Multiply and

Divide Rational
Expressions
Learning Target: You will be able to multiply
and divide rational expressions, and simplify
the product or quotient.
 Multiply rational
expressions.
•The product of two fractions is found by multiplying the
numerators and multiplying the denominators. Rational
expressions are multiplied in the same way.

P R
•The product of the rational expressions and Q is
S
P R PR
 
Q S QS
•That is, to multiply rational expressions, multiply the
numerators and multiply the denominators.
 Multiplying Rational
Expressions
EXAMPLE
• Multiply. Write each answer in lowest terms.
Solution:
2 5 25 25 1
   
7 10 7 10 7  25 7

8 p2q 9 8  p2  q  9 8  p  p  q  3 3 24 p
 2   
3 pq 3  p  q2 3 p  q  q q

It is also possible to divide out common factors in the numerator

and denominator before multiplying the rational expressions.
 Multiply the fractions
Reduce before multiply.

2
8x 7y
3 3
21y 16x
 Multiply the fractions
Reduce before multiply.

4 2
5a c 24bc
 3 2
12b 15a b
 Example
Multiply rational expressions
2x 2  4 x x 2  9x 18

x  4 x 12
2
2x
Step 1: Factor and Multiply

2x(x  2)(x  3)(x  6)

(x  2)(x  6)2x

x 3
Divide rational expressions.
Division of rational expressions is defined as follows.
P R R
If and are any two rational expressions with  0,
then Q S S
P R P S PS
    .
Q S Q R QR
That is, to divide one rational expression by another rational
expression, multiply the first rational expression by the reciprocal
of the second rational expression.
Dividing Rational Expressions
EXAMPLE
•Divide. Write each answer in lowest terms.

Solution:
3 5 3 16 3 4  4 12
    
4 16 4 5 45 5

9 p2 6 p3 9 p2 3 p  4 33 p  p 3
    
3p  4 3p  4 3p  4 6p 3
2  3 p  p  p 2p
Dividing Rational Expressions

EXAMPLE
• Divide. Write the answer in lowest terms.

5a 2b 10ab 2

2 8
Solution:
Dividing Rational Expressions
EXAMPLE
• Divide. Write the answer in lowest terms.
4 x  x  3  x 2  x  3

2x 1 4x2 1
4 x  x  3 4x2 1
Solution:  2 x  1   x 2 x  3
 
4  x  2 x  1  2 x  1

1 2 x  1  x  x
4  2 x  1

x
 Example
Divide rational expressions
Step 1: Multiply by reciprocal
3 8x 2  8x
 2 Step 2: Factor and Multiply
x  7 x  6x  7 Step 3: Simplify