How Do You Subtract Two Rational Expressions with Different Denominators?

How Do You Subtract Two Rational Expressions with Different Denominators?

Note:

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!

Keywords:

  • problem
  • rational expression
  • fraction
  • algebraic fraction
  • polynomial
  • subtract
  • difference
  • subtract fractions
  • different denominator
  • unequal denominator
  • simplify
  • simplest form
  • subtract polynomials
  • lcd
  • lowest common denominator
  • 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

      • What's a Term?What's a Term?

      What's a Term?

      Polynomials are those expressions that have variables raised to all sorts of powers and multiplied by all types of numbers. When you work with polynomials you need to know a bit of vocabulary, and one of the words you need to feel comfortable with is 'term'. So check out this tutorial, where you'll learn exactly what a 'term' in a polynomial is all about.

      • What are Equivalent Expressions?What are Equivalent Expressions?

      What are Equivalent Expressions?

      If two things are equivalent, they are the same. Equivalent expressions are expressions that are the same, even though they may look a little different. If you plug in the same variable value into equivalent expressions, they will each give you the same value when you simplify. Learn more about equivalent expression by watching this tutorial!

  • Multiplying Using FOIL

      • What's FOIL?What's FOIL?

      What's FOIL?

      The FOIL method. No, not aluminum foil! The FOIL method stands for First, Outer, Inner, and Last. It's a popular way multiply two binomials together. This tutorial makes the FOIL method a breeze!

  • Factors

      • What's a Factor?What's a Factor?

      What's a Factor?

      Factors are a fundamental part of algebra, so it would be a great idea to know all about them. This tutorial can help! Take a look!

  • Difference of Squares and Cubes

  • 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

      • What's the Least Common Denominator?What's the Least Common Denominator?

      What's the Least Common Denominator?

      When you're working with fractions, you may need to find the least common denominator (LCD) in order to get the fractions to have a common denominator so that you can add or subtract them. The LCD is the smallest multiple that the denominators have in common. Learn about the LCD 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!

  • Solving Rational Equations

      • How Do You Solve a Word Problem with a Rational Equation?How Do You Solve a Word Problem with a Rational Equation?

      How Do You Solve a Word Problem with a Rational Equation?

      This tutorial provides a great real world application of math! This tutorial shows you how to take the information given in a word problem and turn it into a rational equation. Then, you'll see how to solve that equation and get your answer!