To simplify a rational expression:

1. Factor numerator as much as possible.

2. Factor denominator as much as
possible
3. Cancel common factors.

Numerator and denominator

are linear functions
Example 1

Simplify the following rational expression:

Numerator and denominator
are quadric trinomials
Solution
Factor a quadric trinomial
1: Factor numerator:
To factor a quadric trinomial we will
2: Factor denominator:
use following formula
3: Cancel common factors:
where

Example 2 Example 3 (IMPORTANT)

Simplify the following rational expression: Factor the trinomial 2x2 + 3x - 2

Solution 3
In this example a = 2, b = 3, c = -
Solution 2. Plugging these numbers into the
1: Factor numerator: quadratic formula we get:
2: Factor denominator:
3: Cancel common factors:

The factors 2 - x and x - 2 are almost

the same, but not quite, so they can't
be cancelled. Remember to switch
the sign out front: 2 - x = -(x - 2)
 We then have:

Example 4

Simplify the following rational expression:

Solution
Again, the first thing that we will do
here is factor the numerator and
denominator.
1: Factor numerator:

2: Factor denominator:

3: Cancel common factors:

Nothing else will cancel and so we have reduced

this expression to lowest terms