Simplifying algebraic fractions

Simplifying algebraic fractions

Contents

Adding and subtracting algebraic fractions

Multiplying and dividing algebraic fractions
Improper fractions and polynomial division
Examination-style question

1 of 37 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

Rational expressions

Remember, a rational number is any number that can be

written in the form ba , where a and b are integers and b ≠ 0.
Numbers written in this form are often called fractions.
In algebra, a rational expression is an algebraic fraction
that can be written in the form f ( x ) , where f(x) and g(x) are
g( x )
polynomials and g(x) ≠ 0.
For example,
3 3 x +1 x3  2
x2 x2  2 x2 + 3 x  4
For which values of x are each of the above expressions
undefined?

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Rational expressions

An algebraic fraction is undefined when the denominator is 0.

So,
3
is undefined when x + 2 = That is, when x = –2.
x+2
0.
3 x +1
is undefined when x2 – 2 = 0. That is, when x = ±√2.
x 2
2

x3  2
is undefined when x 2
+ 3x – 4 = 0.
x + 3x  4
2

We can factorize this to give (x + 4)(x – 1) = 0.

x3  2
So 2 is undefined when x = –4 or x = 1.
x + 3x  4

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Simplifying fractions by cancelling

When the numerator and the denominator of a numerical

fraction contain a common factor, the fraction can be simplified
by cancelling.

For example, consider the fraction

2
28 2
=
42 3 3

The highest common factor of 28 and 42 is ___.

14

This fraction can therefore be written in its simplest terms by

dividing both the numerator and the denominator by 14.

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Simplifying algebraic fractions by cancelling

Algebraic fractions can be cancelled in the same way.

For example,
3
6a 2
6aa 3
= =
8a 3
8  a  a  a 4a
4
When the numerator or the denominator contains more than
one term, we have to factorize before cancelling.
For example,
3 pq
Simplify
15 p  9 p 2
3 pq 3 pq q
= =
15 p  9 p 2
3 p(5  3 p ) 5  3 p

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Simplifying algebraic fractions by cancelling

3b  6
Simplify 2
b  2b

3b  6 3(b  2) 3
= =
b  2b b(b  2) b
2

x2 + x  2
Simplify
x2  1

x 2 + x  2 ( x  1)( x  2) x  2
= =
x 1
2
( x  1)( x  1) x  1

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Using additive inverses

When manipulating algebraic fractions it is helpful to remember

that an expression of the form a – b is the additive inverse of
the expression b – a.
i.e. a – b = –(b – a)
and
b – a = –(a – b )

For example, 3  y 2 ( y 2  3)
= 2 = –1
y 3
2
y 3

When cancelling, look for situations where a factor of –1 can

be taken out of a pair of brackets.

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Using additive inverses

14  7 x
Simplify 2
x  5x + 6

14  7 x 7(2  x )
=
x 2  5 x + 6 ( x  2)( x  3)

7(2  x )
=
(2  x )( x  3)
7
=
( x  3)
7
=
3x

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Simplifying complex fractions

Sometimes the numerator or the denominator of an algebraic

fraction contains another fraction. For example,
3x  1
x
Simplify
x2
This can be simplified by multiplying the numerator and the
denominator by x.
3 x  1x 3 x2  1
=
x 2
x3
1 2a
Simplify a
a3

Multiply the numerator and the denominator by 3a:

1  2a 3a  6 3a  6
a = 2 =
a  3 3a  a 2
4a 2
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Simplifying complex fractions

3  42
x x
Simplify
1  34x

To simplify this algebraic fraction we multiply the numerator

and the denominator by the lowest common multiple of x, x2
and 3x. That is ___.
3x2
3  42
x x 9 x  12
= 2
4
1 3 x 3 x  4 x
3(3 x + 4)
=
x(3 x + 4)
3
=
x

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 Adding and subtracting algebraic fractions

Simplifying algebraic fractions

Contents

Adding and subtracting algebraic fractions

Multiplying and dividing algebraic fractions
Improper fractions and polynomial division
Examination-style question

11 of 37 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

Adding and subtracting fractions

Before looking at the addition and subtraction of algebraic

fractions, let’s recall the method used for numerical fractions.

5 3
What is + ?
6 4

Before we can add these two fractions we have to write them

as equivalent fractions over a common denominator.

It is best to use the lowest common denominator of the

two fractions.

This is the lowest common multiple (LCM) of their

denominators.

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Adding and subtracting fractions

The LCM of 6 and 4 is ___.

12

5 3 10 + 9
So we write, + =
6 4 12
19
=
12
7
=1 12

We apply the same method to add or subtract algebraic

fractions.

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Adding and subtracting fractions

2 3
Write 2 + as a single fraction in its lowest terms.
x x

The LCM of x2 and x is ___.

x2
2 3 2+3 3xx
2
+ =
x x x2
y x
Write  as a single fraction in its lowest terms.
3x y

The LCM of 3x and y is ___.

3xy
y x y 22  3 2
3xx2
 =
3x y 3 xy
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Adding and subtracting fractions

2x 1
Write + as a single fraction in its lowest terms.
x + 3 2x + 6

2x 1
Start by factorizing where possible: +
x + 3 2( x + 3)

The LCM of x + 3 and 2(x + 3) is ______.

2(x + 3)

2x 1 4x 1
+ = +
x + 3 2( x + 3) 2( x + 3) 2( x + 3)

4 x +1
=
2( x + 3)

15 of 37 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

Adding and subtracting fractions

2x + 8
Write 3  2 as a single fraction in its lowest terms.
x +5

2 x + 8 3( x 2 + 5) 2 x + 8
3 2 = 2
 2
x +5 x +5 x +5
Notice that this
3 x +15  2 x  8
2
becomes – 8.
=
x2 + 5

3 x2  2 x  7
=
x2 + 5

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 Multiplying and dividing algebraic fractions

Simplifying algebraic fractions

Contents

Adding and subtracting algebraic fractions

Multiplying and dividing algebraic fractions
Improper fractions and polynomial division
Examination-style question

17 of 37 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

Multiplying and dividing fractions

Before looking at the multiplication and division of algebraic

fractions, let’s recall the methods used for numerical fractions.

3 12
What is × ?
8 21

When multiplying two fractions, start by cancelling any

common factors in the numerators and denominators:
1 3
3 12
×
8 21
2 7
Then multiply the numerators and multiply the denominators:
1 3 3
× =
2 7 14
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Multiplying and dividing fractions

To divide by a fraction we multiply by its reciprocal.

7 14
What is ÷ ?
9 15

This is equivalent to 1 5
7 15 1 5
× = ×
9 14 3 2
3 2
5
=
6

19 of 37 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

Multiplying and dividing algebraic fractions

We can apply the same methods to the multiplication and

division of algebraic fractions. For example,

3 x  12 2
Simplify ×
2x + 4 x  4

Start by factorizing where possible:

3 x  12 2 3( x  4) 2
× = ×
2 x + 4 x  4 2( x + 2) x  4
3
=
x+2

20 of 37 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

Multiplying and dividing algebraic fractions

x2  4 3x
Simplify ×
x + 2 2x  4

x2  4 3x ( x  2)( x  2) 3x
× = ×
x + 2 2x  4 x+2 2( x  2)
3x
=
2
5 15
Simplify ÷
2p p

5 15 5 p 1
÷ = × =
2p p 2 p 15 6
3

21 of 37 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

Multiplying and dividing algebraic fractions

14 7
Simplify ÷ 2
a+2 a a6

14 7 14 a 2  a  6
÷ 2 = ×
a+2 a a 6 a+2 7
2
14 ( a + 2)( a  3)
= ×
a+2 7

= 2(a – 3)

22 of 37 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

 Improper fractions and polynomial division

Simplifying algebraic fractions

Contents

Adding and subtracting algebraic fractions

Multiplying and dividing algebraic fractions
Improper fractions and polynomial division
Examination-style question

23 of 37 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

Improper fractions and mixed numbers

Remember, a numerical fraction is called an improper

fraction if the numerator is larger than the denominator.
Improper fractions are usually simplified by writing them as a
whole number plus a proper fraction.

This is called a mixed number.

For example, the improper fraction 29
6
can be converted to a
mixed number as follows:
29 24 + 5 24 5 5
= = + = 4
6 6 6 6 6
When 29 is divided by 6, 4 is the quotient and 5 is the
remainder.

24 of 37 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

Improper algebraic fractions

An algebraic fraction is called an improper fraction when the

numerator is a polynomial of degree greater than, or equal to,
the degree of the denominator.
For example,
x3 x3 4 x2
and
x4 x2  5 ( x  4)( x  2)
are improper algebraic fractions.
f ( x)
Suppose we have an improper fraction g( x) .
Dividing f(x) by g(x) will give us a quotient q(x) and a remainder
r(x), which gives us the identity:
f ( x) r( x )
 q( x ) +
g( x ) g( x )
where the degree of f(x) ≥ the degree of g(x).
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Writing improper fractions in proper form
r( x )
We can think of the form q( x ) + as being the algebraic
g( x )
equivalent of mixed number form. It is a polynomial plus a
proper fraction.
If the degree of f(x) is n and the degree of g(x) is m then:
The degree of the quotient q(x) will be equal to n – m.
The degree of the remainder r(x) will be less than m.
An improper algebraic fraction can be written in proper form
by:
rewriting the numerator.
writing an appropriate identity to equate the coefficients.
using long division to divide the numerator by the denominator.

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Writing improper fractions in proper form

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Rewriting the numerator

A useful technique for writing improper fractions in proper form

is to look for ways to rewrite the numerator so that part of it
can be divided by the denominator. For example,

x+3 B
Write in the form A + .
x 1 x  1

x + 3 x  1+ 4
=
x 1 x 1
x 1 4
= +
x 1 x 1
4
=1+
x 1

28 of 37 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

Rewriting the numerator

What is the quotient and the remainder when 3x2 + 2x is

divided by x2 + 1?

We can write this in fraction form as:

3 x2 + 2 x 3( x 2 +1) + 2 x  3
2
=
x +1 x 2 +1
3( x 2 +1) 2 x  3
= 2
+ 2
x +1 x +1
2x  3
=3 + 2
x +1
So when 3x2 + 2x is divided by x2 + 1 the quotient is 3 and the
remainder is 2x – 3.

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Rewriting the numerator

Find the remainder when x3 is divided by x2 – 3.

We can write this in fraction form as:

x3 x3  3 x + 3 x
=
x 3
2
x2  3
x( x 2  3) + 3 x
=
x2  3
x( x 2  3) 3x
= 2 + 2
x 3 x 3
3x
= x+ 2
x 3
The remainder is 3x.
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Constructing an identity

When the numerator cannot easily be manipulated to give an

expression of the required form, we can write an identity using:
f ( x) r( x )
 q( x ) +
g( x ) g( x )
where q(x) is the quotient and r(x) is the remainder when f(x) is
divided by g(x).

What is x3 – 4x2 + 5 divided by x2 – 3?

Let the quotient be Ax + B. (It must be linear because the

degree of the dividend minus the degree of the divisor is 1).
Let the remainder be Cx + D. (Its degree must be less than 2.)

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Constructing an identity

This gives us the identity

x3  4 x2 + 5 Cx + D
 Ax + B +
x2  3 x2  3
Multiply through by x2 – 3:
x 3  4 x 2 + 5  ( Ax + B )( x 2  3) + Cx + D
 Ax 3  3 Ax + Bx 2  3 B + Cx + D
Equate the coefficients:
x3: A=1
x2: B = –4
x: C – 3A = 0  C = 3
constants: D – 3B = 5  D + 12 = 5
 D = –7
32 of 37 © Boardworks Ltd 2006
Constructing an identity

We can now substitute these values into the original identity to

give:
x3  4 x 2 + 5 3x  7
 x 4+ 2
x 3
2
x 3
Alternatively, use long division:
x–4
x2 – 3 x3 – 4x2 + 0x + 5
x3 + 0x2 – 3x
– 4x2 + 3x + 5
– 4x2 +0x + 12
3x – 7
The quotient is x – 4 and the remainder is 3x – 7 so, as before:
x3  4 x2 + 5 3x  7
 x  4 +
x2  3 x2  3
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 Examination-style question

Simplifying algebraic fractions

Contents

Adding and subtracting algebraic fractions

Multiplying and dividing algebraic fractions
Improper fractions and polynomial division
Examination-style question

34 of 37 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

Examination-style question

3 9
Given that f ( x )  x  + 2 { x  , x  1, x  2},
x2 x  x2
x2 + x  3
show that f ( x )  .
x +1
3 9 3 9
x + 2 =x +
x2 x  x2 x  2 ( x  2)( x +1)
x( x  2)( x +1) 3( x +1) 9
=  +
( x  2)( x +1) ( x  2)( x +1) ( x  2)( x +1)
x3  x2  2 x  3 x  3 + 9
=
( x  2)( x +1)
x3  x2  5 x + 6
=
( x  2)( x +1)
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Examination-style question

Now divide x3 – x2 – 5x + 6 by x – 2:

x2 + x – 3
x–2 x3 – x2 – 5x + 6
x3 – 2x2
x2 – 5x
x2 – 2x
–3x + 6
–3x + 6
0
x 3  x 2  5 x + 6 ( x  2)( x 2 + x  3)
So, =
( x  2)( x +1) ( x  2)( x +1)
x2 + x  3
= as required.
x +1
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