 2). Multiply the numerator and denominator of the second fraction by −1-1:

−3n−9(n−2)(n+3)−(−1)(n+3)(−1)(2−n)=−3n−9(n−2)(n+3)+n+3n−2\frac{-3n - 9}{(n - 2)(n + 3)} - \frac{(-1)(n + 3)}{(-1)(2 - n)} = \frac{-3n - 9}{(n - 2)(n + 3)} + \frac{n + 3}{n - 2}

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 (n−2)(n+3)(n - 2)(n + 3) and (n−2)(n - 2). The LCD is (n−2)(n+3)(n - 2)(n + 3). The first fraction already has the LCD. Multiply the second fraction's numerator and denominator by (n+3)(n + 3):

−3n−9(n−2)(n+3)+(n+3)(n+3)(n−2)(n+3)\frac{-3n - 9}{(n - 2)(n + 3)} + \frac{(n + 3)(n + 3)}{(n - 2)(n + 3)}

Expand the second numerator: (n+3)(n+3)=n2+6n+9(n + 3)(n + 3) = n^2 + 6n + 9.

Step 4 — Add the numerators over the common denominator:

−3n−9+n2+6n+9(n−2)(n+3)=n2+3n(n−2)(n+3)\frac{-3n - 9 + n^2 + 6n + 9}{(n - 2)(n + 3)} = \frac{n^2 + 3n}{(n - 2)(n + 3)}

Step 5 — Factor the numerator and simplify. Extract the GCF from the numerator: n2+3n=n(n+3)n^2 + 3n = n(n + 3). Cancel the shared factor (n+3)(n + 3):

n(n+3)(n−2)(n+3)=nn−2\frac{n(n + 3)}{(n - 2)(n + 3)} = \frac{n}{n - 2}

This example combines the opposite-denominators technique with the standard unlike-denominators procedure. After converting the opposite denominator using −1−1\frac{-1}{-1}, 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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Updated 2026-05-14

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