math help again

how do I type fractions in my posts???
Don't know how to type fractions inside this post

Is the denominator 2a-3+a-3?

Or 2a-3+a-3 over 3a+2?

two separate fractions 2a+1 divided by 2a-3

plus

a-3 divided by 3a+2


so two different denominators

Warning. Math midget speaking. Maybe if I get it wrong--which is a distinct possibility, someone will have pity on you, and swoop in with the corect answer.

Anyway--

You can factor 2a-3.

HEY! Brainiacs--put yourself to some use. Can you factor 3a+2?

I mean, I got

a+1
____
(a+3)(3a+2)

Somehow, a shock to me, (this is sarcasm) I think that may be incorrect.

check out purplemath.com.

still not sure i understand....

two separate fractions 2a+1 divided by 2a-3

plus

a-3 divided by 3a+2
-----------------------------
2(a+1).........+........(a-3)
_____...................______
2(a-3)(a+3)..........3(a+2)

So, I can only show you the tortured ruminations of a mathematically challenged fellow traveller, and hope something I do reminds you of something you learned.

Cancel the 2s, and the (a-3)s.

If I factored completely, what is left should be the answer.

If I didn't, it's not.

Do I not need a common denominator on the bottom, before I can start to add the tops?

Oh ****. I might have missed that day.


LOL!

<nevermind>

(I think I was multiplying...)

Yah.

LOL

OK, now that you have complete confidence in my maniacal math powers, let us proceed!

K! To find the CD, write the fractions with BOTH denominators beneath each numerator.

2(a+1).........+........(a-3)
_____...................______
2(a-3)3(A+2)..........3(a+2)2(a-3)

OK. Now, multiply the numerator by the denominator that wasn't originally the denominator--or sprout wings and fly to Mount Olympus, whichever would be easier.

The only way to get a common denominator is to multiply the first fraction by (3a+2)/(3a+2) and then multiply the second fraction by (2a-3)/(2a-3). That will give you a common denominator of (3a+2)*(2a-3). You also get a pretty messy numerator--try to work it out, if you run into problems I'll work on it some more myself to see if I can help out.

BTW, Lash--you can't simplify (2a-3) as 2(a-3).
2(a-3), when worked out, is actually 2a-6.