9.

1 Multiplying and Dividing

Rational Expressions
Complex fractions
Definition of a Rational Expression
In mathematics, a rational function is any
function which can be written as the ratio
of two polynomial functions.
 Since they are fractions
Simplify a Rational Expression.
3 yy  7

y  7 y  9
2

Divide the same expression from numerator
and denominator
 Since they are fractions
Simplify a Rational Expression.
3 yy  7

y  7 y  9
2

Divide the same expression from numerator
and denominator
3 yy  7 3y
 2
 
y  7 y  9 y  9
2
 Since they are fractions
There are numbers that will not work in the
Rational expression.

3 yy  7 3y
 2
 
y  7 y  9 y  9
2

They are -7, 3 and -3. Why?

 Since they are fractions
Factor out the denominator.
3 yy  7
 y  7  y  3 y  3
Can you see why -7, 3 and -3 do not work
as answers?
 Since they are fractions
Factor out the denominator.
3 yy  7
 y  7  y  3 y  3
-7, 3 and -3 do not work as answers
because they make the denominator zero.

They are called Excluded Values.

 Simplify
Assume the denominator cannot equal zero.
4 4
a b  2a
3 3
2a  a b
 Simplify
Assume the denominator cannot equal zero.

4
a b  2a a b  2 
4 4

2a  a b a 2  b 
3 3 3

Factor out a negative one to move things

around
 Simplify
Assume the denominator cannot equal zero.
4
a b  2a a b  2 
4 4
 3
2a  a b a 2  b 
3 3

 a 2  b 
4

a 2  b 
3
 Simplify
Assume the denominator cannot equal zero.
4
a b  2a a b  2 
4 4
 3
2a  a b a 2  b 
3 3

 a 2  b   a
4 4
 3  a
a 2  b 
3
a
 Multiply the fractions
Reduce to simplest form

12 5

7 3
 Multiply the fractions
Reduce to simplest form.
Multiply straight across

12 5 60
 
7 3 21
 Multiply the fractions
Reduce to simplest form

12 5 60 3 20
   
7 3 21 3 7
 Multiply the fractions
Reduce to simplest form.
12 5 60 3 20
   
7 3 21 3 7
What happened here
4 5 20
 
7 1 7
 Multiply the fractions
Reduce before multiply.
2
8x 7 y
3
 3
21 y 16 x
 Multiply the fractions
Reduce before multiply.
2
8x 7 y
3
 3
21 y 16 x

1 1 1
 2  2
3y 2x 6x y
 Multiply the fractions
Reduce before multiply.
4 2
5a c 24bc
 3 2
12b 15a b
 Multiply the fractions
Reduce before multiply.
4 2
5a c 24bc
 3 2
12b 15a b

2 3
ac 2c 2ac
 2  2
1 3b 3b
 Multiply the fractions
Reduce before multiply.
2
k 3 1 k
 2
k  1 k  4k  3
 Multiply the fractions
Reduce before multiply.
k 3 1 k 2
 2
k  1 k  4k  3

k  3   k 2  1
k  1 k  3k  1
 Multiply the fractions
Reduce before multiply.
2
k 3 1 k
 2
k  1 k  4k  3

k  3   k 2  1
k  1 k  3k  1

k  3   1k  1k  1  1   1  1
k  1 k  3k  1 1 1
 What is the difference of Division
and Multiply of fractions?
Do you remember?

2 3

7 4
 What is the difference of Division
and Multiply of fractions?
When dividing you multiply by the inverse of
the second fraction.
2 3

7 4

2 4 8
 
7 3 21
Divide the Rational Expressions
You can only Reduce when Multiplying
2
10 px 5 px
2
 2 2
3c d 6c d
Divide the Rational Expressions
You can only Reduce when Multiplying
2
10 px 5 px
2
 2 2
3c d 6c d

2 2 2
10 px 6c d 2 x 2d
2
    4dx
3c d 5 px 1 1
 Definition of Complex fraction
A fraction with fractions in the numerator or
denominator.
1
3
5
7
How to simplify a Complex fraction
Remember fractions are division statements.

1
3  15 17  7
5 3 7 3 5 15
7
 Simplify the Complex fraction
Remember fractions are division statements.

 2
x 
 2 2 

 9x  4 y 
 x 3

 
 2 y  3x 
 Simplify the Complex fraction
Remember fractions are division statements.

 2
x 
 2 2 

 9x  4 y  
2 3
x x
2 2

 x3  9x  4 y 2 y  3x
 
 2 y  3x 
Simplify the Complex fraction
2 3 2
x x x 2 y  3x
2 2
  2 2
 3
9x  4 y 2 y  3x 9x  4 y x
Simplify the Complex fraction
2 3 2
x x x 2 y  3x
2 2
  2 2
 3
9x  4 y 2 y  3x 9x  4 y x

x 2
 13 x  2 y 

3x  2 y 3x  2 y  x 3
 Simplify the Complex fraction
2 3 2
x x x 2 y  3x
2 2
  2 2

9x  4 y 2 y  3x 9x  4 y x3
x 2
 13x  2 y 

3x  2 y 3x  2 y  x 3

1 1 1
 
3x  2 y  x x3x  2 y 
 Homework
Page 476 – 477
# 15,19, 23,
27, 31, 35,
37, 41
 Homework
Page 476 – 477
# 16,20, 24,
28, 32, 36,
38, 40