Simplify each sum or difference. State any restrictions on the variables.

Question

angelwings996 · Answer

$$\frac{ 5y+2 }{ xy ^{2} } + \frac{ 2x-4 }{ 4xy }$$

phi · Answer

the restriction is you are not allowed to divide by zero.

phi · Answer

I would look for a common denominator

hero · Answer

Multiply the first fraction by 4/4
Multiply the second fraction by y/y
Afterwards, add the fractions together.

angelwings996 · Answer

Okay thank you!

angelwings996 · Answer

@Hero when I multiply them together, will they look like this?$$\frac{ 20y+8 }{ 4xy ^{2} } + \frac{ 2xy-4y }{ 4xy ^{2} }$$

hero · Answer

Yes, great job.

angelwings996 · Answer

@Hero Alright, well I am not sure if this is right but when I added them together I got $$\frac{ 2xy+16y+8 }{ 4xy ^{2} }$$

hero · Answer

That's correct

angelwings996 · Answer

Oh okay, what do I do now?

phi · Answer

State any restrictions on the variables.

angelwings996 · Answer

But in the back of the book it says that the answer is something completly different

phi · Answer

you can factor out a 2 from the top and bottom.  they will cancel

hero · Answer

^What he said

hero · Answer

Always look to see if the fraction can be simplified after adding

hero · Answer

Hmm, strange. I'm not sure how they got that.