Asked by Kayla
                When subtracting 1 rational expression from another, when I'm multiplying the top & bottom of the first term by the denominator in the second term is that number automatically negative because the whole term is being subtracted? 
ex:
(8a-3b)/7a - (2a+5b)/4b
is the 4b negative when I multiply the first term by it?
Thanks a ton! :) ♡
            
        ex:
(8a-3b)/7a - (2a+5b)/4b
is the 4b negative when I multiply the first term by it?
Thanks a ton! :) ♡
Answers
                    Answered by
            bobpursley
            
    No.  However you could do it that way, but that changes the sign of the second part of the numerator, as well as the first term.  
What you are fundamentally forgetting, that you are not multiplying the numerator in the first term: you are multiplying the first term by (4x/4x). Doing that makes a common denominator 28ax, and of course, you multiply the second term by (7a/7a)...
    
What you are fundamentally forgetting, that you are not multiplying the numerator in the first term: you are multiplying the first term by (4x/4x). Doing that makes a common denominator 28ax, and of course, you multiply the second term by (7a/7a)...
                    Answered by
            Damon
            
    no
actually you are multiplying first by 4b/4b
and the second by
7a/7a
so
(4b/4b)[(8a-3b)/7a]-(7a/7a)[(2a+5b)/4b]
={4b[(8a-3b)]-7a[(2a+5b)]} /28ab
    
actually you are multiplying first by 4b/4b
and the second by
7a/7a
so
(4b/4b)[(8a-3b)/7a]-(7a/7a)[(2a+5b)/4b]
={4b[(8a-3b)]-7a[(2a+5b)]} /28ab
                    Answered by
            Kayla
            
    Ok, thank you :) 
    
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