10.

1 Simplifying Rational
Expressions

• Goal: factor and cancel out common

factors in the numerator and denominator
Simplifying Rational Expressions
• A “rational expression” is the quotient of
two polynomials. (division)

2n x  3x  10
2

n2 3x  2
 Simplifying Rational Expressions
• A rational expression is in simplest form
when the numerator and denominator have
no common factors (other than 1)

REVIEW:
9 3 3 3
Simplify  
15 3 5 5
Simplifying Rational Expressions
• Factors and addends 3 3
are different Simplify
• Factors are things 3 5
multiplied together
• Addends are things
added together
CAN ONLY CANCEL
OUT FACTORS
 How to get a rational expression in
simplest form…
• Factor the numerator completely
• Factor the denominator completely
• Cancel out any common factors (not
addends)
 Factor
5 x  10 5x  2 
Simplify : 
5x 5x


 x  2

x2
x x
 y  3y  2
2
Simplify :
y 1
2

 y  1 y  2 
 y  1 y  1
y2

y 1
 12 y  24
Simplify :
48 y
12  y  2 
12 4 y 
y2

4y
 2x  x
2
Simplify : 2
3x  2 x
 x  2 x  1
 x 3x  2 
2x 1

3x  2
 a 9
2
Simplify: 2
a  2a  15
 a  3 a  3
 a  5 a  3
a 1

2a  1
 x4
Simplify :
4 x
x  4 
 1x  4 
1
  1
1