Multiplying Rational

Expressions
 The learner performs operations on
rational algebraic expressions.
(M8AL-Ic-d-1)

A. Recall multiplication of rational number

B. Multiply Rational Expressions
 MASTERY of the DIFFERENT
FACTORING METHODS

1. Common Monomial Factoring (CMF)

2. Difference of 2 Squares
3. Sum/Difference of 2 Cubes
4. Perfect Square Trinomial
5. General Trinomial x  bx  c
2

ax  bx  c
2
 Now you will multiply
rational expressions involving more
factoring.

The rules for multiplying

expressions are the same as the rules
of multiplying fractions.
 10 30
Multiply : 
12 20
1
5 10 30 3

2 6 12 20 2

5

4
 10 30
Multiply : 
12 20
5 2 2 35

223 225

5

4
 STEPS:

1. Factor completely the numerators

and the denominators of both rational
expression, if possible.
2. Cancel the common factors then
combine by multiplying.
 3 2
4 x y 3 xy
Multiply : 2
 2
6 xy 2y
2 3 2
4 x y 3 xy
2
 2
3 6 xy 2y y
3
x

y
 3 2
4 x y 3 xy
Multiply : 2
 2
6 xy 2y
2  2  x  x  x  y  y 3 x  y

2 3 x  y  y 2y  y
3
x

y
 4m  9 2m  3
2
Multiply : 
4m  6 4m  12m  9
2

Diff. of 2 Squares Prime

4m  92
2m  3

CMF
4m  6 4m  12m  9
2

PST

(2m  3)(2m  3) 2m  3 1
 
2(2m  3) (2m  3)(2m  3) 2
 p 4p  4 p  2p  4
2 2
Multiply : 
p 8
3
p2
Prime
PST 2
p 4p  4 p  2p  4
2

Diff. of 2 Cubes p  8 p  2 Prime
3

( p  2)( p  2) p  2p  4
2

( p  2)( p  2 p  4)
2
p2
p2

p2
 2 x  12 x 3 x  17 x  6
2 2
Multiply : 
x6 x  36
2

CMF GT
2 x  12 x 3 x  17 x  6
2 2

Prime x  6 x  36
2
Difference of 2 Square

2 x( x  6) ( x  6)(3 x  1) 2 x(3x  1)
 
x6 ( x  6)( x  6) x6
 ACTIVITY 
Multiply.
4 5
15m n 14m
1.) 4
x
12mn 3n
y2  6 y  5 y  5
2.) x
y  25
2
y 1

6 xy  3 xy x  3 x  2
2 2
3.) x
x 4
2
12 xy
Answers 

4
35m
1.)
6
y 5
2.)
y5

( x  1)
3.)
4
 Dividing
Rational Expressions
 The learner performs operations on
rational algebraic expressions.
(M8AL-Ic-d-1)

A. Recall division of rational number

B. Divide Rational Expressions
 Now you will divide
rational expressions involving more
factoring.

The rules for dividing

expressions are the same as the rules
of dividing fractions.
 3 9
Divide :  reciprocal
10 16
1 8
3 16

5 10 9 3

8

15
 18
Divide : 6 reciprocal
25
3
18 1

25 6 1

3

25
 STEPS:
1. Get the reciprocal of the second
Rational expression (RE).
2. Follow the steps in multiplying RE.
a. Factor completely the numerators
and the denominators of both rational
expression, if possible.
b. Cancel the common factors then
combine by multiplying.
 5 2 5
12m n 24m
Divide :  2
reciprocal
5mn 25n
n 5
1 5 2 2
12m n 25n
 5
1 5mn 2 24m

3
5n

2m
 x 1 2
15 x
Divide : 2  reciprocal
x  2 x  1 3x  3
Diff. of 2 Squares
x 12
3 x  3 CMF

PST x  2 x  1 15 x Prime
2

1
( x  1)( x  1) 3( x  1) x 1
 
( x  1)( x  1) 5 15 x 5x
 2 y  16
3
3 y  y  14
2
Divide : 2  reciprocal
y  2y  4 4y 2

CMF2 y 3  16 4 y 2 Prime
 2
Prime y  2 y  4 3 y  y  14 GT
2

Diff. of
2( y 3  8) 4 y2
2 Cubes

y  2 y  4 ( y  2)(3 y  7)
2

2( y  2)( y 2  2 y  4) 4 y2 8 y 2
 
y  2y  4
2
( y  2)(3 y  7) 3y  7
 ACTIVITY 
Divide.
5 20
1.) 2 
x 4 x2
x 2  3x  2 x  1
2.) 
x 4
2
x2

x  8x  7 x  1
2 2
3.) 
2 x  14 4
Answers 

1
1.)
4( x  2)

2.) 1

2
3.)
x 1