To write this sum as a single fraction we need to put both of them over a common denominator. Our common denominator will be the simplest thing that has both 3 and 5 as a factor, which is 15 (x-2)/3 + (x+3)/5 = 5(x-2)/15 + 3(x+3)/15 Now we can put both numerators over the same denominator to get (5(x-2) + 3(x+3))/15 Next we should multiply out and simplify the numerator (5(x-2) + 3(x+3))/15 = (5x -10 +3x +9)/15 = (8x-1)/15