QuestionAdd.
Select the correct choice below and fill in any answer boxes within your choice.
(Simplify your answer. Use integers or fractions for any numbers in the expression. Use a comma to separate answers as needed.)
A. ,
B. , no numbers must be excluded.
Studdy Solution
STEP 1
What is this asking? We need to add two fractions with variables and figure out which values of would make the denominator zero. Watch out! Don't forget to find the *least common denominator* and watch out for any values of that would make the denominator zero, because that's a no-no in math!
STEP 2
1. Find the Least Common Denominator
2. Add the Fractions
3. Simplify and Identify Excluded Values
STEP 3
Alright, let's **find the least common denominator (LCD)**!
We have and as our denominators.
The LCD is the smallest expression that both denominators divide into evenly.
STEP 4
Think of it like this: is the same as , and is the same as .
We need to take the highest power of each factor present in either denominator.
So, we need two 2's, one 3, and two 's.
That gives us .
Our **LCD is **!
STEP 5
Now, we need to rewrite each fraction so it has the **LCD** of as its denominator.
For the first fraction, , we multiply the top and bottom by because .
This gives us .
STEP 6
For the second fraction, , we multiply the top and bottom by because .
This gives us .
STEP 7
Now, we can **add the fractions**!
Since they have the same denominator, we can just add the numerators:
STEP 8
Let's **simplify** the numerator: .
So, our fraction becomes .
STEP 9
Now, let's think about **excluded values**.
We can't have a zero in the denominator, so we need to find any values of that would make equal to zero.
If , then , which means .
So, cannot be equal to **zero**.
STEP 10
So, our final answer is , and .
This matches choice A.
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