How do you simplify #3/(x+2) + 6/(x-1)#?

1 Answer
mimi
Oct 9, 2015

By finding the Lowest Common Multiple (LCM)

Ans: #(9x+9)/((x+2)(x-1))#

Explanation:

#3/(x+2)+6/(x-1)#

Compare the denominators of #3# and #6#.

Notice that the denominator of #3# lacks #x-1#, while the denominator of #6# lacks #x+2#.

Therefore, multiply #3# by #x-1#, and multiply #6# by #x+2#. Their sum will make up the numerator of your final expression.

To obtain the denominator of your final expression, multiply #x+2# by #x-1#.

#(3(x-1)+6(x+2))/((x+2)*(x-1))#

#(3x-3+6x+12)/((x+2)(x-1))#

#(9x+9)/((x+2)(x-1))#

The numerator and the denominator don't contain any common numbers that could be canceled out, so the expression can't be further simplified and this will be your final answer

Related questions
See all questions in Addition and Subtraction of Rational Expressions
Impact of this question
1584 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License