Simplifying

Rational Expressions

Section 11.3
Simplifying Rational Expressions
 The objective is to be able to simplify a
rational expression

5 3x
2
x + 2 x − 9
 Polynomial – The sum or difference of monomials.
 Rational expression – A fraction whose numerator
and denominator are polynomials.
 Reduced form – a rational expression in which the
numerator and denominator have no factors in
common.
 Divide out the
common factors

 Factor the
numerator and
denominator and
then divide the
common factors
 Dividing Out Common Factors

Step 1 – Identify any factors which are common to both the

5x The numerator and denominator have

5x x
=
5(x − 7 ) x − 7
Factoring the Numerator
and Denominator
 Factor the numerator.
 Factor the denominator.
 Divide out the common factors.
 Write in simplified form.

2
3x + 9x
3
12x
 Factoring
Step 1: Look for common factors
to both terms in the numerator.

2
3x + 9x ♦3 is a factor of both 3 and 9.
3
12x ♦X is a factor of both x2 and x.

Step 2: Factor the numerator.

3x 2
+ 9x 3x ( x + 3)
3 3
12x 12 x
 Factoring
Step 3: Look for common factors to the
terms in the denominator and factor.
 The denominator only has one term.
2
3x + 9x The 12 and x3 can be factored.
3  The 12 can be factored into 3 x 4.
12x
 The x3 can be written as x • x2.

3x 2
+ 9x 3x(x +3)
12x 3
3 •4 • x • x2
 Divide and Simplify
Step 4: Divide out the common factors. In this
case, the common factors divide to become 1.

3x(x + 3)
2
3 • 4 • x • x
Step 5: Write in simplified form.

x +3
2
4x
 You Try It
Simplify the following rational expressions.
9 x 2yz x 2
− 2x − 15
1. 2 4.
24 xyz x 2
− x − 12
a + 3
2. 2
a + 4a + 3 2
14x + 35x + 21
5. 2
3x − 15 12x + 30x + 18
3. 2
x − 7x + 10
 Problem 1
2
9 x yz
24 xyz 2 = 3 • 3 •x •x • y • z
3 •8 • x • y •z •z
Factor the numerator
and denominator

3 • x • y •z 3 • x
•
Divide out the
common factors.
3 • x • y •z 8 • z
3x 3x
1 • = Write in simplified
form.
8z 8z
 You Try It

Problem 2
a + 3
a 2
+ 4a + 3
= a + 3
(a + 3 )( a + 1)
Factor the numerator
and denominator

a + 3 1
• Divide out the
a + 3 a +1 common factors.

1 •
1
a +1
= 1
a +1
Write in simplified
form.
 You Try It

Problem 3

3x − 15 3(x − 5)
x2 − 7x + 10
= ( x − 5 )( x − 2 )
Factor the numerator
and denominator

x − 5 3
•
Divide out the

x − 5 x − 2 common factors.

3 3
1 • = Write in simplified

x − 2 x − 2 form.
 You Try It

Problem 4
2
( x − 5 )( x + 3 )
x − 2x − 15
=
Factor the numerator
and denominator
x2 − x − 12 ( x − 4 )( x + 3 )
x + 3 x − 5
•
Divide out the
common factors.
x + 3 x − 4
x − 5 x − 5
1 •
x − 4
= x − 4
Write in simplified
form.
 You Try It

Problem 5
2
14x + 35x + 21 7 (2 x 2 + 5x + 3)
2
= 2
Factor the numerator
and denominator
12x + 30x + 18 6(2 x + 6x + 3)

(2 x 2
+ 5x + 3) 7 Divide out the
2 • common factors.
(2 x + 6x + 3) 6
7 7
1 • = Write in simplified
form.
6 6
 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 + x2
Simplify : 2
3x + 2 x
( x ) ( 2 x + 1)
( x ) ( 3x + 2 )
2x +1
=
3x + 2
 a −92
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
12.1 – Simplifying Rational Expressions
Simplifying

x +x 4 3
q+5
5x + 5 q − 25
2

x 3
( x + 1) q+5
5 ( x + 1) ( q + 5)( q − 5)
3
x 1
5 q −5
12.1 – Simplifying Rational Expressions
Simplifying

x + 11x + 18
2

x + x−2
2

( x + 2) ( x + 9)
( x + 2 ) ( x − 1)
( x + 9)
( x − 1)
12.1 – Simplifying Rational Expressions
Simplifying

x−4
4− x
x−4
−x + 4
x−4
= −1
−1 ( x − 4 )
 Restrictions on
Rational Expressions
2
For what value of x is x − 2 x − 1 5 undefined?
4x − 20
It is undefined for any value of “x” which makes the
denominator zero.

4x − 20 = 0
4 (x − 5) = 0 The restriction is
x − 5 = 0 that x cannot
x − 5 + 5 = 0 + 5 equal 5.
x = 5
 YOU TRY IT
What are the excluded values of the variables for
the following rational expressions?

3 2
42y z
1.
14y2z 3

x2 − 36
2.
2x − 12
2
c + 4c − 12
3. 2
c + 2c − 8
 Problem 1

Solution
y ≠ 0
z ≠ 0
 Problem 2
Solution
ANSWER
2x - 12 = 0
x ≠ 6
2x - 12 + 12 = 0 + 12
2x = 12
2x ÷ 2 = 12 ÷ 2
x = 6
 Problem 3
Solution
Answer
C2 + 2C - 8 = 0
C≠2
(C-2)(C+4) = 0
C ≠ -4
C-2 = 0 or C+4=0
C-2+2 = 0 + 2 C+4-4=0-4
C = 2 or C = -4