MathMaster Blog

A rational number is a number that can be written as the ratio of two integers.

To add or subtract rational numbers, use the same rules for signs as for integers.

To add or subtract two rational expressions, each fraction must have the same denominator.

Example:

$ -\frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{6}$

Step1:

As the numerators are different, we need to rewrite the expression using the LCD

$ -\frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{6} = \frac{-2}{6} + \frac{1}{6}$

Step2:

Write the sum of the numerators over the same denominator

$\frac{-2 + 1}{6} = \frac{-1}{6} = -\frac{1}{6}$

Answer: $-\frac{1}{6}$