Is the following statement true?

Question

1/p+q= 1/p + 1/q

please explain why or why not

Answer 1

I THINK YOU MEANT TO SAY does....

1/(p+q) = 1/p + 1/q

NO it doesnt..... imagine p=2 and q=8

1/(2+8) = 1/10

1/2 + 1/8 = 5/8

U UNDERSTAND?

Answer 2

Mick has given you a good example of why 1/(p + q) does NOT equal 1/p + 1/q.  But, he does not explain why.

The reason 1/(p+q) does not equal 1/p + 1/q is because when you add to fractions together such as 1/p and 1/q you must first find a common denominator.  The easiest way to find a common denominator for two different fractions is to MULTIPLY the two different denominators together.  In this case, a common denominator for 1/p and 1/q is pq.  

The statement suggests the common denominator for 1/p and 1/q is found if you ADD the denominators together which is why the statement is false.