CHAPTER 12

A _______________ _______________ is a number that can be written as the quotients of two integers,
such as

1 4
2, 3 , and

7
1 .

A ________ __________________ is a fraction whose numerator and denominator are nonzero

polynomials.

ac a c
=
bc b c

a
b

Simplify the rational expression if possible.

a)

14 x
7

d)

5x
40 x3

b)

6x
9 x2

c)

3 x2
=
6 x2

When you simplify rational expressions, you can divide out only factors, not terms.
x 4
x+ 4
=4 but
cannot be simplified
x
x

1.

2x
2( x+5)

2.

x (x 2 +6)
x2

3.

Simplify the expression. If not possible, write already in simplest form.

On your own:

x+4
x

3 x3
6 x2

4)

5)
7)

3m
3 (m4 )

6)

x ( x +3)
x

5
n+5

Factor the Numerator and the Denominator

Now we have to factor to get our answer!
2

2 x 6
a) 6 x 2

d)

4 m3
3
2
2 m +8 m

b)

e)

2 x6
4

c)

p3 p 2
2
p

Last but not leastRecognize Opposite Factors!!

f)

5x
2
10 x 5 x

5 x +3
x +3

(yaaay!)

Factor the top..factor the bottomcancel out common factors . DOP2S and
Diamond where you can!

x 24
x 2x2

2 x +5
8 x +20
x 2 +3 x28
x 216

*The rules for multiplying and dividing rational expressions are the same as
multiplying and dividing fractions*
-when multiplying; multiply the top, multiply the bottom then simplify
(or cross cancel, then multiply the top and the bottom)
Examples:
1.

3.

3 x3 8 x

4 x 15 x 4

12 x 2 25 x 4

5 x3 3 x

y3 4 y2

2 y2 6

2.

4.

3 x 8 x3

8 x2 3 x4

5.

x 21 2 x

x
3 x 3

Tie it all together.

*The rules for dividing rational expressions are the same as multiplying and
dividing fractions*
- KEEP, SWITCH, FLIP
Then, when multiplying; multiply the top, multiply the bottom then simplify
(or cross cancel, then multiply the top and the bottom)

1.

2.

x 29
( x3)
4 x2

x +1
(2 x +2)
x +2

keep , switch flip

3.

x 24
(4 x 8)
x +2

4.

x
2x

82 x 4x

5.

4 x 225
(2 x5)
4x