Answer :

Sure, let's find the sum of the two fractions step by step.

Given the expression:
[tex]\[ \frac{3}{x^2 - 9} + \frac{5}{x + h} \][/tex]

First, observe the denominators. Notice that [tex]\(x^2 - 9\)[/tex] can be factored.

[tex]\[ x^2 - 9 = (x - 3)(x + 3) \][/tex]

So, the first fraction becomes:
[tex]\[ \frac{3}{(x - 3)(x + 3)} \][/tex]

We seek a common denominator for the two fractions. The denominators are [tex]\((x - 3)(x + 3)\)[/tex] and [tex]\(x + h\)[/tex]. The least common denominator (LCD) will be the product of these distinct linear factors:

[tex]\[ \text{LCD} = (x - 3)(x + 3)(x + h) \][/tex]

Next, we rewrite each fraction with the LCD as the combined denominator.

Rewrite the first fraction:
[tex]\[ \frac{3}{(x - 3)(x + 3)} = \frac{3(x + h)}{(x - 3)(x + 3)(x + h)} \][/tex]

Rewrite the second fraction:
[tex]\[ \frac{5}{x + h} = \frac{5(x - 3)(x + 3)}{(x + h)(x - 3)(x + 3)} \][/tex]

Now, add the two fractions with their new denominators:
[tex]\[ \frac{3(x + h)}{(x - 3)(x + 3)(x + h)} + \frac{5(x - 3)(x + 3)}{(x - 3)(x + 3)(x + h)} \][/tex]

Combine the numerators over the common denominator:
[tex]\[ \frac{3(x + h) + 5(x - 3)(x + 3)}{(x - 3)(x + 3)(x + h)} \][/tex]

Simplify the numerator:
[tex]\[ 3(x + h) + 5(x^2 - 9) \][/tex]

[tex]\[3(x + h) + 5(x^2 - 9) = 3x + 3h + 5x^2 - 45\][/tex]

Finally, the sum of the fractions is:
[tex]\[ \frac{3}{x^2 - 9} + \frac{5}{x + h} = \frac{3(x + h) + 5(x^2 - 9)}{(x - 3)(x + 3)(x + h)} = \frac{3 + 5(x - 3)(x + 3)}{(x - 3)(x + 3)(x + h)} \][/tex]
Thus, the sum of the fractions is:
[tex]\[ \boxed{\frac{3}{x^2 - 9} + \frac{5}{x + h}} \][/tex]

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