Carson Elementary And Intermediate Algebra 3e Page 3
ADVERTISEMENT
1
2
3
4M098
Carson Elementary and Intermediate Algebra 3e
Section 7.1
3. Simplify rational expressions.
In working with fractions in arithmetic, we always reduced them to lowest terms by dividing the numerator
and denominator by the greatest common factor. If you remember back to when you first learned to
reduce fractions, the process went something like this:
18
2
3
3
3
24
2
3
4
4
We can reduce these fractions because 2 and 3 are common factors. This is another one of those red
flag areas. We can only reduce when we are multiplying - never when we add.
2
3
5
3
which does not equal
.
2
5
7
5
Terms can NOT be reduced – only factors.
3
14
h
k
Example 6: Simplify
21
h
Rewrite in factored form.
2
7
h
h
h
k
3
7
h
Reduce common factors.
2
7
h
h
h
k
3
7
h
Multiply remaining factors.
2
2
h
k
3
2
x
10
x
25
.
Example 7: Simplify
2
x
25
Rewrite in factored form.
x
5
x
5
x
5
x
5
Reduce common factors.
x
5
x
5
x
5
x
5
x
5
x
5
by
ay
bx
ax
.
Example 8: Simplify
2
x
ax
xy
ay
Rewrite in factored form.
b
a
y
x
x
a
x
y
Reduce common factors.
b
a
y
x
x
a
x
y
b
a
x
a
V. Zabrocki 2011
page 3
ADVERTISEMENT
0 votes
Related Articles
Related forms
Related Categories
Parent category: Education