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A Teaching- Learning Package in Mathematics 8

Teacher: Maryland V. Pasilan

Method: Deductive Method
TLP 13.1: Addition and Subtraction of Rational Expression
 Addition and Subtraction of Rational Expressions with different denominator
Objectives: Through the discussion and examples, the students will be able to:
1. Add and subtract rational expressions with the different denominator

A. ACTIVATION
The class are grouped into 3. Each group must solve the riddle below. First group to solve is the winner.

Presentation
From the activity, you are tasked to find match the least common multiple to its factor. How does the
least common multiple use in adding and subtracting different rational expressions with different denominator?

B. Addition and subtraction of rational expressions with different denominators

 If two rational expressions have the different denominators, the sum is defined as:
a c a • d c •b ad +bc a c a •d c •b ad−bc
+ = + = and the difference is − = −
b d b • d d •b bd b d b •d d • b bd

Below are the guided steps in adding and subtracting rational expressions with different denominators.
 Get the LCD of all the fractions.
 Change their equivalent fraction using LCD.
 Proceed to addition or subtraction of similar fraction.

B. BUILDING - UP
Discussion
Let us have some examples.
Addition and subtraction of rational expressions with different denominators
Example 1
2 3
Add +
3x 2 y
Solution:
Find the LCD (Least common denominator)
To do this, factor the denominators.
3x =3•x If there are no common factors, multiply the denominators for LCD
2y = 2•y
2 3 ? ?
+ = +
3 x 2 y 6 xy 6 xy
To obtain the numerator, divide LCD (6xy) by the original denominator, then multiply. (Same process as
we add or subtract fractions)
2 3 2(2 y) 3 (3 x )
+ = +
3x 2 y 6 xy 6 xy
4 y 9x
= + These are the equivalent similar rational expressions.
6 xy 6 xy
4 y+9x
= Add the numerators
6 xy

Try this #1!

Add or subtract the following rational expressions. Write your answer in the simplest form.
x 2x 7 3
1. − 2. +
5 3 10 a 5 a
[Students are tasked to solve it and they will be called to explain their answers.]

Example 2
Subtract and simplify.
x 2
− 2
( x +1) ( x −1)
Solution:
x 2
− 2 Find the LCD of both denominators.
( x +1) ( x −1)

x+1 = x+1
x2 -1 = (x+1)(x-1) LCD is (x+1)(x-1)
LCD is made up of common factor.
x 2
= −
( x +1) ( x+1)( x−1)
x( x−1) 2(1)
= −
( x +1)(x−1) ( x +1)(x−1)

( x2 −x) 2
= −
(x +1)(x−1) (x +1)(x−1)
It is better to write common denominators in factored form.
2
(x −x−2)
= Subtract the numerators.
( x +1)(x−1)
( x−2)(x +1)
= Factor the numerator.
( x +1)(x−1)
( x−2)
= Cancel out the common factors.
( x−1)

Try this #2!

Add or subtract the following rational expressions. Write your answer in the simplest form.
3y y 3 5
1. 2 − 2. 2 +
y −25 y−5 x −1 x−1
[Students are tasked to solve it and they will be called to explain their answers.]

Note: In adding or subtracting, we follow the same process. The only difference is the operation. Be
careful. Check it properly if it is a subtraction and addition.
Example 3
Subtract and simplify.
(2 x−1)
( x−2)
( x ¿¿ 2−6 x +5)− ¿
(x ¿¿ 2−4 x−5)¿
Solution:
Factor each denominator.
x2 -6x+5 =(x-5)(x-1)
x2-4x-5 =________________________
LCD =(x-5)(x+1)(x-1)
Write the denominator in factored form. Observe the denominator of each term in a factor form.
Compare the numerator to the LCD. Look what term/expression is missing. The, you will multiply it in both
numerator or denominator.
(2 x−1) (x−2)
= −
( x−5)(x−1) (x−5)( x +1)
 2 x−1 x +1 x−2 x−1 x+1
= • − • For the first expression, we multiply
( x−5)(x−1) x +1 (x−5)(x+ 1) x−1 x+1
since x+1
is the missing to be the same as the LCD. Same as
x−1
as the second term, we multiply since that’s
x−1
the
missing expression.
(2 x −1)(x +1) (x−2)( x−1)
= − Equivalent rational expression with LCD on
( x−5)(x−1)(x +1) (x −5)(x +1)(x−1)
denominator, multiply numerators.

(2 x 2 + x−1) (x 2−3 x+ 2)
= − Simplify.
(x−5)(x−1)(x +1) (x −5)(x +1)(x−1)
(18)¿
= ¿ Since we have same denominators, subtract
[ ( x−5 ) ( x−1 ) ( x +1 ) ]
numerators, remove parentheses.
2
(x + 4 x−3)
=
[ ( x−5 ) ( x−1 ) ( x +3 ) ]

Example 4

Add and subtract, then simplify.

5 (x+3) 3x
+ 2 − 2
(x−6) (x −7 x +6) (x −5 x−6)

Solution:
Factor each denominator.
x-6=(x-6)
2
x -7x+6 =(x-6)(x-1)
x2 -5x-6=(x-6)(x+1)
LCD=(x-6)(x-1)(x+1)
5 x+ 3 3x
= + −
( x−6) [ ( x−6 ) ( x−1 ) ] [ ( x−6 )( x +1 ) ]

=
5
( x−6)
• ( )( )
x−1 x +1
x−1 x +1
+
( x +3 )
( x−6 ) ( x−1 )( )
•
x+ 1
x+ 1
−
3x
( )
•
(x−6)(x+1) x−1
x−1

5 (x−1)( x+1) (x +3)(x+ 1) 3 x (x−1)

= + −
( x−6)(x −1)(x +1) (x−6)( x−1)(x +1) (x−6)(x +1)(x−1)
2 2 2
(5 x −5) (x + 4 x +3) (3 x −3 x)
= + − Simplify numerator
( x−6)(x +1)(x−1) (x−6)( x−1)(x +1) (x−6)(x +1)(x−1)
(19)¿
=
[ ( x−6 )( x +1 ) ( x−1 ) ]
2 2 2
(5 x −5+ x +4 x +3−3 x +3 x)
= Add and subtract the
[ ( x−6 )( x +1 ) ( x−1 ) ]
numerators.
(20)¿
= Combine similar terms.
[ ( x−−6 )( x +1 ) ( x −1 ) ]

Based on the given examples, what have you observed in the procedure?

Try this #4!

Add or subtract the following rational expressions. Write your answer in the simplest form.
Activity!
What is wrong with me!
The teacher will present the following solutions. Students are called to check whether it is right or not. They
will give the correct solution or answer or the problem

Generalization
Now that you have learned adding and subtracting rational algebraic expressions. You are now able to fill in the
graphic organizer below. Write each step in adding or subtracting rational algebraic expression in the boxes
below.
C. CLOSURE
Application