Simplifying

Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions

Remember that a rational number can be expressed as a quotient of two integers. A rational expression can be expressed as a quotient of two polynomials.

Examples of rational expressions

4 , 3x x 8 , x3 4y 7 2 y 5y 9

Remember, denominators can not = 0.

Now,lets go through the steps to simplify a rational expression.

7x 7 Simplify: 2 x 1
Step 1: Factor the numerator and the denominator completely looking for common factors. 7 x 7 7(x 1)
x 1 ( x 1)( x 1)
2

Next

7x 7 7( x 1) 2 x 1 (x 1)(x 1)

What is the common factor?

x 1

Step 2: Divide the numerator and denominator by the common factor.

7( x 1) 7( x 1) ( x 1)(x 1) ( x 1)(x 1)
1

Step 3: Multiply to get your answer.

7 Answer: x 1

Looking at the answer from the previous example, what value of x would make the denominator 0?

x= -1
The expression is undefined when the values make the denominator equal to 0

How do I find the values that make an expression undefined? Completely factor the original denominator.

2ab( a 2)(b 3) Ex: 2 3ab( a 4)

Factor the denominator

3ab( a 4) 3ab( a 2)(a 2)

The expression is undefined when: a= 0, 2, and -2 and b= 0.

Lets go through another example

3a a 3 2 2 a 6a
3 4

3a a a (3 a ) 3 2 2 2 a 6a 2 a ( a 3)
3 4 3

Factor out the GCF

Next

a (3 a) 2 2a (a 3)
3

3 a factored is

1(a 3)

a 3 1(a 3) 2 2a ( a 3)
1a 3 ( a 3) 2 2a ( a 3)
1 1

cancel like factors

1a 2 2a
1

a3
cancel out the like factor a 2

1a 2

answer

What values is the original expression undefined?

Now try to do some on your own.

x 5x 6 1) 2 x 9 3 2 5 x 10 x 2) 3 2 x 6 x 16 x Also find the values that make each expression undefined?

2

Remember how to multiply fractions:

First you multiply the numerators then multiply the denominators.

52 5 2 10 1 Ex : 6 20 6 20 120 12

The same method can be used to multiply rational expressions.

4a 3bc 4 a a 3 b c Ex: 3 3 5 a b b b 12 a a a 5ab 12 a

1 1 1 1

1 1 1

c 2 2 5b a

Lets do another one.

x 3x x 10 x 9 Ex: 2 2 x 5x 6 x 6 x 27
3 2 2

Step #1: Factor the numerator and the denominator.

x (x 3) ( x 1)( x 9) ( x 6)(x 1) ( x 9)( x 3)

2

Next

Step #2: Divide the numerator and denominator by the common factors.

x (x 3) ( x 1)( x 9) ( x 6)(x 1) ( x 9)( x 3)

2

Step #3: Multiply the numerator and the denominator.

x x6
Remember how to divide fractions?

Multiply by the reciprocal of the divisor. 4 16 4 25

25 5 16
1 5

5 4 25 4 5 16
1 4

Dividing rational expressions uses the same procedure.

Ex: Simplify
y2 y 2y 2 2 y 10 y 24 y 2 y 8
2

y2 y2 2 y 2 2 y 10 y 24 y 2 y 8

y2 y 2y 8 2 2 y 10 y 24 y 2 y
2

1 2) 12 y ( y 4)( y ( y 12)( y 2) y ( y 2) 1 1

y4 y ( y 12)
Next

Now you try to simplify the expression:

x3 2 x 6x 2 x 4x 12 x2
2

1 Answer: 2x (x 6)
Now try these on your own.
x +3 x 7x 6 1) 2 3 2 2x 2 x x 10 x 21
2

3 x 6 5x 10 2) 7x 7 14 x 14

Here are the answers:

x6 1) 2 2x (x 7) 6( x 1) 2) 5( x 1)