# Subtracting Algerbra Fractions

• March 15th 2011, 09:38 PM
maca404
Subtracting Algerbra Fractions
Hi

I am having trouble with simplifying this:
1/x+2 - 1/x+4

I get the following:

2/x^2+6x+8

It just does not seem right can anyone see where I might be going wrong ?

Thanks
• March 15th 2011, 09:45 PM
Prove It
Please use brackets where they're necessary or learn some LaTeX, otherwise it can't be read.

I assume you mean $\displaystyle \frac{1}{x + 2} - \frac{1}{x + 4}$

$\displaystyle = \frac{x + 4}{(x+2)(x+4)}-\frac{x+2}{(x+2)(x+4)}$

$\displaystyle = \frac{x+4 - (x+2)}{(x+2)(x+4)}$

$\displaystyle = \frac{2}{(x+2)(x+4)}$

$\displaystyle = \frac{2}{x^2 + 6x + 8}$.

• March 15th 2011, 09:45 PM
pickslides
Try $\displaystyle\frac{1}{x+2}\times \frac{x+4}{x+4}- \frac{1}{x+4}\times \frac{x+2}{x+2}$

Too late, haydos beat me to it.
• March 15th 2011, 09:49 PM
maca404
Thanks for checking my answer, I will go and learn how to use latex.
• March 16th 2011, 02:08 AM
TheChaz
Quote:

Originally Posted by maca404
Thanks for checking my answer, I will go and learn how to use latex.

Rather that reading about LaTex, I suggest using this resource:
Online LaTeX Equation Editor
in which you can instantly see what your output will be, and then copy/paste into MHF.