Multiplying Rational

Expressions

Topic 8.2.1

1
Lesson
Topic
1.1.1 Multiplying Rational Expressions
8.2.1

California Standard: What it means for you:

13.0 Students add, subtract, multiply, You’ll multiply rational
and divide rational expressions and expressions by factoring
functions. Students solve both
computationally and conceptually and cancelling.
challenging problems by using these
techniques.
Key words:
• rational
• nonzero
• common factor

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Lesson
Topic
1.1.1 Multiplying Rational Expressions
8.2.1

In Section 8.1 you learned about simplifying

rational expressions.

In this Topic you’ll learn to multiply rational expressions,

but then you’ll use the same simplification methods to
express your solutions in their simplest forms.

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Lesson
Topic
1.1.1 Multiplying Rational Expressions
8.2.1

Multiplying by Rational Expressions

Given any nonzero expressions m, c, b, and v:

That is, the product of two rational expressions is the

product of the numerators divided by the product
of the denominators.

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Lesson
Topic
1.1.1 Multiplying Rational Expressions
8.2.1

Multiplying by Rational Expressions

These expressions can often be quite complicated,

so simplify them as much as you can before multiplying.

• First, factor the numerators and denominators

(if possible).

• Then find any factors that are common to both the top
line (the numerator) and the bottom line (the denominator)
and cancel them before multiplying.

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Topic
Multiplying Rational Expressions
8.2.1
Example 1

Simplify
.
Solution

Step 1: Factor the numerators and denominators.

Step 2: Cancel all the common factors and multiply.

1 1 1

= 1 1 1 =
6
Solution follows…
Topic
Multiplying Rational Expressions
8.2.1
Example 2

Multiply and simplify .

Solution
Step 1: Factor the numerators and denominators if possible.

Step 2: Cancel all the common factors and multiply.

1 1 1 1
1
= 1 1 1 1= –
2
7
Solution follows…
Lesson
Topic
1.1.1 Multiplying Rational Expressions
8.2.1
Guided Practice
Multiply and simplify the rational expressions.

1. =

2. =

=
3.

8
Solution follows…
Lesson
Topic
1.1.1 Multiplying Rational Expressions
8.2.1
Guided Practice
Multiply and simplify the rational expressions.

4.

5. =

6.

=
9
Solution follows…
Lesson
Topic
1.1.1 Multiplying Rational Expressions
8.2.1

You can extend this concept to the multiplication

of any number of rational expressions, with any
number of variables.

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Topic
Multiplying Rational Expressions
8.2.1
Example 3

Simplify .

Solution

Factor the numerators and denominators,

and cancel all the common factors and multiply.
1 11 1 1 1

= 1 1 1 1 1 1

= = or
11
Solution follows…
Topic
Multiplying Rational Expressions
8.2.1
Example 4

Simplify .

Solution

Factor the numerators and denominators,

then cancel all the common factors and multiply.
1 1 1 1

= 1 11 1

= or
12
Solution follows…
Lesson
Topic
1.1.1 Multiplying Rational Expressions
8.2.1
Guided Practice
Multiply and simplify the rational expression.

7.

= x–5

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Solution follows…
Lesson
Topic
1.1.1 Multiplying Rational Expressions
8.2.1
Guided Practice
Multiply and simplify the rational expression.

8.

= 2(m + 1) or 2m + 2

14
Solution follows…
Lesson
Topic
1.1.1 Multiplying Rational Expressions
8.2.1
Guided Practice
Multiply and simplify the rational expression.

9.

15
Solution follows…
Topic
Multiplying Rational Expressions
8.2.1
Independent Practice
Multiply and simplify the rational expressions.
1.

2.

3. 1

4.
16
Solution follows…
Topic
Multiplying Rational Expressions
8.2.1
Independent Practice
Multiply and simplify the rational expressions.

5.

6.

7.

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Solution follows…
Topic
Multiplying Rational Expressions
8.2.1

Round Up

Usually the most difficult thing when solving

problems like these is factoring the numerators
and denominators.
Look for “difference of two squares”
expressions, perfect squares, and minus signs
that you can factor outside the parentheses.

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