Precalculus (6th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 013421742X
ISBN 13: 978-0-13421-742-0

Chapter R - Review of Basic Concepts - R.5 Rational Expressions - R.5 Exercises - Page 54: 55

Answer

$\color{blue}{\dfrac{a-b}{a^2}}$

Work Step by Step

The expressions are not similar since they have different denominators. Make the expressions similar using their LCD which is $a^2$ to obtain: $=\dfrac{1\color{red}{(a)}}{a\color{red}{(a)}}-\dfrac{b}{a^2} \\=\dfrac{a}{a^2}-\dfrac{b}{a^2} \\=\color{blue}{\dfrac{a-b}{a^2}}$
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