Section 7.

4 Products and Quotients of Rational Functions 671

7.4 Exercises

In Exercises 1-10, reduce the product 13.

to a single fraction in lowest terms.
x2 + 7x + 10 −9 + 10x − x2
· 2
108 6 x2 − 1 x + 9x + 20
1. ·
14 100
14.
75 18
2. · x2 + 5x x−2
63 45 · 2
x − 4 x + 6x + 5
189 12
3. ·
56 27 15.
45 63 x2 − 5x x2 + 11x + 24
4. · ·
72 64 x2 + 2x − 48 x2 − x
15 28
5. · 16.
36 100
x2 − 6x − 27 x2 + 13x + 42
189 32 ·
6. · x2 + 10x + 24 x2 − 11x + 18
49 25
21 125 17.
7. ·
100 16
−x − x2 x2 − 4x + 3
·
21 49 x2 − 9x + 8 x2 + 4x + 3
8. ·
35 45
18.
56 98
9. ·
20 32 x2 − 12x + 35 45 + 4x − x2
·
x2 + 2x − 15 x2 + x − 30
27 4
10. ·
125 12 19.

In Exercises 11-34, multiply and sim- x + 2 x2 + x − 56

·
plify. State all restrictions. 7 − x x2 + 7x + 6

11. 20.
x+6 x2 + 7x x2 − 2x − 15 x2 + 7x
· ·
x2 + 16x + 63 x + 4 x2 + x x2 + 12x + 27

12. 21.
x2 + 9x x2 − x − 20 x2 − 9 x−6
· ·
x2 − 25 −18 − 11x − x2 x2 − 4x − 45 −3 − x

1
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Version: Fall 2007

672 Chapter 7 Rational Functions

22. 32.
x2 − 12x + 27 x−5 x2 + 9x 27 + 6x − x2
· 2 ·
x−4 x − 18x + 81 x2 + 7x + 12 x2 − 5x

23. 33.
x+5 x2 − 2x − 24 5 − x x2 + 3x − 18
· ·
x2 + 12x + 32 x+7 x + 3 2x2 − 7x − 15

24. 34.
x2 − 36 −8 − x 4x2 + 21x + 5 x2 + 11x + 18
· ·
x2 + 11x + 24 x + 4 18 − 7x − x2 x2 − 25

25.
In Exercises 35-58, divide and simplify.
x−5 x2 − 12x + 36 State all restrictions.
·
x2 − 8x + 12 x−8
35.
26.
x2 − 14x + 48
x2 − 5x − 36 x − 5 x2 + 10x + 16
· 2
x−1 x − 81 −24 + 11x − x2
x2 − x − 72
27.
x2 + 2x − 15 x2 − 7x + 10 36.
·
x2 − 10x + 16 3x2 + 13x − 10 x−1 x+5
÷
x2 − 14x + 48 x2 − 3x − 18
28.
5x2 + 14x − 3 x−7 37.
· 2
x+9 x + 10x + 21 x2 − 1 x2 + 6x + 5
÷
x2 − 7x + 12 −24 + 10x − x2
29.
x2 − 4 x2 + 6x − 27 38.
·
x2 + 2x − 63 x2 − 6x − 16
x2 − 13x + 42 x2 − x − 42
÷ 2
x2 − 2x − 63 x + 8x + 7
30.
x2 + 5x + 6 x2 − 5x 39.
·
x2 − 3x x2 + 9x + 18
x2 − 25 5x2 + 23x − 10
÷
x+1 x−3
31.
x−1 x2 − 81
·
x2 + 2x − 63 x + 4

Version: Fall 2007

 Section 7.4 Products and Quotients of Rational Functions 673

40. 47.
x2 − 3x x2 + x − 30 −6 − x
÷
x2 − 7x + 6 x2 + 5x − 36 x+8
x2 − 4x
3x2 − 11x − 42 48.
2x − x2
41. x2 − 15x + 54
x2 + 10x + 21 x2 + x
x−4 x2 − 11x + 30
x2 + 3x
49.
x+8
x2 − 9x + 8
42. x2 − 9
x2 + 8x + 15 x2 + 11x + 30 x2 − 8x
÷ −15 − 8x − x2
x2 − 14x + 45 −30 + 11x − x2

43. 50.
x+5 x−2
x2 − 6x − 16 ÷
x2 + 2x + 1 x2 + 10x + 9
x2 + x − 42
x2 − 64 51.
x2 + 12x + 35
x2 − 4
44. x+8
x2 − 10x + 16
x2 + 3x + 2
x+3
x2 − 9x + 18
x2 + 7x + 6 52.
x2 − 6x
27 − 6x − x2 x2 − 12x + 27
÷
x2 + 9x + 20 x2 + 5x
45.
x2 + 12x + 35 53.
x+4
x2 + 5x + 6
x2 + 10x + 25 x2 − 36
x+9 x−7
−6 − x
46.
x2 − 8x + 7 x2 − 7x 54.
÷
x2 + 3x − 18 x2 + 6x − 27 2−x x2 + 3x − 10
÷ 2
x − 5 x − 14x + 48

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674 Chapter 7 Rational Functions

55. 61. Let

x+3 x2 + 12x + 35
x2 + 4x − 12 f (x) =
x2 + 4x − 32
x−4
and
x2 − 36
x2 − 2x − 35
g(x) =
56. x2 + 8x
x+3 x Compute f (x)/g(x) and simplify your an-
÷ 2
x2 − x − 2 x − 3x − 4 swer.

57. 62. Let

x2 − 11x + 28 7x2 − 30x + 8 x2 + 4x + 3

÷ f (x) =
x2 + 5x + 6 x2 − x − 6 x−1
and
58.
x2 − 4x − 21
x−7 g(x) =
x+5
3−x
Compute f (x)/g(x) and simplify your an-
2x2 + 3x − 5 swer.
x2 − 12x + 27
63. Let
x2 + x − 20
59. Let f (x) =
x
x2 − 7x + 10
f (x) = and
x2 + 4x − 21
x−1
and g(x) =
x2 − 2x − 35
5x − x2 Compute f (x)g(x) and simplify your an-
g(x) =
x2 + 15x + 56 swer.
Compute f (x)/g(x) and simplify your an-
swer. 64. Let
x2 + 10x + 24
60. Let f (x) =
x2 − 13x + 42
x2 + 15x + 56 and
f (x) =
x2 − x − 20
x2 − 6x − 7
and g(x) =
x2 + 8x + 12
−7 − x
g(x) = Compute f (x)g(x) and simplify your an-
x+1 swer.
Compute f (x)/g(x) and simplify your an-
swer.

Version: Fall 2007

 Section 7.4 Products and Quotients of Rational Functions 675

65. Let
x+5
f (x) =
−6 − x
and
x2 + 8x + 12
g(x) =
x2 − 49
Compute f (x)g(x) and simplify your an-
swer.

66. Let
8 − 7x − x2
f (x) =
x2 − 8x − 9
and
x2 − 6x − 7
g(x) =
x2 − 6x + 5
Compute f (x)g(x) and simplify your an-
swer.

Version: Fall 2007

Chapter 7 Rational Functions

7.4 Solutions

1.
108 6 2·2·3·3·3 2·3 3·3·3·3 81
· = · = =
14 100 2·7 2·2·5·5 7·5·5 175

3.
189 12 3·3·3·7 2·2·3 3
· = · =
56 27 2·2·2·7 3·3·3 2

5.
15 28 3·5 2·2·7 7 7
· = · = =
36 100 2·2·3·3 2·2·5·5 3·2·2·5 60

7.
21 125 3·7 5·5·5 3·7·5 105
· = · = =
100 16 2·2·5·5 2·2·2·2 2·2·2·2·2·2 64

9.
56 98 2·2·2·7 2·7·7 7·7·7 343
· = · = =
20 32 2·2·5 2·2·2·2·2 5·2·2·2 40

11. First factor the numerators and the denominators:

x+6 x(x + 7)
·
(x + 9)(x + 7) x+4
Then cancel all common factors and multiply the two remaining fractions:
x(x + 6)
(x + 9)(x + 4)
Restricted values are −9, −7, and −4.

13. First multiply −9 + 10x − x2 by −1 and also negate the fraction:

x2 + 7x + 10 x2 − 10x + 9
− · 2
x2 − 1 x + 9x + 20
Then factor the numerators and the denominators:
(x + 2)(x + 5) (x − 1)(x − 9)
− ·
(x − 1)(x + 1) (x + 4)(x + 5)

Version: Fall 2007

 Section 7.4 Products and Quotients of Rational Functions

Finally, cancel all common factors and multiply the two remaining fractions:
(x + 2)(x − 9)
−
(x + 1)(x + 4)
Restricted values are 1, −1, −4, and −5.

15. First factor the numerators and the denominators:

x(x − 5) (x + 8)(x + 3)
·
(x + 8)(x − 6) x(x − 1)
Then cancel all common factors and multiply the two remaining fractions:
(x − 5)(x + 3)
(x − 6)(x − 1)
Restricted values are −8, 6, 1, and 0.

17. First multiply −x − x2 by −1 and also negate the fraction:

x2 + x x2 − 4x + 3
− ·
x2 − 9x + 8 x2 + 4x + 3
Then factor the numerators and the denominators:
x(x + 1) (x − 1)(x − 3)
− ·
(x − 1)(x − 8) (x + 3)(x + 1)
Finally, cancel all common factors and multiply the two remaining fractions:
x(x − 3)
−
(x − 8)(x + 3)
Restricted values are 1, 8, −3, and −1.

19. First multiply 7 − x by −1 and also negate the fraction:

x + 2 x2 + x − 56
− ·
x − 7 x2 + 7x + 6
Then factor the numerators and the denominators:
x + 2 (x − 7)(x + 8)
− ·
x − 7 (x + 1)(x + 6)
Finally, cancel all common factors and multiply the two remaining fractions:
(x + 2)(x + 8)
−
(x + 1)(x + 6)
Restricted values are 7, −1, and −6.

Version: Fall 2007

Chapter 7 Rational Functions

21. First multiply −3 − x by −1 and also negate the fraction:

x2 − 9 x−6
− ·
x2 − 4x − 45 x + 3
Then factor the numerators and the denominators:
(x + 3)(x − 3) x − 6
− ·
(x + 5)(x − 9) x + 3
Finally, cancel all common factors and multiply the two remaining fractions:
(x − 3)(x − 6)
−
(x + 5)(x − 9)
Restricted values are −3, −5, and 9.

23. First factor the numerators and the denominators:

x+5 (x − 6)(x + 4)
·
(x + 8)(x + 4) x+7
Then cancel all common factors and multiply the two remaining fractions:
(x + 5)(x − 6)
(x + 8)(x + 7)
Restricted values are −8, −4, and −7.

25. First factor the numerators and the denominators:

x−5 (x − 6)2
·
(x − 2)(x − 6) x−8
Then cancel all common factors and multiply the two remaining fractions:
(x − 5)(x − 6)
(x − 2)(x − 8)
Restricted values are 2, 6, and 8.

27. First factor the numerators and the denominators:

(x − 3)(x + 5) (x − 2)(x − 5)
·
(x − 2)(x − 8) (3x − 2)(x + 5)
Then cancel all common factors and multiply the two remaining fractions:
(x − 3)(x − 5)
(3x − 2)(x − 8)
Restricted values are 2, 8, 2/3, and −5.

Version: Fall 2007

 Section 7.4 Products and Quotients of Rational Functions

29. First factor the numerators and the denominators:

(x − 2)(x + 2) (x + 9)(x − 3)
·
(x + 9)(x − 7) (x − 8)(x + 2)
Then cancel all common factors and multiply the two remaining fractions:
(x − 2)(x − 3)
(x − 7)(x − 8)
Restricted values are −9, 7, 8, and −2.

31. First factor the numerators and the denominators:

x−1 (x − 9)(x + 9)
·
(x − 7)(x + 9) x+4
Then cancel all common factors and multiply the two remaining fractions:
(x − 1)(x − 9)
(x − 7)(x + 4)
Restricted values are 7, −9, and −4.

33. First multiply 5 − x by −1 and also negate the fraction:

x − 5 x2 + 3x − 18
− ·
x + 3 2x2 − 7x − 15
Then factor the numerators and the denominators:
x − 5 (x + 6)(x − 3)
− ·
x + 3 (2x + 3)(x − 5)
Finally, cancel all common factors and multiply the two remaining fractions:
(x + 6)(x − 3)
−
(2x + 3)(x + 3)
Restricted values are −3, −3/2, and 5.

35. First rewrite as a multiplication problem:

x2 − 14x + 48 x2 − x − 72
·
x2 + 10x + 16 −24 + 11x − x2
Then multiply −24 + 11x − x2 by −1 and also negate the fraction:
x2 − 14x + 48 x2 − x − 72
− ·
x2 + 10x + 16 x2 − 11x + 24
Then factor the numerators and the denominators:
(x − 6)(x − 8) (x + 8)(x − 9)
− ·
(x + 8)(x + 2) (x − 3)(x − 8)

Version: Fall 2007

Chapter 7 Rational Functions

Finally, cancel all common factors and multiply the two remaining fractions:
(x − 6)(x − 9)
−
(x + 2)(x − 3)
Restricted values are −8, −2, 9, 3, and 8.

37. First rewrite as a multiplication problem:

x2 − 1 −24 + 10x − x2
·
x2 − 7x + 12 x2 + 6x + 5
Then multiply −24 + 10x − x2 by −1 and also negate the fraction:
x2 − 1 x2 − 10x + 24
− ·
x2 − 7x + 12 x2 + 6x + 5
Then factor the numerators and the denominators:
(x − 1)(x + 1) (x − 4)(x − 6)
− ·
(x − 4)(x − 3) (x + 5)(x + 1)
Finally, cancel all common factors and multiply the two remaining fractions:
(x − 1)(x − 6)
−
(x − 3)(x + 5)
Restricted values are 4, 3, 6, −5, and −1.

39. First factor the numerators and the denominators, and rewrite as a multiplication
problem:
(x − 5)(x + 5) x−3
·
x+1 (5x − 2)(x + 5)
Then cancel all common factors and multiply the two remaining fractions:
(x − 5)(x − 3)
(5x − 2)(x + 1)
Restricted values are −1, 2/5, −5, and 3.

41. First factor the numerators and the denominators, and rewrite as a multiplication
problem:
(x + 7)(x + 3) x+8
·
x−4 x(x + 3)
Then cancel all common factors and multiply the two remaining fractions:
(x + 7)(x + 8)
x(x − 4)
Restricted values are 4, 0, −3, and −8.

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 Section 7.4 Products and Quotients of Rational Functions

43. First factor the numerators and the denominators, and rewrite as a multiplication
problem:
(x + 2)(x − 8) (x + 7)(x + 5)
·
(x + 7)(x − 6) (x + 8)(x − 8)
Then cancel all common factors and multiply the two remaining fractions:
(x + 2)(x + 5)
(x − 6)(x + 8)
Restricted values are −7, 6, −5, −8, and 8.

45. First factor the numerators and the denominators, and rewrite as a multiplication
problem:
(x + 7)(x + 5) x+9
·
x+4 (x + 5)2
Then cancel all common factors and multiply the two remaining fractions:
(x + 7)(x + 9)
(x + 4)(x + 5)
Restricted values are −4, −5, and −9.

47. First rewrite as a multiplication problem:

x2 + x − 30 x+8
2
·
x + 5x − 36 −6 − x
Then multiply −6 − x by −1 and also negate the fraction:
x2 + x − 30 x + 8
− ·
x2 + 5x − 36 x + 6
Then factor the numerators and the denominators:
(x + 6)(x − 5) x + 8
− ·
(x − 4)(x + 9) x + 6
Finally, cancel all common factors and multiply the two remaining fractions:
(x − 5)(x + 8)
−
(x − 4)(x + 9)
Restricted values are 4, −9, −8, and −6.

Version: Fall 2007

Chapter 7 Rational Functions

49. First rewrite as a multiplication problem:

x2 − 9x + 8 −15 − 8x − x2
·
x2 − 9 x2 − 8x
Then multiply −15 − 8x − x2 by −1 and also negate the fraction:
x2 − 9x + 8 x2 + 8x + 15
− ·
x2 − 9 x2 − 8x
Then factor the numerators and the denominators:
(x − 1)(x − 8) (x + 3)(x + 5)
− ·
(x + 3)(x − 3) x(x − 8)
Finally, cancel all common factors and multiply the two remaining fractions:
(x − 1)(x + 5)
−
x(x − 3)
Restricted values are −3, 3, −5, 0, and 8.

51. First factor the numerators and the denominators, and rewrite as a multiplication
problem:
(x + 2)(x − 2) x+3
·
x+8 (x − 8)(x − 2)
Then cancel all common factors and multiply the two remaining fractions:
(x + 2)(x + 3)
(x + 8)(x − 8)
Restricted values are −8, 8, 2, and −3.

53. First rewrite as a multiplication problem:

x2 + 5x + 6 −6 − x
·
x2 − 36 x−7
Then multiply −6 − x by −1 and also negate the fraction:
x2 + 5x + 6 x + 6
− ·
x2 − 36 x−7
Then factor the numerators and the denominators:
(x + 2)(x + 3) x + 6
− ·
(x − 6)(x + 6) x − 7
Finally, cancel all common factors and multiply the two remaining fractions:
(x + 2)(x + 3)
−
(x − 6)(x − 7)
Restricted values are 6, −6, and 7.

Version: Fall 2007

 Section 7.4 Products and Quotients of Rational Functions

55. First factor the numerators and the denominators, and rewrite as a multiplication
problem:
x+3 (x − 6)(x + 6)
·
(x − 2)(x + 6) x−4
Then cancel all common factors and multiply the two remaining fractions:
(x + 3)(x − 6)
(x − 2)(x − 4)
Restricted values are 2, −6, 4, and 6.

57. First factor the numerators and the denominators, and rewrite as a multiplication
problem:
(x − 7)(x − 4) (x + 2)(x − 3)
·
(x + 2)(x + 3) (7x − 2)(x − 4)
Then cancel all common factors and multiply the two remaining fractions:
(x − 7)(x − 3)
(7x − 2)(x + 3)
Restricted values are −2, −3, 3, 2/7, and 4.

59.
f (x) x2 − 7x + 10 x2 + 15x + 56
= 2 ·
g(x) x + 4x − 21 5x − x2

First multiply 5x − x2 by −1 and also negate the fraction:

x2 − 7x + 10 x2 + 15x + 56
− ·
x2 + 4x − 21 x2 − 5x
Then factor the numerators and the denominators:
(x − 2)(x − 5) (x + 7)(x + 8)
− ·
(x + 7)(x − 3) x(x − 5)
Finally, cancel all common factors and multiply the two remaining fractions:
(x − 2)(x + 8)
−
x(x − 3)
Restricted values are −7, 3, −8, 0, and 5.

Version: Fall 2007

Chapter 7 Rational Functions

61.
f (x) x2 + 12x + 35 x2 + 8x
= 2 · 2
g(x) x + 4x − 32 x − 2x − 35
Factor the numerators and the denominators:
(x + 7)(x + 5) x(x + 8)
·
(x + 8)(x − 4) (x − 7)(x + 5)
Then cancel all common factors and multiply the two remaining fractions:
x(x + 7)
(x − 4)(x − 7)
Restricted values are −8, 4, 0, 7, and −5.

63.
x2 + x − 20 x−1
f (x)g(x) = · 2
x x − 2x − 35
First factor the numerators and the denominators:
(x − 4)(x + 5) x−1
·
x (x − 7)(x + 5)
Then cancel all common factors and multiply the two remaining fractions:
(x − 4)(x − 1)
x(x − 7)
Restricted values are 0, 7, and −5.

65.
x + 5 x2 + 8x + 12
f (x)g(x) = ·
−6 − x x2 − 49
First multiply −6 − x by −1 and also negate the fraction:
x + 5 x2 + 8x + 12
− ·
x+6 x2 − 49
Then factor the numerators and the denominators:
x + 5 (x + 6)(x + 2)
− ·
x + 6 (x + 7)(x − 7)
Finally, cancel all common factors and multiply the two remaining fractions:
(x + 5)(x + 2)
−
(x + 7)(x − 7)
Restricted values are −6, −7, and 7.

Version: Fall 2007