ALGEBRAIC

FRACTIONS
Please watch the following videos

https://members.gcsepod.com/shared/podcasts/title/10187/62431

Remember to take notes (Solve examples given in the video)

Starter:
◦ Simplify the following:

1) =

2) =

3) =
Try solving these questions:
Check your answers:
More examples:- (HINT: refer to starter questions)
◦ Step 1: Factorise each equation
◦ Simplify the following:

1) = ◦ Step 2: Cancel out any common

factor (brackets or terms) from
numerator against denominator

2) = = ◦ Step 3: Write the final answer.

Try solving these questions:
Check your answers:
 Index laws
Here is a summary of the index laws.

xm × xn = x(m + n)

xm ÷ xn = x(m – n)

(xm)n = xmn

x1 = x

x0 = 1 (for x = 0)
◦ Step 1: Factorise each equation

◦ Step 2: Cancel out any common factor (brackets or terms) from numerator against denominator

◦ Step 3: Write the final answer.

Please watch the following videos

◦ https://members.gcsepod.com/shared/podcasts/title/10187/62437

◦ https://members.gcsepod.com/shared/podcasts/title/10187/62432

◦ https://members.gcsepod.com/shared/podcasts/title/10187/62435
Please watch the following videos

https://members.gcsepod.com/shared/podcasts/title/10187/62439

Remember to take notes (Solve examples given in the video)

 Algebraic fractions
3x 2a
and are examples of algebraic fractions.
4x2 3a + 2

The rules that apply to numerical fractions also apply to algebraic fractions.

For example, if we multiply or divide the numerator and the denominator of a fraction by
the same number or term we produce an equivalent fraction.

For example,

3x 3 6
= =
4x 2
4x 8x
Simplifying algebraic fractions
We simplify or cancel algebraic fractions in the same way as numerical fractions, by
dividing the numerator and the denominator by common factors. For example,

6ab
Simplify
3ab2

2
6ab 6×a×b
=
3ab 2
3×a×b×b

2
=
b
Solve the following equivalent algebraic fractions example:
Solve the following equivalent algebraic fractions example:
×𝟓 ÷𝟓𝒂 ×𝐳

×𝟐 ÷𝟐𝒛 ×𝟓𝑧2
Simplifying algebraic fractions
Sometimes we need to factorize the numerator and the denominator before we can simplify
an algebraic fraction. For example,

Simplify 2a + a2

8 + 4a

2a + a2 a (2 + a)
=
8 + 4a 4(2 + a)

a
=
4
Simplifying algebraic fractions
b2 – 36 is the
difference between b2 – 36
Simplify
two squares. 3b – 18

b2 – 36 (b + 6)(b – 6)
=
3b – 18 3(b – 6)

b+6
=
3
If required, we can write this as

b 6 b
+ = + 2
3 3 3
 Adding algebraic fractions
We can add algebraic fractions using the same method that we use for numerical fractions.
For example,

1 2
What is + ?
a b

We need to write the fractions over a common denominator before we can add them.

1 2 b 2a b + 2a
+ = + =
a b ab ab ab
In general,

a c ad + bc
+ =
b d bd
 Adding algebraic fractions
3 y
What is + ?
x 2
We need to write the fractions over a common denominator before we can add them.

3 y 3×2 y×x
+ = +
x 2 x×2 2×x

6 xy
= +
2x 2x

6 + xy
=
2x
 Subtracting algebraic fractions
We can also subtract algebraic fractions using the same method as we use for numerical
fractions. For example,

p q
What is – ?
3 2

We need to write the fractions over a common denominator before we can subtract them.

p q 2p 3q 2p – 3q
– = – =
3 2 6 6 6
In general,

a c ad – bc
– =
b d bd
Subtracting algebraic fractions
2+p – 3
What is ?
4 2q

2+p 3 (2 + p) × 2q 3×4
– = –
4 2q 4 × 2q 2q × 4

2q(2 + p) 12
= –
8q 8q

2q(2 + p) – 12 6
=
8q
4
q(2 + p) – 6
=
4q
Textbook Examples:
Textbook Examples:
 Try solving these questions:
Some questions were already solved in the starter
 Try solving these questions:
Some questions were already solved in the starter
Check your answers:
More Questions from the textbook
More Questions from the textbook