Algebraic Fractions
Algebraic Fractions
EXAMPLE: EXAMPLE:
2 a - 3 5a + 2
Simplify -
4 6
SOLUTION
2 a - 3 5a + 2
-
4 6
( i ) Find the LCM of 4 and 6 = 12
LCM
( ii ) gives 3, multiply 2a - 3 by 3
4
LCM
( iii ) gives 2, multiply 5a + 2 by 2
6
EXAMPLE: Using the distributive law,
Simplify
7
+
5 3 ( 2 a - 3 ) - 2 ( 5a + 2 )
9 pq 18 p ,
12
SOLUTION we get,
The LCM of 9 pq and 18p is 18pq 6a - 9 - 10a - 4
,
7 5 12
Thus +
9 pq 18 p group like terms then simplify
2 ( 7 ) + q ( 5) 6a - 10a - 9 - 4 -4a - 13
=
18 pq 12 12
14 + 5q
18 pq
EXAMPLE: EXAMPLE:
3 5
Simplify + expressing
Express as a single fraction x-2 x+3
5 p your answer as a single fraction.
-
q 3
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
EXAMPLE:
SOLUTION
EXERCISE C7
3p q a 3a
+ +
(1) 2 p (2) 5 2
x - 2 x+1 x- 3 x- 2
+ -
(3) 3 4 (4) 3 5
5p +2 3p -1 2k 2 -k
- +
(5) 3 4 (6) 3 5
3 4
+
(7) x x+1 (8)
3 5
+
x - 2 x+3