Rational Expressions

Christopher F. Santos

Algebra Lecture 4
De La Salle University

Christopher F. Santos

Rational Expressions

DLSU Algebra Lecture 4

1/6

Rational Expressions

A rational expression is a quotient of two polynomials.

A rational expression is well-defined if its denominator
is not equal to zero.
Example:
x2 4
x2 4
=
; x 6= 2
x 2 4x + 4 (x 2)2

Christopher F. Santos

Rational Expressions

DLSU Algebra Lecture 4

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Simplifying Rational Expressions

To simplify rational expressions, we use the property
ax
a
= .
bx
b
A rational expression is in lowest terms if the
numerator and denominator have no common factor
other than 1 or 1.
To reduce a rational expression to lowest terms:
Factor both numerator and denominator.
Cancel the common factors.
Christopher F. Santos

Rational Expressions

DLSU Algebra Lecture 4

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Simplifying Rational Expressions

Examples:
36x 2 y 5
x2 4
1.
3. 2
30xy 7
x 4x + 4
6x 2 y 3 12x 3 y 2 + 15x 2 y 2
2.
3xy 2
In Example 3, we saw that
x2 4
x +2
and
x 2 4x + 4
x 2
are equivalent expressions. This means that they
have the same value for all numbers that are in both
domains.
Christopher F. Santos

Rational Expressions

DLSU Algebra Lecture 4

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Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions

To multiply rational expressions, we use the property:

a c
ac
=
b d
bd
To divide, we use
a d
ad
a c
= =
b d
b c
bc

Christopher F. Santos

Rational Expressions

DLSU Algebra Lecture 4

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Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions

Examples:
1

3x 5 6y 3

4y 6 9x 2

x 2 x 15 x 2 6x + 9

x2 9
12 4x

y3 1
y2 + y + 1

y 2 1 y 2 + 2y + 1

Christopher F. Santos

Rational Expressions

DLSU Algebra Lecture 4

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Least Common Denominator

The least common denominator (LCD) of two or more

rational expressions is the polynomial of smallest
degree that is a multiple of all the given denominators.
To get the LCD of rational expressions, factor each
denominator and form the product that uses each
factor the greatest number of times it occurs in any
factorization.

Christopher F. Santos

Rational Expressions

DLSU Algebra Lecture 4

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Least Common Denominator

Examples:
1
The LCD of
x
5
and
x 2 + 11x + 30
x 2 + 9x + 20
is
(x + 4)(x + 5)(x + 6).
2

The LCD of
x
6x + 6
x +1
, 2
, and
x +3 x 9
x 3
is x 2 9.
Christopher F. Santos

Rational Expressions

DLSU Algebra Lecture 4

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Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions

When rational expressions have the same

denominator, we can add or subtract by adding or
subtracting the numerators and retaining the common
denominator.
If the denominators differ, we must find equivalent
rational expressions that have a common
denominator. In general, it is most efficient to find the
LCD of the expressions.

Christopher F. Santos

Rational Expressions

DLSU Algebra Lecture 4

9/6

Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions

Examples:
1

5
x 6
x

=
x 2 + 11x + 30 x 2 + 9x + 20 (x + 4)(x + 6)

x
6x + 6 x + 1 2x + 1
2
+
=
x +3 x 9 x 3
x +3

Christopher F. Santos

Rational Expressions

DLSU Algebra Lecture 4

10 / 6

Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions

Examples:
1

x 6
5
x
=

x 2 + 11x + 30 x 2 + 9x + 20 (x + 4)(x + 6)

x
6x + 6 x + 1 2x + 1
2
+
=
x +3 x 9 x 3
x +3

Christopher F. Santos

Rational Expressions

DLSU Algebra Lecture 4

10 / 6

Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions

Examples:
1

x 6
5
x
=

x 2 + 11x + 30 x 2 + 9x + 20 (x + 4)(x + 6)

x
6x + 6 x + 1 2x + 1
=
2
+
x +3
x +3 x 9 x 3

Christopher F. Santos

Rational Expressions

DLSU Algebra Lecture 4

10 / 6

Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions

Examples:
1

x 6
5
x
=

x 2 + 11x + 30 x 2 + 9x + 20 (x + 4)(x + 6)

x
6x + 6 x + 1 2x + 1
=
2
+
x +3
x +3 x 9 x 3

Christopher F. Santos

Rational Expressions

DLSU Algebra Lecture 4

10 / 6

Complex Fractions
Complex fractions are fractions which contain one or
more fractions in the numerator or in the denominator
or in both.
Examples:
2

x + xy + y
x2 y2

y
x

Christopher F. Santos

2+

,
2
2+

Rational Expressions

2
c
2
4
c4

DLSU Algebra Lecture 4

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Simplifying Complex Fractions

There are two ways of simplifying complex fractions:

1
Write the numerator and denominator as single
fractions then apply
a
b
c
d
2

a c
a d
ad
= =
b d
b c
bc

Multiply both numerator and denominator by their

LCD

Christopher F. Santos

Rational Expressions

DLSU Algebra Lecture 4

12 / 6

Simplifying Complex Fractions

Examples:
1

x 2 + xy + y 2
xy
=
x y
x2 y2

y
x
2+

2
2+

2
c
2

2(c + 1)(c 2)
c2

4
c4

Christopher F. Santos

Rational Expressions

DLSU Algebra Lecture 4

13 / 6

Simplifying Complex Fractions

Examples:
1

xy
x 2 + xy + y 2
=
x y
x2 y2

y
x
2+

2
2+

2
c
2

2(c + 1)(c 2)
c2

4
c4

Christopher F. Santos

Rational Expressions

DLSU Algebra Lecture 4

13 / 6

Simplifying Complex Fractions

Examples:
1

xy
x 2 + xy + y 2
=
x y
x2 y2

y
x
2+

2
2+

2
c
2

2(c + 1)(c 2)
c2

4
c4

Christopher F. Santos

Rational Expressions

DLSU Algebra Lecture 4

13 / 6

Simplifying Complex Fractions

Examples:
1

xy
x 2 + xy + y 2
=
x y
x2 y2

y
x
2+

2
2+

2
c
2

2(c + 1)(c 2)
c2

4
c4

Christopher F. Santos

Rational Expressions

DLSU Algebra Lecture 4

13 / 6