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Rational Expressions

This document discusses rational expressions and how to simplify them. It defines a rational expression as a ratio with polynomials in the numerator and denominator. Variables in the denominator can cause the expression to be undefined if the denominator equals zero. To simplify a rational expression, one should fully factor the numerator and denominator and then divide out any common factors. The document provides examples of identifying values where expressions are undefined and simplifying rational expressions.

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Razzler Dazzler
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27K views2 pages

Rational Expressions

This document discusses rational expressions and how to simplify them. It defines a rational expression as a ratio with polynomials in the numerator and denominator. Variables in the denominator can cause the expression to be undefined if the denominator equals zero. To simplify a rational expression, one should fully factor the numerator and denominator and then divide out any common factors. The document provides examples of identifying values where expressions are undefined and simplifying rational expressions.

Uploaded by

Razzler Dazzler
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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NAME:_________________________

2
A rational number is a fraction, like . A rational expression is a ratio in which the numerator and
5
2x 3
denominator may both be polynomials, like . We need to be careful about having variables
2 x 5x 3 2

in the denominator. Certain values for the variable will cause division by zero. In this case the
expression is undefined.

EXAMPLE: Find all numbers for which each rational expression is undefined.
2x 3 2x 3

2 x 5 x 3 2 x 3 x 1
2

The expression is undefined if the denominator is zero. We have two factors that may cause this:
2 x 3 x 1 0
2 x 3 0 or x 1 0
3
x or x 1
2

Find all numbers for which each rational expression is undefined.

2 3x 9 14 x 3 x 2 9 x 2 3x 5
a.) b.) c.) d.) e.)
x4 x5 x 2 16 6x x 2
2
x 4
2

Notice that it is the denominator that we are worried about. The numerator doesnt even have to be
considered.

SIMPLIFYING RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS:


A rational expression can be simplified by dividing out common factors shared by its numerator and
denominator. For example,
585 3 3 5 13 3 5 15

273 3 7 13 7 7
We cant cancel common terms: We can cancel common factors:
3 x 9 3x 9 1x 9 3 x 9 3 ( x 3)
WRONG x9 RIGHT x3
3 3 1 3 3

TO SIMPLIFY A RATIONAL EXPRESSION


1.) Factor the numerator and denominator completely
2.) Divide out all the common factors

EXAMPLE: Simplify
x 2 3 x 10 x 5 x 2 x 2

x 2 2 x 15 x 5 x 3 x 3
Factor Divide
a) Identify where the expression is undefined.

1
3ab y2 5y 4 3x 2 8x 3 x 3 6 x 2 5x
a.) b) c.) d)
a2 a y2 4y 5 x2 9 x 3 25 x

Simplify the following expressions. If possible, state where the expression is undefined.
4 b3 b4 r 2 16
d.) e.) f.) 2 g.)
4 2b 6 b 7b 12 r r 8 16

3x 9 3x 3 x9 3 x 12
h.) i.) j.) k.)
3 9 9 3x

y2 x2 2 x 1 2 x 2 18 x 36 x2 2 x
l.) m.) n.) o.)
y 5y 6
2
x2 1 x2 9 x2 x 6

x4 5x p2 7 p 6
p.) q.) r.)**** ****
x 4x2 2x 8
3
15 x 20 x 50
2
p3 6 p2 p 6

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