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10 - 1 Simplifying Rational Expressions

This document discusses how to simplify rational expressions by factoring the numerator and denominator completely and cancelling out any common factors between them. It provides examples of factoring polynomials and rational expressions and simplifying the expressions by cancelling common factors. The goal is to write the rational expression in simplest form with no common factors between the numerator and denominator.

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DENNIS VOCES
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308 views14 pages

10 - 1 Simplifying Rational Expressions

This document discusses how to simplify rational expressions by factoring the numerator and denominator completely and cancelling out any common factors between them. It provides examples of factoring polynomials and rational expressions and simplifying the expressions by cancelling common factors. The goal is to write the rational expression in simplest form with no common factors between the numerator and denominator.

Uploaded by

DENNIS VOCES
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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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  x
2
Simplify : 2
3x  2 x
 x  2 x  1
 x  3x  2 
2x 1

3x  2
a 9
2
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

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