Subtracting Rational Expressions

A rational expression is a fraction in which either the numerator, or the denominator, or both the numerator and the denominator are algebraic expressions.

In this lesson, we will be looking at how to subtract rational expressions with the same denominator and rational expressions with different denominators.

Subtracting Rational Expressions with Same Denominators

When the denominators of two algebraic fractions are the same, we can subtract the numerators and then simplify when possible.

Example:

Simplify the following expression:

Solution:

The following video shows how to subtract rational expressions with same denominators

Subtracting Rational Expressions with Different Denominators

When the denominators of two algebraic fractions are different, we need to find the Least Common Multiple of the denominators (or LCD) before we subtract the fractions.

Here are the steps you need to follow:

Step 1: Find the LCD

Step 2: Express each fraction with the LCM as the denominator.

Step 3: Subtract the numerators and simplify when possible.

Now we apply the above 3 steps in the following example.

Example:

Express the following as a fraction with a single denominator:

Solution:

The following video shows how to subtract rational expressions with different denominators.

The following video shows how to subtract rational expressions with different trinomial denominators.

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