Add and Simplify

Question

Add and simplify:

7x/ (y^5z^4) + 4/ (y^4z^2)

Answer 1

For this type of problem, you first want to find a common denominator. The first denominator has 5 y's and 4 z's, while the second has 4 y's and 2 z's. That means the least common denominator contains 5 y's and 4 z's. The first denominator need not be changed; just multiply the second fraction by yz² so its denominator will be y⁵z⁴:

 

(7x) / (y⁵z⁴) + (4yz²) / (y⁵z⁴)

 

Now, add the numerators:

 

(7x+4yz²) / (y⁵z⁴)

 

There are no common factors in the numerator and denominator, so this is the expression's simplest form.