adding and subtracting rational expressions problem

[sweetcaroline]

I've tried to work this problem several times with no luck. Can anyone help?

"Simplify.

36p^2 ,,,+,,,,,,, 3p + q - 3p - q
9p^2 - q^2 ,,,,,,3p - q ,,,3p + q "

I'm sorry if the spacing is messed up, but I wasn't sure how to type it correctly. This (^2) means squared, by the way, I wasn't sure how to do that.

The correct answer to this problem is 12p/3p-q. (12p over 3p-q).

Can anyone help me figure out how to get there?

 

[stapel]

I'm sorry if the spacing is messed up, but I wasn't sure how to type it correctly.

Fortunately, the Admin anticipated this problem, and has provided links to formatting information. Please review the "Read Before Posting" link, and follow one of the links in the "Preview or edit your posts for clarity" paragraph.

Once you have learned how to format clearly, please reply with corrections or confirmation of my guess as to your meaning, which is as follows:

. . . . .\(\displaystyle \L \mbox{Simplify }\, \frac{36p^2}{9p^2\, -\, q^2}\, +\, \frac{3p\, +\, q}{3p\, -\, q}\, -\, \frac{3p\, -\, q}{3p\, +\, q}\)

When you reply, please show everything you have tried so far. You factored the first denominator, you found the common denominator for all three fractions, you converted the fractions to the common denominator, you added, and... then what?

Please be specific. Thank you!

Eliz.

 

[Denis]

And, since 9p^2 - q^2 = (3p + q)(3p - q), you should be able to do this.