C3 Section 1 — ALGEBRA AND FUNCTIONS 1 mplifying Expressions ‘What a lovely way to star a book —a page on algebraic fractions. Still, atleast they’te over with early on, so if they pop ‘er in C3 you'll know what to do. No, not run away and cower in a corner — use the things you learnt on this page. lify algebraic fractions by Fi Algebraic fractions are a lot like normal fractions — and you can treat them in the same way, whether you're ‘multiplying, dividing, adding or subtracting them. All fractions are much easier to deal with when they‘ in their simplest form, so the first thing to do with algebraic fractions is to simplify them as much as possible. 1). Look for common factors in the numerator and denominator — factorise top and bottom and see if there's anything you can cancel, 2) there's fraction inthe numerator or denominator (eg 2), sup the shoe thing (Le top and bottom) by the same factor to get rd oft (or 2, you'd multiply through by 2 LEXIMEIEY simplify the following: Waketbke Fi ji a) 3r$6 SEZ) GSD ditreneot wo = b) 2+ 3¢ (2 7—)X2 __ seer _ ey a4 ra = Strat Bex xt NKR Ge Be 3) You multiply algebraic fractions in exactly the same way as normal fractions — multiply the nus together, then multiply the denominators. It's a good idea to cancel any common factors before you multiply. 4). To divide by an algebraic fraction, you just multiply by its reciprocal (the reciprocal for fractions you just turn the fraction upside down) MEET simplify the following: 1+ the original thing — » Badr 15, (e370 — 5), (ely —4) +B 2a x3 9a You'll have come across aclding and sublracting fractions before in C1, so here's a little reminder of how to do it sip Fete) | Tete al tistical ota from th baton lines and multply than together (Only use each bit once unless something on the bottom line is raised to 3 power See ST the peasy 2 ou eed toute? beau theres = 1 ih ne second factions denom nator, > The commen denminater T the lowest cormman multiple ~ cee ee alates = © LEE Tee Se eT (Eee ma C7 TE TS SSS" Make the denominator ofeach fraction ito the common denominator, PRB TES alin the top and bettors ine of exch PRED BEES) Wee Sy fasion iy shat makes baton Ine “he same athe commen denerinator ORI a ) ‘Once everything's over the common denominator ‘you can just add the top lines together. DPtx—vy@t3) _ Di ty—vy—3ry says canst athe op Ines wees) wet ‘All the bottom lines dre the same Who are you calling common... Nothing on this page should be a big shock to you — its all stuff you've done before. You've been using normal fractions for years, and algebraic fractions work in just the same way. They look a bit scary, but they're all warm and fuzzy inside. C3 Section 1 — Atcesra AND FUNCTIONS