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Algebra and trigonometry
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
.
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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.
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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.
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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
explain the basic method of power of power rule under indices.
(Pcos∅+qsin∅)/(pcos∅-psin∅)
how to answer the activity
how to solve the activity
Chabelita
solve for X,,4^X-6(2^)-16=0
sobhan Singh jina uniwarcity tignomatry ka long answers tile questions
t he silly nut company makes two mixtures of nuts: mixture a and mixture b. a pound of mixture a contains 12 oz of peanuts, 3 oz of almonds and 1 oz of cashews and sells for $4. a pound of mixture b contains 12 oz of peanuts, 2 oz of almonds and 2 oz of cashews and sells for $5. the company has 1080
If
, ,
are the roots of the equation
3 2 0,
x px qx r
Find the value of
1
.
Parts of a pole were painted red, blue and yellow. 3/5 of the pole was red and 7/8 was painted blue. What part was painted yellow?
Parts of the pole was painted red, blue and yellow. 3 /5 of the pole was red and 7 /8 was painted blue. What part was painted yellow?
Patrick
how I can simplify algebraic expressions
Lairene and Mae are joking that their combined ages equal Sam’s age. If Lairene is twice Mae’s age and Sam is 69 yrs old, what are Lairene’s and Mae’s ages?
lairenea's age is 23yrs
ACKA
Laurene is 46 yrs and Mae is 23 is
Solomon
age does not matter
christopher
solve for X, 4^x-6(2*)-16=0
Alieu
prove`x^3-3x-2cosA=0
(-π<A<=π
create a lesson plan about this lesson
Source:
OpenStax, Algebra and trigonometry. OpenStax CNX. Nov 14, 2016 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11758/1.6
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