Home
College algebra
Prerequisites
Rational expressions
How To
Given a complex rational expression, simplify it.
Combine the expressions in the numerator into a single rational expression by adding or subtracting.
Combine the expressions in the denominator into a single rational expression by adding or subtracting.
Rewrite as the numerator divided by the denominator.
Rewrite as multiplication.
Multiply.
Simplify.
Simplifying complex rational expressions
Simplify:
y
+
1
x
x
y .
Begin by combining the expressions in the numerator into one expression.
y
⋅
x
x
+
1
x
Multiply by
x
x
to get LCD as denominator
.
x
y
x
+
1
x
x
y
+
1
x
Add numerators
.
Now the numerator is a single rational expression and the denominator is a single rational expression.
x
y
+
1
x
x
y
We can rewrite this as division, and then multiplication.
x
y
+
1
x
÷
x
y
x
y
+
1
x
⋅
y
x
Rewrite as multiplication
.
y
(
x
y
+
1
)
x
2
Multiply
.
Got questions? Get instant answers now! Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Q&A
Can a complex rational expression always be simplified?
Yes. We can always rewrite a complex rational expression as a simplified rational expression.
Key concepts
Rational expressions can be simplified by cancelling common factors in the numerator and denominator. See
[link] .
We can multiply rational expressions by multiplying the numerators and multiplying the denominators. See
[link] .
To divide rational expressions, multiply by the reciprocal of the second expression. See
[link] .
Adding or subtracting rational expressions requires finding a common denominator. See
[link] and
[link] .
Complex rational expressions have fractions in the numerator or the denominator. These expressions can be simplified. See
[link] .
Section exercises
Verbal
How can you use factoring to simplify rational expressions?
You can factor the numerator and denominator to see if any of the terms can cancel one another out.
Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Tell whether the following statement is true or false and explain why: You only need to find the LCD when adding or subtracting rational expressions.
True. Multiplication and division do not require finding the LCD because the denominators can be combined through those operations, whereas addition and subtraction require like terms.
Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Algebraic
For the following exercises, simplify the rational expressions.
For the following exercises, multiply the rational expressions and express the product in simplest form.
Questions & Answers
calculate molarity of NaOH solution when 25.0ml of NaOH titrated with 27.2ml of 0.2m H2SO4
the study of the heat energy which is associated with chemical reactions
Kaddija
How was CH4 and o2 was able to produce (Co2)and (H2o
First twenty elements with their valences
what is the best way to define periodic table for jamb
what is the change of matter from one state to another
what is isolation of organic compounds
Read Chapter 6, section 5
Dr
Read Chapter 6, section 5
Kareem
Atomic radius is the radius of the atom and is also called the orbital radius
Kareem
atomic radius is the distance between the nucleus of an atom and its valence shell
Amos
Read Chapter 6, section 5
paulino
Bohr's model of the theory atom
when a gas is compressed why it becomes hot?
ATOMIC
It has no oxygen then
Goldyei
read the chapter on thermochemistry...the sections on "PV" work and the First Law of Thermodynamics should help..
Dr
Which element react with water
an increase in the pressure of a gas results in the decrease of its
definition of the periodic table
what were atoms composed of?
Got questions? Join the online conversation and get instant answers!
Source:
OpenStax, College algebra. OpenStax CNX. Feb 06, 2015 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11759/1.3
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.