Decompose the Expression: Factoring (ab/cd²) + (a²b/c²d) + (ab²/cd³)

Look at the denominators after factoring out variables. If you see patterns like $cd^2$, $c^2d$, and $cd^3$, they all contain cd as a common factor!

These fractions have different denominators, so you can't add them without finding a common denominator first. Factoring is often easier and gives a cleaner final answer.

Factoring out just $ab$ leaves messy fractions inside parentheses. Factoring out $\frac{ab}{cd}$ creates simpler terms like $\frac{1}{d}$ and $\frac{a}{c}$.

Multiply your factored form back out! $\frac{ab}{cd} \cdot \frac{1}{d} = \frac{ab}{cd^2}$ should match the first term of the original expression.

Yes! Always factor out the greatest common factor to get the simplest possible form. This makes the expression easier to work with in future calculations.