Question

(a+8)/(a-1) +(a+4)/(a+1) - (8a+2)/(a^2-1)

Answer 1

is this all one equation?

Answer 2

yes

Answer 3

I have to simplify it.

Answer 4

I don't need to know a.

Answer 5

i guess would you add all the three equations up and then divide them?

Answer 6

so it would be (2a+12)/(2a+5)-(8a+2)/(a*2-1) and then you simplify that?

Answer 7

@L-Lawliet-L to add these fractions, you need to have the same base (denominator)

Answer 8

so your bases are:
a-1
a+1
and
a^2 - 1

so convert them to the same base (use a^2 - 1)

Answer 9

(a+8)/(a-1) + (a+4)/(a+1) - (8a+2)/(a^2-1)

so first fraction; multiply top and bottom by (a+1):
(a+8) * (a+1) = (a^2 + 8a + 1a + 8)
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(a-1) * (a+1) = a^2 - 1

Answer 10

now 2nd fraction; multiply top and bottom by (a-1):
(a+4) * (a-1) = ( ...??? @L-Lawliet-L )
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(a+1) * (a-1) = a^2 - 1

Answer 11

anyway, now all 3 have the same denominator, so you can add the numerators across directly (so just all all like terms on the top lines)