How Do You Subtract Two Rational Expressions with the Same Denominator?

How Do You Subtract Two Rational Expressions with the Same Denominator?

Note:

Subtracting rational expressions? If they have a common denominator, just subtract the numerators and simplify. Just like you would with any other fractions! Watch the process in this tutorial.

Keywords:

  • problem
  • rational expression
  • fraction
  • algebraic fraction
  • polynomial
  • subtract
  • difference
  • subtract fractions
  • common denominator
  • equal denominator
  • simplify
  • simplest form
  • subtract polynomials
  • numerator
  • denominator

Background Tutorials

  • Fraction Basics

      • What's a Numerator and What's A Denominator?What's a Numerator and What's A Denominator?

      What's a Numerator and What's A Denominator?

      Numerators and denominators are the key ingredients that make fractions, so if you want to work with fractions, you have to know what numerators and denominators are. Lucky for you, this tutorial will teach you some great tricks for remembering what numerators and denominators are all about.

  • Simplifying Expressions

      • How Do You Simplify an Expression?How Do You Simplify an Expression?

      How Do You Simplify an Expression?

      Simplifying an algebraic expression is a fundamental part of solving math problems. Get some practice putting an expression in simplest form by following along with this tutorial.

      • What are Like Terms?What are Like Terms?

      What are Like Terms?

      Combining like terms together is a key part of simplifying mathematical expressions, so check out this tutorial to see how you can easily pick out like terms from an expression

  • The Distributive Property

  • Simplifying Rational Expressions

      • What's a Rational Expression?What's a Rational Expression?

      What's a Rational Expression?

      Got a fraction with a polynomial in the numerator and denominator? You have a rational expression! Learn about rational expressions in this tutorial.

  • Adding and Subtracting with Unlike Denominators

      • How Do You Subtract Two Rational Expressions with Different Denominators?How Do You Subtract Two Rational Expressions with Different Denominators?

      How Do You Subtract Two Rational Expressions with Different Denominators?

      Subtracting rational expressions? Don't have common denominators? No problem! Find the least common denominator (LCD) and change each rational expression into an equivalent expression with that LCD. Once you have common denominators, you're ready to subtract and simplify! Watch it all in this tutorial!

Further Exploration

  • Adding and Subtracting with Like Denominators

  • Adding and Subtracting with Unlike Denominators

      • How Do You Subtract Two Rational Expressions with Different Denominators?How Do You Subtract Two Rational Expressions with Different Denominators?

      How Do You Subtract Two Rational Expressions with Different Denominators?

      Subtracting rational expressions? Don't have common denominators? No problem! Find the least common denominator (LCD) and change each rational expression into an equivalent expression with that LCD. Once you have common denominators, you're ready to subtract and simplify! Watch it all in this tutorial!