Example

Try It 7.52: Simplifying 1a+1b1a21b2\frac{\frac{1}{a}+\frac{1}{b}}{\frac{1}{a^2}-\frac{1}{b^2}} by Writing it as Division

To simplify the complex rational expression 1a+1b1a21b2\frac{\frac{1}{a}+\frac{1}{b}}{\frac{1}{a^2}-\frac{1}{b^2}} by writing it as division, proceed as follows:

Step 1. Simplify the numerator and denominator. In the numerator, the common denominator is abab: rewrite as bab+aab=b+aab\frac{b}{ab} + \frac{a}{ab} = \frac{b + a}{ab}. In the denominator, the common denominator is a2b2a^2b^2: rewrite as b2a2b2a2a2b2=b2a2a2b2\frac{b^2}{a^2b^2} - \frac{a^2}{a^2b^2} = \frac{b^2 - a^2}{a^2b^2}. This simplifies the overall structure to b+aabb2a2a2b2\frac{\frac{b + a}{ab}}{\frac{b^2 - a^2}{a^2b^2}}.

Step 2. Rewrite as division. Replace the main fraction bar with a division sign: b+aab÷b2a2a2b2\frac{b + a}{ab} \div \frac{b^2 - a^2}{a^2b^2}.

Step 3. Multiply and factor. Multiply by the reciprocal: b+aaba2b2b2a2\frac{b + a}{ab} \cdot \frac{a^2b^2}{b^2 - a^2}. Factor the difference of squares in the denominator to reveal common terms: b2a2=(ba)(b+a)b^2 - a^2 = (b - a)(b + a). The expression expands to (b+a)a2b2ab(ba)(b+a)\frac{(b + a) \cdot a^2b^2}{ab(b - a)(b + a)}.

Step 4. Simplify. Divide out the common factors of abab and (b+a)(b + a) (recognizing that b+ab + a is equivalent to a+ba + b). The remaining simplified expression is abba\frac{ab}{b - a}.

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Updated 2026-04-30

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