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10 - 1 Simplifying Rational Expressions Trout 09

The document provides instructions for simplifying rational expressions by factoring the numerator and denominator completely to find common factors that can be cancelled out. It defines a rational expression as the quotient of two polynomials, and states that the simplest form occurs when the numerator and denominator have no common factors other than 1. Examples are provided of factoring various rational expressions and cancelling common factors to simplify.

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Vehid Kurtić
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276 views14 pages

10 - 1 Simplifying Rational Expressions Trout 09

The document provides instructions for simplifying rational expressions by factoring the numerator and denominator completely to find common factors that can be cancelled out. It defines a rational expression as the quotient of two polynomials, and states that the simplest form occurs when the numerator and denominator have no common factors other than 1. Examples are provided of factoring various rational expressions and cancelling common factors to simplify.

Uploaded by

Vehid Kurtić
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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10.

1 Simplifying Rational
Expressions

• Goal: to simplify a rational expression


Simplifying Rational Expressions
• A “rational expression” is the quotient of
two polynomials. (division)

2n x  3x  10
2

n2 3x  2
Simplifying Rational Expressions
• A “rational expression” is the quotient of
two polynomials. (division)
• A rational expression is in simplest form
when the numerator and denominator have
no common factors (other than 1)

9 3 3 3
Simplify  
15 3 5 5
Simplifying Rational Expressions
• A “rational expression” is the quotient of
two polynomials. (division)
• A rational expression is in simplest Form
when the numerator and denominator have
no common factors (other than 1)

3 3
Simplify
3 5
How to get a rational expression in
simplest form…
• Factor the numerator completely (factor out
a common factor, difference of 2 squares,
bottoms up)
• Factor the denominator completely (factor
out a common factor, difference of 2
squares, bottoms up)
• Cancel out any common factors (not
addends)
Difference between a factor and an
addend
• A factor is in between a multiplication sign
• An addend is in between an addition or
subtraction sign
Example:
x+3 3x + 9
x–9 6x + 3
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
Mrs. Rodriguez’s Shortcut

a-b = -1
b-a
Page 434

2-30 even

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