Multiplying and Dividing Rational Algebraic Expressions

Multiplying and
Dividing Rational
Algebraic Expressions
Multiplying Rational
Match the expressions in Column A with its product in Column B.
Column A Column B
1. . A.
2. . B.
3. . C.
4. . D.
5. . 3 E.
F.
Method 1: Divide Out Greatest Common Monomial Factor
(GCMF) After Multiplying
Example 1: .
Solution:
Step 1. Multiply the numerators and denominators of the given rational algebraic
expressions.
37𝑥 ∙ 𝑦 = 37𝑥𝑦 Multiply the numerators.
2𝑦 ∙ 4 = 8𝑦 Multiply the denominators
Step 2: Find the GCMF of the product of numerators and denominators.
37𝑥𝑦 = 37 ∙ 𝑥 ∙ 𝒚 Look for prime factors.
8𝑦 = 2 ∙ 2 ∙ 2 ∙ 𝒚 Look for prime factors.
𝐺𝐶𝐹 = 𝑦 Look for the common factors from the two groups of factors.
Example 1: .
Solution:
Step 3: Divide out the GCMF of the product of numerators and denominators
. = Product (not yet reduced)

= Divide out GCMF.
Step 4: Simplify the remaining factors.
. = Product in reduced form.
(GCMF) Before Multiplying
Example 2: .
Solution: Step 1. Find the GCMF of the of numerators and denominators
15𝑦 ∙ 2𝑦 = 3 ∙ 𝟓 ∙ 𝒚 ∙ 𝟐 ∙ 𝑦 Look for prime factors of the two numerators.
2𝑦 ∙ 5𝑥 2 = 𝟐 ∙ 𝒚 ∙ 𝟓 ∙ 𝑥 ∙ 𝑥 Look for prime factors of the two denominators.
𝐺𝐶𝐹 = 𝟐 ∙ 𝒚 ∙ 𝟓 Look for common factors from the numerators
and denominators.
Step 2: Divide out the GCMF of the numerators and denominators.
. = . Factorization of the numerators and denominators.
= . Divide out GCMF.

Example 2: .
. = . Remaining factors
= . Multiply the numerators.
Multiply the denominators
= Product in reduced form

1. . = = =
2. . = = = =
Example 1 : .
Solution:
Step 1. Multiply the numerators and denominators of the given rational
algebraic expressions.
(𝑥2 − 4)(4) = (𝑥2 )(4) − (4)(4) Distributive Property
= 4𝑥2 − 16 Simplified
(2)(𝑥 − 2) = (2)(𝑥) − (2)(2) Distributive Property
= 2𝑥 − 4 Simplified
Example 1 : .
Solution:
Step 2: Find the GCMF of the product of numerators and denominators.
4𝑥2 − 16 = (2𝑥 − 4)(2𝑥 + 4) Factoring Difference of Two Squares
= (𝟐)(𝒙 − 𝟐)(2)(𝑥 + 2) Factoring the Greatest Common

Monomial Factor (GCMF)
2𝑥 − 4 = 𝟐(𝒙 − 𝟐) Factoring the Greatest Common Monomial Factor

(GCMF)
𝐺𝐶𝑀𝐹 = 𝟐(𝒙 − 𝟐) Look for the common factors from the

numerators and denominators.
Example 1 : .
Solution:
Step 3: Divide out the GCMF of the product of numerators and denominators
. = Product (not yet reduced)
= Factored form of the numerator
and denominator.
= Divide out the GCMF.
Example 1 : .
Solution:
. = 2(𝑥 + 2) Remaining factors
= (2)(𝑥) + (2)(2) Distributive Property
= 𝟐𝒙 + 𝟒 Product in reduced form.
Example 2 : .
Solution:
Step 1. Find the GCMF of the of numerators and denominators
(𝑥 − 5)(𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 6) = (𝑥 − 5)(𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 6) Factor the trinomial.
= (𝒙 − 𝟓)(𝑥 + 3)(𝒙 − 𝟐) Retain the other factor and write the
factors of the trinomial.
(𝑥2 − 7𝑥 + 10)(5) = (𝑥2 − 7𝑥 + 10)(5) Factor the trinomial.
= (𝒙 − 𝟓)(𝒙 − 𝟐)(5) Write the factors of the trinomial and retain
the other factor.
𝐺𝐶𝐹 = (𝒙 − 𝟓)(𝒙 − 𝟐) Look for common factors from the

numerators and denominators.
Example 2 : .
Solution:
Step 2: Divide out the GCMF of the numerators and denominators.
. = Factorization of the numerators and
denominators
= Divide out GCMF.

. = Product in reduced form
DON’T FORGET
In multiplying rational algebraic expressions, either
before or after multiplying, always divide out the
common factors to attain the product in reduced form.
1. . =
=
=
=
2. . = .
= .
=
=
Dividing Rational
Match the expressions in Column A with its quotient in Column
B.
Column A Column B
1. ÷ A.
2. ÷ B.
3. ÷ C.
4. ÷ D. 1
5. ÷3 E.
F.
The quotient of two rational algebraic expressions is the product of
the dividend and the reciprocal of the divisor.
In symbols, : ÷ = . = = , 𝑏, 𝑐 , 𝑑 ≠ 0
Example 1: ÷
Solution:
Step 1. Determine the dividend and divisor of the expression.
÷
Step 2: Find the reciprocal of the divisor.
= Reciprocal means its multiplicative inverse.
Example 1: ÷
Step 3: Multiply the dividend with the reciprocal of the divisor.
÷ = . Multiply numerator with numerator

Multiply denominator with denominator.
=
= Distributive Property
= Quotient in reduced form

Example 1: ÷
÷ = . = .
= .
= .
= .
= p(p) + p = p2 +p
Example 2:
÷
Example 2: ÷
÷ = . = .
= .
= .
=
=
1. ÷ = . = .
= .
= =
2. ÷ = . = . = .
= .
=
= =
Adding and Subtracting
Similar and Dissimilar
Rational Algebraic
Expressions
Similar Rational Algebraic
Expressions
Perform the indicated operations and reduce your answers to the
lowest form.
1. +
2. -
3. - +
Example 1 : +
Solution Step 1. Write the given as one expression.

+ =
Step 2. Combine like terms in the numerator by addition
+ =
=
Step 3. Express the sum in reduced form
+ =
Example 1 :
+
Example 1 : +
Solution:
+ =
=
=
=
= 5x - 2
Example 2 :
+
Example 2 : +
Solution:
+ =
=
=
=
=
Example 1 : -
Solution
Step 1. Rewrite 1 − 𝑥 in terms of 𝑥 − 1
1 − 𝑥 = −𝑥 + 1 Commutative Property of Addition
= −1(𝑥 − 1) Factor out −1
Step 2. Use −1(𝑥 − 1) to rewrite
= Factor out −1 to the denominator.
=
Example 1 : -
Solution
Step 3. Write the given as one expression.
- =
Step 4. Combine like terms in the numerator by subtraction.
=
= = =x+2
Example 1 : -
Dissimilar Rational Algebraic
Expressions
A. Finding Least Common Multiple (LCM) of
Monomials and Polynomials
Example 1. Find the LCM of 15𝑥2𝑦, 12𝑥𝑦,& 3𝑦2.
Solution:
Step 1. Factorize the given monomials and arrange like factors in
one column
Solution:
Step 2. Bring down each kind of factor in each column.
Solution:
Step 3. Multiply all the factors that are brought down. Their product
is the LCM.
Example 2:
Find the LCM of (𝑥2 + 2𝑥 + 1) and (2𝑥 + 2).
Example 2:
Find the LCM of 𝑥2 + 2𝑥 + 1 and 2𝑥 + 2.
Solution.
Step 1. Factorize the given monomials and arrange like factors in
one column.
Example 2:
Solution.
Step 2. Bring down each kind of factor in each column
Example 2:
Solution.
is the LCM.
Example 2:
Solution.
is the LCM.
B. Adding and Subtracting Dissimilar Rational
Example 1 : +
Solution
Step 1. Find the LCD of the expressions
Example 1 : +
Step 2. Find the equivalent expression of each of the given using the LCD as denominator.
+ =
Step 3. Proceed to perform the operation using the equivalent fractions and
using the steps of similar algebraic expressions.
+ =
=
Example 2 : +
Example 2 : +
Solution
Step 1. Find the LCD of the expressions.
Example 2 : +
+ =
=
=
1. +
2. . +
Example 3 : -
Solution
Step 1. Find the LCD of the expressions
Example 3 : -
- =
=
=
=
Example 4 : -
Example 4 : -
-
=
=
=
=
1. -
2. -

Multiplying and Dividing Rational Algebraic Expressions

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Multiplying and Dividing Rational Algebraic Expressions

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Multiplying and

. = Product (not yet reduced)

= . Divide out GCMF.

= Product in reduced form

= (𝟐)(𝒙 − 𝟐)(2)(𝑥 + 2) Factoring the Greatest Common

2𝑥 − 4 = 𝟐(𝒙 − 𝟐) Factoring the Greatest Common Monomial Factor

𝐺𝐶𝑀𝐹 = 𝟐(𝒙 − 𝟐) Look for the common factors from the

𝐺𝐶𝐹 = (𝒙 − 𝟓)(𝒙 − 𝟐) Look for common factors from the

= Divide out GCMF.

Step 3: Simplify the remaining factors.

Step 3: Multiply the dividend with the reciprocal of the divisor.

÷ = . Multiply numerator with numerator

= Quotient in reduced form

Solution Step 1. Write the given as one expression.

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