Simplifying

Multiplying and Dividing

Rational Expressions
Remember that a rational number
can be expressed as a quotient of
two integers. A rational expression
can be expressed as a quotient of
two polynomials.
Remember, denominators
can not = 0.
Now,lets go through the steps to
simplify a rational expression.
Examples of rational expressions
2
4 8 4 7
, ,
3 3 5 9
x y
x x y y


Simplify:
7x 7
x
2
1
Step 1: Factor the numerator and
the denominator completely looking
for common factors.
7x 7 = 7(x 1)
x
2
1 = (x +1)(x 1)
Next

7x 7
x
2
1
=
7(x 1)
(x +1)(x 1)
What is the common factor?
x 1
Step 2: Divide the numerator and
denominator by the common factor.

7(x 1)
(x + 1)(x 1)
=
7(x 1)
(x + 1)(x 1)
1
1
Step 3: Multiply to get your answer.
Answer:
7
x +1
Looking at the answer from the
previous example, what value of x
would make the denominator 0?
x= -1
The expression is undefined when the
values make the denominator equal to 0
How do I find the values
that make an expression
undefined?
Completely factor the original
denominator.
Ex:
2ab(a 2)(b + 3)
3ab(a
2
4)
3ab(a
2
4) = 3ab(a+ 2)(a 2)
The expression is undefined when:
a= 0, 2, and -2 and b= 0.
Factor the denominator
Lets go through another example.
3a
3
a
4
2a
3
6a
2
3a
3
a
4
2a
3
6a
2
=
a
3
(3 a)
2a
2
(a 3)
Factor
out the
GCF
Next
3
2
2 ( 3)
(3 ) a
a a
a

3 factored is 1( 3) a a
cancel like factors
3
2
1 ( 3)
2 ( 3)
a a
a a

1
1
3
2
1( 3)
2 ( 3)
a
a a
a

3
2
1
2
a
a

2
cancel out the like factor a
1
2
a
1
a
answer
What values is the original expression undefined?
Now try to do some on your own.
2
2
3 2
3 2
5 6
1)
9
5 10
2)
6 16
x x
x
x x
x x x

Also find the values that make
each expression undefined?
Remember how to multiply fractions:
First you multiply the numerators
then multiply the denominators.
5 2
:
6 20
Ex
10 1
120 12

5 2
6 20

The same method can be used
to multiply rational expressions.
Ex:
4a
2
5ab
3

3bc
12a
3
=
4 a a3bc
5ab b b 12 aa a
1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1
=
c
5b
2
a
2
Lets do another one.
Ex:
x
3
+ 3x
2
x
2
+ 5x 6

x
2
10x + 9
x
2
6x 27
Step #1: Factor the numerator
and the denominator.
x
2
(x + 3)
(x + 6)(x 1)

(x 1)(x 9)
(x 9)(x +3)
Next
Step #2: Divide the numerator and
denominator by the common factors.
x
2
(x + 3)
(x + 6)(x 1)

(x 1)(x 9)
(x 9)(x +3)
1
1
1
1
1
1
Step #3: Multiply the numerator
and the denominator.
x
2
x + 6
Remember how to divide fractions?
Multiply by the reciprocal of the
divisor. 4
5

16
25
=
4
5

25
16
=
4 25
516
1
1
5
4
=
5
4
Dividing rational expressions uses
the same procedure.
Ex: Simplify
y + 2
y
2
+10 y 24

y
2
+ 2y
y
2
+ 2y 8
y + 2
y
2
+10 y 24

y
2
+ 2y
y
2
+ 2y 8
=
y + 2
y
2
+10 y 24

y
2
+ 2y 8
y
2
+ 2y
=
y + 2
(y +12)(y 2)

(y + 4)(y 2)
y(y + 2)
=
1
1
1
1
Next
4
( 12)
y
y y

Now you try to simplify the

expression:
x 3
x
2
+ 4x 12

2x
2
6x
x 2
Answer:
1
2x(x + 6)
Now try these on your own.
1)
x + 3
2x
3
2x
2

x
2
7x + 6
x
2
+10x + 21
2)
3x + 6
7x 7

5x +10
14x +14
Here are the answers:
1)
x 6
2x
2
(x + 7)
2)
6(x +1)
5(x 1)