Chapter 1

Operations on fractions

1.1 Elements of a fraction

The fraction ab is composed of a numerator a and a denominator b. The value of the
fraction ab is equal to a : b. In other words, any fraction represents a division, only
the graphical representation of the term is different. This immediately leads to the
restriction b 6= 0, because division by 0 is not well defined in terms of real numbers.
It is very important for us to remember that there are many ways to represent
the same fraction. For example, the fractions 13 , 26 and 39 are equivalent. But how
do we go from one fraction to another and conserve the equivalence relation?
A fraction remains equivalent if the numerator and the denominator
are multiplied or divided by the same number, except zero.
For example:

1 1·2 2
1. 3
= 3·2
= 6
1 1·3 3
2. 3
= 3·3
= 9
2 2:2 1
3. 6
= 6:2
= 3
3 3:3 1
4. 9
= 9:3
= 3

Note that for fractions where the numerator divided by the denominator gives
a natural number, we may simply type that number. Moreover, for any fraction if
we perform the division, we obtain a decimal number.

1
2 CHAPTER 1. OPERATIONS ON FRACTIONS

For example:

2
1. 1
=2
44
2. 11
=4
1
3. 4
= 1.25
3
4. 9
= 1.333333 · · · = 1.3̇

A fraction is written in its simplified form if the numerator and the denomina-
tor have no common factor. In other words, it is impossible to find a number that is
a divisor to both the numerator and the denominator in a fractions simplified form.
The fraction 40
60
is not written in its simplified form since there are numbers
that divide both 40 and 60. The largest common divisor (factor) of 40 and 60 is 20,
where
40 40 : 20 2
= = .
60 60 : 20 3
Since we divided the numerator and the denominator by the same number 20,
the fraction 40
60
is equivalent to 23 . In addition, 32 is the simplified form of 40
60
since no
other common factor exists for 2 and 3.
A simplification can be done in many steps if we do not recognize at once the
largest common factor for the numerator and the denominator. For example:
40 40 : 2 20 20 : 2 10 10 : 5 2
= = = = = = .
60 60 : 2 30 30 : 2 15 15 : 5 3

In the end, no matter how many steps taken, the same simplified form will be
found.

1.2 Rules for adding and subtracting fractions

In order to add or subtract two fractions with a common denominator, it is sufficient
to add or subtract their numerators.
For example:

1 4 1+4 5
1. 3
+ 3
= 3
= 3

1 4 1−4 −3
2. 3
− 3
= 3
= 3
= −1.
1.3. RULES FOR MULTIPLYING AND DIVIDING FRACTIONS 3

Note that the adding and subtracting rule for fractions is applicable only if
both fractions have the same denominator. However, this will generally not be the
case. We will need to rewrite the fractions into equivalent fractions with a common
denominator. If we have for example 13 + 14 the above rule is not applicable. We can
however rewrite the two fractions such that they have a common denominator. As
a common denominator we take the smallest common multiple of the two denomi-
nators. In the example above, the smallest common multiple of 3 and 4 is 12. The
sum is then computed as

1 1 1·4 1·3 4 3 7
+ = + = + = .
3 4 3·4 4·3 12 12 12

Note: When possible, it may be useful to simplify fractions before proceeding

with addition or subtraction. Such a simplification will facilitate finding a common
denominator. For example:

33 33 3 11 45 44 89
+ = + = + = .
44 45 4 15 60 60 60

1.3 Rules for multiplying and dividing fractions

Note that in contrast to addition and subtraction, the multiplication rule does not
impose constraints to the denominator values. This means they do not need to be
common. Now we have:
a c a·c
· = .
b d b·d
Of course, we assume that b and d are non-zero terms.
Note: It may be useful to simplify fractions before multiplying. In addition to
simplifying each fraction individually, simplifying the denominator of one fraction
with the numerator of the other fraction is permitted, provided that both have
common factors.
For example:
15 8 3·5 8·1 3 1 3
· = · = · = .
16 25 2·8 5·5 2 5 10
The division of fractions is transformed into multiplication:

a c a d a·d
: = · = .
b d b c b·c
Of course, we assume that b, c and d are non-zero terms.
4 CHAPTER 1. OPERATIONS ON FRACTIONS

For example:
15 8 15 25 375
: = · = .
16 25 16 8 128
Mixed numbers like 1 23 are better transformed into fractions, 1 32 = 1·3+2
3
and
then used for further manipulations. In general, having a mixed number of the form
a cb may always be transformed into a·c+b
c
.
1.4. EXERCISES ON FRACTIONS: ADDITION, SUBTRACTION, MULTIPLICATION AND DIVI

1.4 Exercises on fractions: addition, subtraction,

multiplication and division

1. Compute the following expressions:

1 2
1. 2
+ 3
=
3
2. 4
+ 45 − 2
8
=
3. 2 53 + 3
5
=
4. 7 78 + 4 34 − 6 12
7
− 4 23 + 2 16 =
5. 5 54 + 3 16 − 4 83 + 2 12
7
− 1 11
24
=
6. 3 34 − 1 32 + 5 65 − 12 + 4 12
7
=
7. 5 34 − 2 53 + 1 12 + 2 20 7


=

2. Compute and simplify as much as possible:

1
1. 2 · 2
=
2
2. 3 · 3
=
3
3. 2 · 4
=
3 4
4. 4
· 5
=
2 3
5. 7
· 8
=
6. 2 35 · 3
5
=
7. 7 78 · 4 43 · 6 12
7
· 4 32 · 2 16 =

3. Compute and simplify as much as possible:

6 CHAPTER 1. OPERATIONS ON FRACTIONS

1. 2 · 12 + 1
2
=
2
2. 3 + 3 · 3
=
4 11
3. 2 13 · 1 15 + 2 11
14
2
· 2 13 − 1 21 =

4. 3 34 · 2 52 + 6 14 · 1 23 − 21 =

5. 3 15 − 2 12 + 1 10 7


·5=

6. 91 − 18 1
+ 14 · 31 − 11 1


7
+ 27 =

7. 8 14 − 1 35 · 1 21 − 3 23 + 40 1


=

4. Compute and simplify as much as possible:

1 1
1. 2
: 2
=
3 2
2. 2
: 3
=
2
3. 3 : 3
=
2
4. 3
:3=

5. 6 35 : 11 =

6. 3 43 : 1
2
=

7. 11 13 : 4 41 =

5. Compute and simplify as much as possible:

1. 3 34 + 2 16
1
: 11
12
2
− 2 15 1
· 1 24 =

2. 6 53 : 2 14
15
+ 1 87 : 2 14 − 1 13 =

3. 31 : 17
4
− 3 32 + 4 14 − 5 65 : 5 =

19 5

41 7

1
4. 24 − 36 : 48 − 12 − 13 =
1.4. EXERCISES ON FRACTIONS: ADDITION, SUBTRACTION, MULTIPLICATION AND DIVI

21
· 74 + 5 11
+ 65 = 5



5. 100 8
+ 12
: 24

6. 4 15 − 1 27 · 56 + 3 21 + 1 92 : 18


5 13
− 14
=
13
7. 3 52 − 1 20 + 4 13 · 1 13
2
+ 9 14 : 4 91 =

6. Compute and simplify as much as possible:

1
1. 2
1 =
2

3
2. 2
2 =
3

3
3. 2 =
3

2
4. 3
3
=
6 35
5. 11
=
3 34
6. 1 =
2

11 13
7. 4 14
=

7. Compute and simplify as much as possible:

3 31 − 25 · 65 − 34
1. 1 4
· + 43 · 45
=
2 5

8
+ 56 · 15
2
−1
2. 9
3 2 · 14 − 23 · 38
1 5 =

( 11
15
9
+ 20 ):( 127 − 151 )− 319
3. 1
+ 14 + 6029 =
8 ( 15 ):( 187 + 11
30 )
8 CHAPTER 1. OPERATIONS ON FRACTIONS

1.5 Operations on terms: addition, subtraction,

multiplication and division

1. Compute the following expressions:

1. a + a =

2. a + b + a + b =

3. a + b + c =

4. 13n + 6p + 26n + p =

5. 7x + 2y − 3z − 2x − 5y + 6z + 3x − 2y + z =

6. 3x − 8y + 4z − 4x + 2y − 3z − x + 3y − 2z =

7. 5x + 2y − 3z − 2x − 5y + 6z + 3x − 2y + z =

8. 7a + 3b − 4c + 7d − 2a + b + 2c − 3d + a − 7b − c − d + 2a − b − 3c + 2d =

9. (4x + y − z) − (2x − y + 2z) − (−3x + 2y − 3z) =

10. 2x − 3 − (2x + 3 − (x + 5)) =

11. 8x − 5 − (4x − (−2x + 1)) − (−5x − 5) =

12. x + 7 − (x + 3 − (x − 8 − (x − 2))) =

13. x + 7 − (x + 5 − (x + 8 − (x + 10))) =

14. 7x − (3y − (z − 5x − (2y − z))) =

15. 3x − 8y + (2x + 3y − 4) − (7x − 4y − 4) =

16. 15x − 4y + 4z − (2x − 3y − z − (−x + 4y − 2z)) − (5x − y − (2z − 3x) + x) =

17. 15x−3y+6z−(x−(3x−y+9z−(−11x+3y−4z)))−(2x+4y−z−(x−2y−5z)) =

18. a3 + 2a2 − 3a − 3 + a2 + 3a − 2a2 =

19. x3 + 2x2 − x + 3x2 − 2 − 5x + 3x =

20. a3 + 2ab2 + b3 − a3 + 2a2 b − ab2 =

1.5. OPERATIONS ON TERMS: ADDITION, SUBTRACTION, MULTIPLICATION AND DIVISIO

21. 3a2 + 2b2 − (a2 + ab − b2 ) − (a2 − 2ab + b2 ) =

22. 5a2 + b2 − (3a2 + 2ab − (2ab − b2 )) =

23. a3 − (a3 + a2 − (a2 − a + (a + 1))) =

24. 5a4 − (4a4 − 2a2 − (3a4 − 2a2 )) =

25. 3a2 b − (2ab2 − (b3 − (3a2 b − 2ab2 ))) =

26. x3 − (2xy 2 − (x2 y − (x3 − 2xy 2 ))) =

2. Compute the following expressions:

1. 2 · (a + b) = 2(a + b) =

2. 3 · (a + b) + 5 · (a + b) = 3(a + b) + 5(a + b) =

3. a · (a + b) + b · (a + b) = a(a + b) + b(a + b) =

4. 2 · (x − y + z) + 5 · (x + y − z) =

5. (x + y − 3z) · 4 − (3y − 2x − z) · 5 =

6. (9r − 7s) · (−2) + (3s + 4r) · (−5) =

7. (7s + 5r) · (−3) − (4r − 3s) · (−2) =

8. (9r − 2s) · (−1) − (−4) · (3s − r) + (4s + r) · 6 + (3r − 2s) · (−5) =

9. (3a3 bx2 ) · (−5a2 b3 x) =

10. (−6m4 n2 y) · (−2m2 n3 y 5 ) =

11. (2a5 b3 ) · (−3a2 b3 ) · (−4ab5 ) =

12. (−6a3 b2 xy 4 ) · (−2a2 b3 x3 y) · (−3ab4 x2 y 2 ) =

13. (3x5 − 7x4 + 3x3 − 8x2 − x + 3) · (−2x2 ) =

14. (2a4 b − 3a3 b2 + 7a2 b3 − 4ab4 ) · (−3ab) =

15. x · (2x3 − 3) − 2x2 · (3x2 − 5) − 9x · (x − 1) =

10 CHAPTER 1. OPERATIONS ON FRACTIONS

16. a2 · (5a3 − 4a2 + 3a − 2) + a · (a3 − 2a2 + 3a − 4) − (2a5 − 3a4 + a2 ) =

17. a2 · (a + b) − ab · (a − b) + b2 · (a + b) =

18. a2 · (a2 + ab + b2 ) − ab · (a2 + b2 ) − b2 · (a2 − 2ab + b2 ) =

19. (5e − 2f ) · (3g + 4h) =

20. (r + 2s − 3t) · (5x + 2y) =

21. (a2 − ab + b2 ) · (a + b) =

22. (a2 − 3ab − 2b2 ) · (2a − 3n) =

23. (3a2 − 5a + 10) · (5a − 2) =

24. (4x − 3y) · (3x + 4y) − (3x − 4y) · (4x + 3y) =

25. (r2 − 3rs − 2s2 ) · (2r − 3s) =

26. (3r2 − rs + 2s2 ) · (2r2 − 4rs + s2 ) =

3. Prove that for any a and b, the equality holds:

1. (a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2

2. (a − b)2 = a2 − 2ab + b2

3. (a + b)(a − b) = a2 − b2

4. Compute the following expressions:

1. (3x + 5y)2 =

2. (7u + 3w)2 =

3. (4a − 5b)2 =

4. (5x − 4y)2 =
1.5. OPERATIONS ON TERMS: ADDITION, SUBTRACTION, MULTIPLICATION AND DIVISIO

5. (−5y + 7z)2 =

6. (−8x + 3y)2 =

7. (−3b − 4c)2 =

8. (−6v − 7w)2 =

9. (5v − 1)2 − (3v + 2)2 =

10. (3x + 5y)(3x − 5y) =

11. (4x2 − 5y)(4x2 + 5y) =

5. Compute and simplify as much as possible. Define the domain of

the term:

1. 42x3 y 4 : (−7x2 y 3 ) =

2. (−36a4 b5 c8 ) : (−9a3 b2 c6 ) =

3. (−27a9 b7 x4 y 6 ) : (9a7 b6 xy 5 ) =

4. ((−81a8 b6 x10 ) : 3a2 bx4 ) : (−9a5 b4 x5 ) =

5. (x4 − 5x3 + 2x2 − 7x) : x =

6. (6a3 − 9a2 + 12a − 15) : 3 =

7. (12x3 y − 18x2 y 2 + 24xy 3 ) : 6xy =

8. (15a6 − 20a5 + 10a4 − 5a3 ) : (−5a2 ) =

9. (36x4 y 3 z 2 − 42x4 y 5 z 6 + 18x5 y 4 z 3 − 48x3 y 6 z 5 ) : 6x3 y 3 z 2 =

10. (27a3 b2 x5 − 18a4 b3 x4 − 36a5 b4 x3 − 54a4 b5 x2 ) : (−9a2 b2 x2 ) =

6. Factorize each of the following expressions.:

1. 15x + 25 =
12 CHAPTER 1. OPERATIONS ON FRACTIONS

2. 3x2 − 9x =

3. 4xy + 40x2 =

4. 7x2 yz − 8y =

5. 36k 3 + 27k 2 − 18k =

6. 25n3 − 15n2 + 35 =

7. a(x − 3) + b(x − 3) =

8. m(x + y) + n(x + y) =

9. (3a2 + 2b2 ) · 5x − (3a2 + 2b2 ) =

10. c(y − z) + (y − z) =

11. (5a + b)x + 5a + b =

12. z 2 (x2 − y 2 ) − x2 + y 2 =

7. Factorize each of the following expressions.:

1. 12x2 + 16xy =

2. 25a2 + 5a =

3. x3 + x2 =

4. 27a3 − 9a2 b =

5. 6x2 y 3 + 18xy 5 =

6. 35pq 3 − 28p3 q 2 =

7. x2 + 6x + 9 =

8. x2 + 10x + 25 =

9. x2 − 4x + 4 =

10. x2 − 8x + 16 =
1.5. OPERATIONS ON TERMS: ADDITION, SUBTRACTION, MULTIPLICATION AND DIVISIO

11. 4x2 + 12x + 9 =

12. 16x2 + 40x + 25 =

13. 9a2 − 30ab + 25b2 =

14. 25a2 − 80ab + 64b2 =

15. 4a3 − 12a2 + 9a =

16. 2x2 − 12x + 18 =

17. 2x4 + 20x3 + 50x2 =

18. 6x3 − 24x2 y + 24xy 2 =

19. 25a2 − 16b2 =

20. 81a2 − 64b2 =

21. 49x2 − 36y 2 =

8. Factorize each of the following expressions.:

1. 8x2 − 2y 2 =

2. 27x2 − 12y 2 =

3. 50x2 − 8y 2 =

4. 32x2 − 72y 2 =

5. 20a2 − 45b2 =

6. 81a4 b2 − 36a2 b4 =

7. a3 + 8 =

8. 8x3 + 27 =

9. 27x3 − 64y 3 =

10. 64a3 + 27b3 =

14 CHAPTER 1. OPERATIONS ON FRACTIONS

11. 125a3 + 8b3 =

12. 8x3 − 125y 3 =

13. 125a3 − 216b3 =

14. 16a4 − 1 =

15. 256x4 − 81x4 =

16. 16x4 − 81y 8 =

17. 256a8 − 625b4 =

18. 256x4 − 81y 4 =

1.6. OPERATIONS ON TERMS. DOMAIN OF A TERM 15

1.6 Operations on terms. Domain of a term

The domain of definition (or simply the domain) of a term is the set of “input” or
argument values for which the term is defined. That is, the value of the term may
be computed. For example if we have the term 5x3 , the domain is R since for any
concrete real number x0 , the value of 5x30 may be computed.
There are however terms which are not defined, i.e., may not be computed for
certain values and therefore those values need to be explicitly excluded from the
domain. For example if we have the term x−15x3
, the domain is not anymore R since
for x0 = 0 the term may not be evaluated due to division by 0. In this case, we
define as dom( x−1
5x3
) = R\{0}.

1. Compute and simplify as much as possible. Define the domain of

the term:

1. 42x3 y 4 : (−7x2 y 3 ) =
2. (−36a4 b5 c8 ) : (−9a3 b2 c6 ) =
3. (−27a9 b7 x4 y 6 ) : (9a7 b6 xy 5 ) =
4. ((−81a8 b6 x10 ) : 3a2 bx4 ) : (−9a5 b4 x5 ) =
5. (x4 − 5x3 + 2x2 − 7x) : x =
6. (6a3 − 9a2 + 12a − 15) : 3 =
7. (12x3 y − 18x2 y 2 + 24xy 3 ) : 6xy =
8. (15a6 − 20a5 + 10a4 − 5a3 ) : (−5a2 ) =
9. (36x4 y 3 z 2 − 42x4 y 5 z 6 + 18x5 y 4 z 3 − 48x3 y 6 z 5 ) : 6x3 y 3 z 2 =
10. (27a3 b2 x5 − 18a4 b3 x4 − 36a5 b4 x3 − 54a4 b5 x2 ) : (−9a2 b2 x2 ) =

2. Factorize each of the following expressions.:

16 CHAPTER 1. OPERATIONS ON FRACTIONS

1. 15x + 25 =

2. 3x2 − 9x =

3. 4xy + 40x2 =

4. 7x2 yz − 8y =

5. 36k 3 + 27k 2 − 18k =

6. 25n3 − 15n2 + 35 =

7. a(x − 3) + b(x − 3) =

8. m(x + y) + n(x + y) =

9. (3a2 + 2b2 ) · 5x − (3a2 + 2b2 ) =

10. c(y − z) + (y − z) =

11. (5a + b)x + 5a + b =

12. z 2 (x2 − y 2 ) − x2 + y 2 =

3. Factorize each of the following expressions.:

1. 12x2 + 16xy =

2. 25a2 + 5a =

3. x3 + x2 =

4. 27a3 − 9a2 b =

5. 6x2 y 3 + 18xy 5 =

6. 35pq 3 − 28p3 q 2 =

7. x2 + 6x + 9 =

8. x2 + 10x + 25 =

9. x2 − 4x + 4 =
1.6. OPERATIONS ON TERMS. DOMAIN OF A TERM 17

10. x2 − 8x + 16 =

11. 4x2 + 12x + 9 =

12. 16x2 + 40x + 25 =

13. 9a2 − 30ab + 25b2 =

14. 25a2 − 80ab + 64b2 =

15. 4a3 − 12a2 + 9a =

16. 2x2 − 12x + 18 =

17. 2x4 + 20x3 + 50x2 =

18. 6x3 − 24x2 y + 24xy 2 =

19. 25a2 − 16b2 =

20. 81a2 − 64b2 =

21. 49x2 − 36y 2 =

4. Factorize each of the following expressions.:

1. 8x2 − 2y 2 =

2. 27x2 − 12y 2 =

3. 50x2 − 8y 2 =

4. 32x2 − 72y 2 =

5. 20a2 − 45b2 =

6. 81a4 b2 − 36a2 b4 =

7. a3 + 8 =

8. 8x3 + 27 =

9. 27x3 − 64y 3 =
18 CHAPTER 1. OPERATIONS ON FRACTIONS

10. 64a3 + 27b3 =

11. 125a3 + 8b3 =

12. 8x3 − 125y 3 =

13. 125a3 − 216b3 =

14. 16a4 − 1 =

15. 256x4 − 81x4 =

16. 16x4 − 81y 8 =

17. 256a8 − 625b4 =

18. 256x4 − 81y 4 =

1.7. EXPANSION, MULTIPLICATION, SIMPLIFICATION AND DIVISION OF FRACTIONS19

1.7 Expansion, multiplication, simplification and

division of fractions

1. For each of the fractions, (i) expand by 5 and (ii) multiply by 5.

If necessary, first bring the term into a fraction. The domain is also to
be defined whenever necessary:

5
1. x
=
x
2. 5
=
x
3. 5
+5=
x 5
4. 5
+ x
=

2. For each of the fractions, (i) simplify by 5 and (ii) divide by 5.

If necessary, first bring the term into a fraction. The domain is also to
be defined whenever necessary:

5
1. x
=
x
2. 5
=
x
3. 5
+5=
x 5
4. 5
+ x
=

3. Compute and simplify as much as possible. Define the domain of

the term:

18x3 y 2
1. 24x2 y
=
15a3 bc4
2. 10ab2 c
=
20 CHAPTER 1. OPERATIONS ON FRACTIONS

52x3 y 5 z 2
3. 65x4 y 2 z 3
=
x2 −16
4. 3x−12
=
4xy−6y 2
5. 4x2 −9y 2
=
6a2 b+2ab2
6. 18a2 −2b2
=
x2 −9
7. x2 −6x+9
=
x2 +2xy+y 2
8. x2 −y 2
=
2x2 −18
9. 2x2 −12x+18
=
6x2 −6
10. 15x+15x2
=
4x2 −9y 2
11. 4x2 −12xy+9y 2
=
12x3 −24x2 y
12. 6x3 −24x2 y+24xy 2
=

4. Compute and simplify as much as possible. Define the domain of

the term:

15x−3y−z 7x−9y+5z 3x+y−6z

1. x+y
+ x+y
− x+y
=
3a−4b+2 5a−2b 3a−4b+1
2. 7
− 2
+ 5
=
x+3y−5 2x−4y+7 4x−5y+2
3. 36
+ 90
− 18
=
x y z
4. yz
+ xz
+ xy
=
4−x 5x−3 2x−3
5. 5x2
− 15x
+ 25
=
a2 −b2 a−b b2 −c2 b−c c2 −a2
6. ab
+ c
+ bc
+ a
+ ac
=
4−a 8a−5 5a−6
7. 8a2
− 12a
+ 6
=
x−y
8. x+y
+1=
x+y
9. x−y
−1=
1.7. EXPANSION, MULTIPLICATION, SIMPLIFICATION AND DIVISION OF FRACTIONS21

8
10. 5−x
−3=
1
11. 3 − x+5
=
10 5
12. x2 −1
+ x+1
=
y+2 3−2y
13. 4y 2 −9
+ 6y−9
=
4y−1 1−2y
14. 3y+3
− y 2 −1
=

2z−1 z 2 +3z
15. 6z−15
− 25−4z 2
=
5 2x+2 2
16. x−1
− x2 −1
+ x+1
=
3a2 +4a−5 3a+2 5
17. (a+1)2
− a−1
− a2 −1
=
r s r−s
18. rs+s2
− r2 +rs
− 2rs
=
s 1 1
19. st2 −t3
− s2 −st
− t2
=
1 1
20. a2 −a
+ a2 +a
=
a+b 2ab a−b
21. a−b
+ a2 −b2
− a+b
=
2ab b a+b
22. a2 −b2
+ a2 +ab
− a2 −ab
=
1 b b
23. a2
+ a3 −ab2
− a3 +a2 b
=
1 b b2
24. a2 +ab
+ a3 −a2 b
− a4 −a2 b2
=
2 1 3y xy
25. x+y
− x−y
− y 2 −x2
+ x3 +y 3
=

5. Compute and simplify as much as possible. Define the domain of

the term:

2
1. x
· 3x2 =
5
2. 20x
· 4x2 =
3x2 y
3. 5xy 2
· 10y =
22 CHAPTER 1. OPERATIONS ON FRACTIONS

3
4. a2 −b2
· (a + b) =
5(x2 +x+1)
5. x3 −1
· (x − 1) =
15a4 b3 c3 24x4 y 3 z 2
6. 16xy 2 z 3
· 25ab2 c3
=
5x+10 2x2 −3x
7. 6x−9
· x2 +2x
=
3c−5d 5w+20v
8. 4v+w
· 5d−3c
=
c2 −4d2 4x2 −y 2
9. 2x−y
· 2c2 +4cd
=
 
1 1
10. x+y
− x−y
· (x2 − y 2 ) =
 
1 1 x2 y 3
11. x
− y
· x−y
=

a b


12. a+b
+ a−b
· (a2 − b2 ) =
a+b a−b


13. a−b
· (a2 − b2 ) =
− a+b

3 3
− x229


14. x−5 − x+5 −25
· (x2 − 25) =

15. a+b a a−b

b
· a+b
− a
=
   
16. x+y1 1
+ x−y · xy − xy =
   
x+y
17. y
− 4x
x+y
· x−y
x
+ 4y
x−y
=

x2 −y 2 3
18. xz+yz
· 5x−5y
=
2x2 +4x+2 4x2 −8x+4
19. 3(x−1)2
· 5(x+1)2
=
6xy+18x 72−8x2
20. xz−3z
· yz+3z
=
6x3 −12x2 20x3
21. 5x2
· 9x2 −36
=
 
1 1 4x2 +8xy+4y 2
22. x−y
− x+y
· 8y
=

a3 +b3 a−b
23. ab−b2
· a2 +ab
+1=
12x
24. y2
: 6x =
1.7. EXPANSION, MULTIPLICATION, SIMPLIFICATION AND DIVISION OF FRACTIONS23

35p2 q 4
25. 6pq
: 7pq 3 =

5x2 yz 10x2 y 2 z 2
26. 3abc
: 6abc
=

6. Compute and simplify as much as possible. Define the domain of

the term:

x2 −y 2 x−y
1. x+y
: (x+y)2
=
3a−4b 8b−6a
2. 4a−3b
: 9b−12a
=
2x−y 4x2 −y 2
3. x+3y
: x2 −9y 2
=

9x2 −y 2 6x−2y
4. x2 −y 2
: 3x+3y
=

4a2 +12ab+9b2 4a+6b

5. 9a2 −4b2
: 9a−6b
=
9a2 −4b2 21a−14b
6. 4x2 +12xy+9y 2
: 10x+15y
=

a2 −b2
: 1 − ab =


7. 2ab
 2
 2 2
−b
8. 1 − ab2 : a ab =
 
2 1 x+y
9. 3x−y
− 2x
: 6x−2y
=

18a−30b 40b−24a
10. 4c−28d
: 9c−63d
=
b 4b b

2
11. a−2b
− : a3 −4ab a2 =

  2
12. x
x−y
− x+y · 2xxy−y
y
3 +2xy 2 :
y
2x2
=
 
a2 +b2 a2 −b2 2a+2b
13. a− a+b
: a
· b2
=
5x
4a2 b
14. 15xy =
8ab

6rs
5p2 q
15. 5qs =
2r 2 p
24 CHAPTER 1. OPERATIONS ON FRACTIONS
2xy
x2 −y 2
16. 3x(x+y) =
x−y

1
x
+ y1
17. 1
− y1
=
x

x+ y1
18. x− 1 =
y2

x y
y
+x
19. x y
−x
=
y

1 5
− 6b
20. 4a
1
− 2 =
3b 3a

x+1
x−1
+ x−1
x+1
21. x+1
− x−1 =
x−1 x+1

1
1− x+1
22. 5 2
− x+1
=
(x+1)2