Evaluate 5/(x−1)+2/(x+4)

we need to have a common denominator (bottom number the same) to be able to add or subtract fractionsmultiply first fraction by (x+4) on numerator (top) and denominator (bottom)multiply second fraction by (x-1) on numerator and denominatorwe now have...(5(x+4))/((x-1)(x+4)) + (2(x-1))((x-1)(x+4))put into one fraction (5(x+4)+2(x-1))/((x-1)(x+4))expand out the brackets(5x+20+2x-2)/((x-1)(x+4))gather like terms(7x+18)/((x-1)(x+4))check whether the top line can be factorisedno common factor so cannot be factorisedthis is the final solution

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Answered by Claire W. Maths tutor

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