Unit 2: Rational Expressions MCR3U

Multiplying & Dividing Rational Expressions

Learning Goal(s): Focus:

Students will: Multiplying and dividing rational expressions

● Apply algebraic rules and procedures, to
simplify expressions and solve equations.

Multiplying Fractions and Rational Expressions

Consider how you would approach the following fraction multiplication.

Compare the process above to this process where we multiply two rational expressions.

Based on your comparison of the two questions above, what steps should you take to
multiply rational expressions in general?

Question: why are 𝑥 ≠− 1, − 3 included in the restrictions?

(Hint: try substituting these values into the original expressions)
Unit 2: Rational Expressions MCR3U

Dividing Rational Expressions

Consider the following division problem.

Based on your analysis of this solution, what steps would you take to divide rational
expressions in general?

Note about restrictions: consider which values of x will not produce a real value in each
expression. We must consider every factor that has ever been in the denominator at each
stage of solving.
Unit 2: Rational Expressions MCR3U

Practice
Simplify each expression and state restrictions.

2 3
9−𝑥 𝑥+2 5𝑥 6𝑦
2𝑥+4
× 𝑥+3 5 × 2
8𝑦 10𝑥

2𝑥+10 6𝑥+30 2
÷ 𝑥 +3𝑥−10 𝑥−2
3𝑥−3 2
𝑥 −𝑥 2𝑥+8
÷ 2
𝑥 +4𝑥

2 2
7𝑥 12𝑥+6 𝑥 +3𝑥+2 𝑥−1
2 × 2𝑥+8 2 × 2
6𝑥 +3𝑥 𝑥 −1 𝑥 −2𝑥−8
Unit 2: Rational Expressions MCR3U

2 2 2
𝑥 +15𝑥 3𝑥 𝑥 +15𝑥+26 𝑥 −3𝑥−10
4𝑥+24
÷ 3𝑥+18 2 ÷ 3
6𝑥 30𝑥

2 2 2
𝑥 −2𝑥−8 𝑥−3 2𝑥 −5𝑥−12 2𝑥 +5𝑥+3
𝑥+2
× 2 2 ÷ 2
𝑥 +2𝑥−24 𝑥 +𝑥−20 𝑥 +8𝑥+7