5.

4 Multiplying and Dividing

Algebraic Fractions
5.4 OBJECTIVES
1. Write the product of two algebraic fractions in
simplest form
2. Write the quotient of two algebraic fractions in
simplest form
3. Simplify a complex fraction by the method of
common denominators

In arithmetic, you found the product of two fractions by multiplying the numerators and the
denominators. For example,

2 3 23 6
  
5 7 57 35

In symbols, we have

Rules and Properties: Multiplying Algebraic Fractions

NOTE P, Q, R, and S again P R PR
represent polynomials.   when Q 0 and S 0
Q S QS

It is easier to divide the numerator and denominator by any common factors before multi-
plying. Consider the following.
1 1
NOTE Divide by the common 3 4 3  4 1
factors of 3 and 4. The   
8 9 8  9 6
alternative is to multiply first: 2 3
3 4 12
  In algebra, we multiply fractions in exactly the same way.
8 9 72
and then use the GCF to reduce
to lowest terms
12 1 Step by Step: To Multiply Algebraic Fractions

72 6
Step 1 Factor the numerators and denominators.
Step 2 Divide the numerator and denominator by any common factors.
Step 3 Write the product of the remaining factors in the numerator over the
product of the remaining factors in the denominator.

Example 1 illustrates this property.

© 2001 McGraw-Hill Companies

Example 1
Multiplying Algebraic Fractions

Multiply the following fractions.

2x3 10y 2x3  10y 4x

NOTE Divide by the common (a) 2  2  2 
factors of 5, x2, and y. 5y 3x 5y  3x
2
3y

423
424 CHAPTER 5 ALGEBRAIC FRACTIONS

x 6x  18 x 6(x  3)
(b)   
x2  3x 9x x(x  3) 9x
1 2 1 Factor
NOTE Divide by the common x  6(x  3)
factors of 3, x, and x  3. 
(x
x  3)  9x
1 1 3
2

3x

4 10  5x 4 5(2  x)
(c)   
x2  2x 8 x(x  2) 8
1 1
NOTE 4  5(2  x) 5
 
2x

(x  2)
 1
x(x  2)  8 2x
x2 x2 1 2

1 2
x2  2x  8 6x (x  4)(x  2) 6x
NOTE Divide by the common (d)   
factors of x  4, x, and 3. 3x2
3x  12 3x 2
3(x  4)
x 1

2(x  2)

3x
1 1 2
x2  y2 10xy (x  y)(x  y) 10 xy
(e)   
5x  5y x2  2xy  y2 5(x  y) (x  y) (x  y)
1 1 1

2xy

xy

CHECK YOURSELF 1
Multiply.

3x2 10y5 5x  15 2x2 x 3x  x2

(a)  (b)  2 (c) 
5y2 15x3 x x  3x 2x  6 2
3x  15 2x x  5x  14
2
8x
(d)  2 (e)  2
6x 2
x  25 4x2
x  49

You can also use your experience from arithmetic in dividing fractions. Recall that, to
divide fractions, we invert the divisor (the second fraction) and multiply. For example,
6 2 5 2 6 26 4
NOTE Recall, is the reciprocal     
5 3 6 3 5 35 5
5
of .
6 In symbols, we have
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Rules and Properties: Dividing Algebraic Fractions

NOTE Once more P, Q, R, and S P R P S PS
are polynomials.    
Q S Q R QR
when Q 0, R 0, and S 0.

Division of algebraic fractions is done in exactly the same way.

 MULTIPLYING AND DIVIDING ALGEBRAIC FRACTIONS SECTION 5.4 425

Step by Step: To Divide Algebraic Fractions

Step 1 Invert the divisor and change the operation to multiplication.
Step 2 Proceed, using the steps for multiplying algebraic fractions.

Example 2 illustrates this approach.

Example 2
Dividing Algebraic Fractions

Divide the following.

6 9 6 x3
(a) 2  3  2  Invert the divisor and multiply.
x x x 9
2 x
6x
3
No simplification can be done until the

9x2 divisor is inverted. Then divide by the
3 1 common factors of 3 and x2.
2x

3
3x2y 9x3 3x2y 4y4
(b) 3  4  
8xy 4y 8xy3 9x3
y2

6x2
2x  4y 4x  8y 2x  4y 3x  6y
(c)   
9x  18y 3x  6y 9x  18y 4x  8y
1 1 1 1
NOTE Factor all numerators 2(x  2y)  3(x  2y)
and denominators before 
9 (x  2y)  4(x  2y)
dividing out any common 3 1 2 1
factors.
1

6

x2  x  6 x2  4 x2  x  6 4x2
(d)   
2x  6 4x2 2x  6 x2  4
1 1 2
(x  3)(x  2)  4x2

2(x  3)  (x  2)(x  2)
1 1 1
2
2x

x2
© 2001 McGraw-Hill Companies

CHECK YOURSELF 2
Divide.

4 12 5xy2 10y2
(a)  3 (b) 3 
x5 x 7x y 14x3
3x  9y x2  3xy x2  9 x2  2x  15
(c)  (d) 
2x  10y 4x  20y 4x 2x  10
426 CHAPTER 5 ALGEBRAIC FRACTIONS

Before we continue, let’s review why the invert-and-multiply rule works for dividing
fractions. We will use an example from arithmetic for the explanation. Suppose that we
want to divide as follows:
3 2
 (1)
5 3
We can write
3 3 3

3 2 5 5 2
   We are multiplying by 1.
5 3 2 2 3
 
(1) 3 3 2
3 3
Interpret the 
5 2
division as a 
fraction. 1
2 3
 1
3 2

3 3
 
5 2 (2)

We then have
1 2
3 2 3 3
  
5 3 5 2
Comparing expressions (1) and (2), you should see the rule for dividing fractions. Invert the
fraction that follows the division symbol and multiply.
A fraction that has a fraction in its numerator, in its denominator, or in both is called a
complex fraction. For example, the following are complex fractions

5 4 a2
6 x 3
and
3 3 a2
4 x2 5
Remember that we can always multiply the numerator and the denominator of a fraction
by the same nonzero term.

NOTE This is the Fundamental P PR

Principle of Fractions.
 in which Q 0 and R 0
Q QR
To simplify a complex fraction, multiply the numerator and denominator by the LCD of all
fractions that appear within the complex fraction.
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Example 3
Simplifying Complex Fractions

3
4
Simplify .
5
8
 MULTIPLYING AND DIVIDING ALGEBRAIC FRACTIONS SECTION 5.4 427

3 5
The LCD of and is 8. So multiply the numerator and denominator by 8.
4 8
3 3
8
4 4 32 6
  
5 5 51 5
8
8 8

CHECK YOURSELF 3
Simplify.

4 3
7 8
(a) (b)
3 5
7 6

The same method can be used to simplify a complex fraction when variables are
involved in the expression. Consider Example 4.

Example 4
Simplifying Complex Algebraic Fractions

5
x
Simplify .
10
x2
5 10
The LCD of and 2 is x2, so multiply the numerator and denominator by x2.
x x
5 5
¢ ≤x2
NOTE Be sure to write the x x 5x x
result in simplest form.   
10 10 2 10 2
¢ 2 ≤x
x2 x

CHECK YOURSELF 4
Simplify.
© 2001 McGraw-Hill Companies

6 m4
x3 15
(a) (b)
9 m3
x2 20

We may also have a sum or a difference in the numerator or denominator of a complex

fraction. The simplification steps are exactly the same. Consider Example 5.
428 CHAPTER 5 ALGEBRAIC FRACTIONS

Example 5
Simplifying Complex Algebraic Fractions

x
1
y
Simplify .
x
1
y
x x
The LCD of 1, , 1, and is y, so multiply the numerator and denominator by y.
y y
NOTE Notice the use of the x x x
distributive property to multiply 1 ¢1  ≤y 1y y
y y y
each term in the numerator  
and in the denominator by y. x x x
1 ¢1  ≤y 1y y
y y y
yx

yx

CHECK YOURSELF 5
Simplify.

x
2
y
x
2
y

A second method for simplifying complex fractions uses the fact that
NOTE To divide by a fraction, P
we invert the divisor (it follows
Q P R P S
the division sign) and multiply.    
R Q S Q R
S
To use this method, we must write the numerator and denominator of the complex fraction
as single fractions. We can then divide the numerator by the denominator as before.
The following algorithm summarizes our work with simplifying complex fractions.

Step by Step: To Simplify Complex Fractions

Step 1 Multiply the numerator and denominator of the complex fraction by
the LCD of all the fractions that appear within the complex fraction.
Step 2 Write the resulting fraction in simplest form.
© 2001 McGraw-Hill Companies

CHECK YOURSELF ANSWERS

2y3 x2 1 2(x  2)
1. (a) ; (b) 10; (c) ; (d) ; (e)
5x 4 x(x  5) x(x  7)
1 x 6 x3
2. (a) 2 ; (b) ; (c) ; (d)
3x y x 2x
4 9 2 4m x  2y
3. (a) ; (b) 4. (a) ; (b) 5.
3 20 3x 3 x  2y
 Name

5.4 Exercises Section Date

Multiply.
ANSWERS
3 14 9 5
1.  2. 
7 27 20 36
1.

2.
x y w 5
3.  4. 
2 6 2 14
3.

4.
3a 4 5x3 9
5.  6. 
2 a2 3x 20x 5.

6.
3 2 5 2
3x y 5xy 8xy 15y
7.  8. 3 2  7.
10xy3 9xy2 5x y 16xy3

8.

4ab2 25ab 7xy2 24x3y5

9.  10.  9.
15a3 16b3 12x2y 21x2y7

10.

3m3n 5mn2 3x x2  3x 11.

11.  12. 
10mn3 9mn3 2x  6 6
12.

x2  5x 10x x2  3x  10 15x2 13.

13.  14. 
3x2
5x  25 5x 3x  15
14.

15.
p2  8p 12p2 a2  81 5a2
15.  2 16. 2  2
4p p  64 a  9a a  7a  18 16.
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17.
m  4m  21 m  7m
2 2
2x  x  3 3x  11x  20
2 2
17.  2 18. 
3m2 m  49 3x2  7x  4 4x2  9 18.

19.
4r  1 2
3r  13r  10
2
a  ab 2
4a  9b2 2
19.  20. 2 
2r  9r  5
2
9r2  4 2a  ab  3b 5a2  4ab
2
20.

429
ANSWERS

21. x2  4y2 7x2  21xy a2  9b2 6a2  12ab

21. 2  22. 2 
x  xy  6y
2
5x  10y a  ab  6b
2
7a  21b
22.

23. 2x  6 3x 3x  15 4x
23.  24. 
x2  2x 3  x x2  3x 5  x
24.

25.
Divide.

26.
5 15 4 12
25.  26. 
8 16 9 18
27.

28.

5 10 w2 w
29. 27. 2  28. 
x x 3 9

30.

31. 4x2y2 8y2 8x3y 16x3y

29. 3  30. 3 
9x 27xy 27xy 45y
32.

33.
3x  6 5x  10 x2  2x 6x  12
31.  32. 
8 6 4x 8
34.

35.
4a  12 8a2 6p  18 3p  9
33.  2 34.  2
36. 5a  15 a  3a 9p p  2p

37.

x2  2x  8 x2  16 16x 4x  24
35.  36.  2
38. 9x2 3x  12 4x  16
2
x  4x  12
© 2001 McGraw-Hill Companies

39.

x2  9 2x2  5x  3 2m2  5m  7 5m2  5m

40. 37.  38. 
2x  6x
2
4x2  1 4m  9
2
2m2  3m

a2  9b2 a2  ab  6b2 r2  2rs  15s2 r2  9s2

39.  40. 
4a  12ab
2
12ab r  5r s
3 2
5r3

430
 ANSWERS

x2  16y2 p2  4pq  21q2 41.

41.  (x2  4xy) 42.  (2p2  6pq)
3x2  12xy 4p  28q
42.
x7 21  3x x4 16  4x
43.  2 44. 2 
2x  6 x  3x x  2x 3x  6
43.

Perform the indicated operations. 44.

45.
x  2x  8
2
x  5x
2
x  2x  15
2
45.  2 
2x  8 x  5x  6 x2  9 46.

14x  7 x2  6x  8 x2  2x 47.
46.  2  2
x  3x  4 2x  5x  3
2
x  2x  3
48.
x  5x
2
x 4
2
6x
47.  
3x  6 3x2  15x x2  6x  8 49.

m2  n2 6m 8m  4n 50.
48.  2 
m  mn 2m  mn  n 12m2  12mn
2 2

51.
Simplify each complex fraction.
52.
2 5
3 6
49. 50. 53.
6 10
8 15
54.
1 3
1 1
2 4
51. 52. 55.
1 1
2 2
4 8
56.
2
x m
8 10 57.
53. 2 54.
x m3
4 15 58.
© 2001 McGraw-Hill Companies

3 6
a x2
55. 56.
2 9
a2 x3

y1 w3
y 4w
57. 58.
y1 w3
2y 2w

431
ANSWERS

1 1
59. 2 3
x a
59. 60.
1 1
60. 2 3
x a

61. x x
3 2
y y
61. 62.
62. 6 4
y y

63. x2 a
1 2
y2 b
63. 64. 2
64. x a
1 4
y b2
65. 3 4 2 8
1 2 1 2
x x r r
65. 66.
66. 2 3 1 6
1  2 1  2
x x r r
67.
2 1 1 2
 
x xy xy x
68. 67. 68.
1 2 3 1
 
xy y y xy
69.
2 3
1 1
x1 a2
70. 69. 70.
3 2
1 1
x1 a2
71.
1 1
1 1
72.
y1 x2
71. 72.
8 18
y x
y2 x3
73.

1 1
74. 73. 1  74. 1 
1 1
1 1
x y

75. 2
75. Ecology. Herbicides constitute of all pesticides used in the United States.
3
1
Insecticides are of all pesticides used in the United States. The ratio of herbicides
76.
© 2001 McGraw-Hill Companies

4
2 1
to insecticides used in the United States can be written  . Write this ratio in
3 4
simplest form.
1
76. Ecology. Fungicides account for of the pesticides used in the United States.
10
1
Insecticides account for of all the pesticides used in the United States. The ratio of
4
1 1
fungicides to insecticides used in the United States can be written  . Write this
10 4
ratio in simplest form.

432
 ANSWERS

77. Ecology. The ratio of insecticides to herbicides applied to wheat, soybeans, corn, and
7 4
cotton can be expressed as  . Simplify this ratio. 77.
10 5

78.
78. Find the area of the rectangle shown.
79.
2x  4
x1
80.
3x  2
x2

81.

79. Find the area of the rectangle shown.

4x  5
x3

2x  6
12x  15

80. Electricity. The combined resistance of two resistors R1 and R2 in parallel is given
by the formula

1
RT 
1 1

R1 R2

Simplify the formula.

81. Complex fractions have some interesting patterns. Work with a partner to evaluate
each complex fraction in the sequence below. This is an interesting sequence of
fractions because the numerators and denominators are a famous sequence of whole
numbers, and the fractions get closer and closer to a number called “the golden
mean.”

1 1 1 1
1, 1 , 1 , 1 , 1 ,
1 1 1 1
1 1 1
1 1 1
1 1
© 2001 McGraw-Hill Companies

1 1
1
1
, , , , , , ,

After you have evaluated these first five, you no doubt will see a pattern in the
resulting fractions that allows you to go on indefinitely without having to evaluate
more complex fractions. Write each of these fractions as decimals. Write your
observations about the sequence of fractions and about the sequence of decimal
fractions.

433
ANSWERS

a.

Getting Ready for Section 5.5 [Section 2.3]

b.
Solve each of the following equations.
c. (a) x  8  10 (b) 5x  4  2
(c) 3x  8  4 (d) 3(x  2)  4  5
d.
(e) 4(2x  1)  3  23 (f) 4(2x  5)  3(3x  1)  8
e.

f.

Answers
2 xy 6 x2 5 m2 2
1. 3. 5. 7. 2 9. 11. 13.
9 12 a 6y 12a 6n3 3
3p 2
m3 2r  1 7x 6 2
15. 17. 19. 21. 23. 25.
p8 3m 3r  2 5 x2 3
1 3y 9 a3 x2 2x  1
27. 29. 31. 33. 35. 37.
2x 2 20 10a 3x2 2x
3b 1 x x 2x 8
39. 41. 43. 45. 47. 49.
a  2b 3x2 6 2 3(x  4) 9
2 1 3a 2(y  1) 2x  1 3y  x
51. 53. 55. 57. 59. 61.
3 2x 2 y1 2x  1 6
xy x4 2y  1 x1 y2
63. 65. 67. 69. 71.
y x3 1  2x x4 (y  1)(y  4)
2x  1 8 7 2 6
73. 75. 77. 79. 81. a. 2 b.
x1 3 8 3 5
4
c.  d. 5 e. 3 f. 15
3

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434