P

Prerequisites

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P.7 Rational Expressions

Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Objectives

► The Domain of an Algebraic Expression

► Simplifying Rational Expressions

► Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions

► Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions

► Compound Fractions

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Objectives

► Rationalizing the Denominator or the Numerator

► Avoiding Common Errors

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Rational Expressions

A quotient of two algebraic expressions is called a

fractional expression. Here are some examples:

A rational expression is a fractional expression where

both the numerator and denominator are polynomials. For
example, the following are rational expressions:

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 The Domain of an
Algebraic Expression

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The Domain of an Algebraic Expression

In general, an algebraic expression may not be defined for

all values of the variable.

The domain of an algebraic expression is the set of real

numbers that the variable is permitted to have.

The table in the margin gives

some basic expressions and
their domains.

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Example 1 – Finding the Domain of an Expression

Consider the expression

(a) Find the value of the expression for x = 2.

(b) Find the domain of the expression.

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Example 1 – Solution

(a) We find the value by substituting 2 for x in the

expression:

Substitute x = 2

(b) The denominator is zero when x = 3. Since division by

zero is not defined, we must have x ≠ 3.

Thus the domain is all real numbers except 3. We can

write this in set notation as
{x | x ≠ 3}

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Simplifying Rational Expressions

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Simplifying Rational Expressions

To simplify rational expressions, we factor both

numerator and denominator and use the following property
of fractions:

This allows us to cancel common factors from the

numerator and denominator.

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Example 3 – Simplifying Rational Expressions by Cancellation

Simplify:

Solution:

Factor

Cancel common factors

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 Multiplying and
Dividing Rational Expressions

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Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions

To multiply rational expressions, we use the following

property of fractions:

This says that to multiply two fractions we multiply their

numerators and multiply their denominators.

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Example 4 – Multiplying Rational Expressions

Perform the indicated multiplication and simplify:

Solution:
We first factor.

Factor

Property of
fractions

Cancel common
factors 15
Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions

To divide rational expressions, we use the following

property of fractions:

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Example 5 – Dividing Rational Expressions

Perform the indicated division and simplify:

Solution:
Invert and multiply

Factor

Cancel common
factors

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Adding and Subtracting
Rational Expressions

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Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions

To add or subtract rational expressions, we first find a

common denominator and then use the following property
of fractions:

Although any common denominator will work, it is best to

use the least common denominator (LCD).

The LCD is found by factoring each denominator and

taking the product of the distinct factors, using the highest
power that appears in any of the factors.
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Example 6 – Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions

Perform the indicated operations and simplify:

(a) (b)

Solution:
(a) Here the LCD is simply the product (x – 1)(x + 2).
Write fractions
using LCD

Add fractions

Combine terms
in numerator
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Example 6 – Solution
cont’d

(b) The LCD of x2 – 1 = (x – 1)(x + 1) and (x + 1)2 is

(x – 1)(x + 1)2.

Factor

Combine fractions
using LCD

Distributive
Property

Combine terms in
numerator

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Compound Fractions

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Compound Fractions

A compound fraction is a fraction in which the numerator,

the denominator, or both, are themselves fractional
expressions.

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Example 7 – Simplifying a Compound Fraction

Simplify:

Solution 1:
We combine the terms in the numerator into a single
fraction. We do the same in the denominator.

Then we invert and multiply.

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Example 7 – Solution
cont’d

Solution 2:
We find the LCD of all the fractions in the expression, then
multiply numerator and denominator by it.

In this example the LCD of all the fractions is xy.

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Example 7 – Solution
cont’d

Thus

Multiply numerator
and denominator by xy

Simplify

Factor

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Rationalizing the Denominator
or the Numerator

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Rationalizing the Denominator or the Numerator

If a fraction has a denominator of the form A + B , we

may rationalize the denominator by multiplying numerator
and denominator by the conjugate radical A – B .

This is effective because, by Product Formula 1, the

product of the denominator and its conjugate radical does
not contain a radical:

(A + B )(A – B ) = A2 – B2C

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Example 10 – Rationalizing the Denominator

Rationalize the denominator:

Solution:
We multiply both the numerator and the denominator by the
conjugate radical of 1 + , which is 1 – .

Multiply numerator and

denominator by the
conjugate radical

Special Product Formula 1

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Example 10 – Solution
cont’d

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Avoiding Common Errors

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Avoiding Common Errors

The following table states several properties of

multiplication and illustrates the error in applying them to
addition.

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Avoiding Common Errors

To verify that the equations in the right-hand column are

wrong, simply substitute numbers for a and b and calculate
each side.

For example, if we take a = 2 and b = 2 in the fourth error,

we find that the left-hand side is

whereas the right-hand side is

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Avoiding Common Errors

Since 1  , the stated equation is wrong.

You should similarly convince yourself of the error in each

of the other equations.

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