Simplify Rational Expressions

In Chapter 1, we reviewed the properties of fractions and their operations. We introduced rational numbers, which are just fractions where the numerators and denominators are integers, and the denominator is not zero.

In this chapter, we will work with fractions whose numerators and denominators are polynomials. We call these rational expressions.

Remember, division by 0 is undefined.

Here are some examples of rational expressions:

- \frac{13}{42} \frac{7 y}{8 z} \frac{5 x + 2}{x^{2} - 7} \frac{4 x^{2} + 3 x - 1}{2 x - 8}

Notice that the first rational expression listed above, $- \frac{13}{42},$ is just a fraction. Since a constant is a polynomial with degree zero, the ratio of two constants is a rational expression, provided the denominator is not zero.

We will perform the same operations with rational expressions that we do with fractions. We will simplify, add, subtract, multiply, divide, and use them in applications.

Determine the Values for Which a Rational Expression is Undefined

When we work with a numerical fraction, it is easy to avoid dividing by zero, because we can see the number in the denominator. In order to avoid dividing by zero in a rational expression, we must not allow values of the variable that will make the denominator be zero.

If the denominator is zero, the rational expression is undefined. The numerator of a rational expression may be 0—but not the denominator.

So before we begin any operation with a rational expression, we examine it first to find the values that would make the denominator zero. That way, when we solve a rational equation for example, we will know whether the algebraic solutions we find are allowed or not.

Determine the values for which the rational expression is undefined:

ⓐ $\frac{9 y}{x}$ ⓑ $\frac{4 b - 3}{2 b + 5}$ ⓒ $\frac{x + 4}{x^{2} + 5 x + 6}$

Solution

The expression will be undefined when the denominator is zero.

ⓐ

This table demonstrates the steps to determine when a rational expression is undefined by setting the denominator to zero.
	$\frac{9 y}{x}$
Set the denominator equal to zero. Solve for the variable.	$x = 0$
	$\frac{9 y}{x} is undefined for x = 0 .$

ⓑ

Steps to determine where a rational expression is undefined by setting its denominator to zero and solving for the variable.
	$\frac{4 b - 3}{2 b + 5}$
Set the denominator equal to zero. Solve for the variable.	$\begin{matrix} 2 b + 5 & = & 0 \\ 2 b & = & −5 \\ b & = & - \frac{5}{2} \end{matrix}$
	$\frac{4 b - 3}{2 b + 5}$ is undefined for $b = - \frac{5}{2} .$

ⓒ

This table illustrates the step-by-step procedure to determine the values for which a given rational expression is undefined by solving its denominator for zero.
	$\frac{x + 4}{x^{2} + 5 x + 6}$
Set the denominator equal to zero. Solve for the variable.	$\begin{matrix} x^{2} + 5 x + 6 & = & 0 \\ (x + 2) (x + 3) & = & 0 \\ x + 2 = 0 or x + 3 & = & 0 \\ x = −2 or x & = & −3 \end{matrix}$
	$\frac{x + 4}{x^{2} + 5 x + 6}$ is undefined for $x = −2 or x = −3 .$

Saying that the rational expression $\frac{x + 4}{x^{2} + 5 x + 6}$ is undefined for $x = −2 or x = −3$ is similar to writing the phrase “void where prohibited” in contest rules.

Evaluate Rational Expressions

To evaluate a rational expression, we substitute values of the variables into the expression and simplify, just as we have for many other expressions in this book.

Evaluate $\frac{2 x + 3}{3 x - 5}$ for each value:

ⓐ $x = 0$ ⓑ $x = 2$ ⓒ $x = −3$

Solution

ⓐ

	$A mathematical expression displaying the fraction (2x + 3) over (3x - 5), where 2x + 3 is the numerator and 3x - 5 is the denominator.$
	$A mathematical fraction showing the substitution of 0 for a variable in both the numerator and denominator, with the zeroes highlighted in red: (2(0)+3) / (3(0)-5).$
Simplify.	$The image displays the fraction -3/5, representing a negative value where three is divided by five.$

ⓑ

	$A mathematical fraction with the expression 2x + 3 in the numerator and 3x - 5 in the denominator, presented in a clear, standard algebraic format.$
	$A mathematical expression displaying a fraction where the variable in the numerator 2(x) + 3 and denominator 3(x) - 5 has been substituted with the number 2, highlighted in red. The expression is 2(2) + 3 / 3(2) - 5.$
Simplify.	$A mathematical fraction showing the expression (4+3) in the numerator and (6-5) in the denominator.$
	$A mathematical fraction displays the number 7 over the number 1, representing the value of seven divided by one. The numeral 7 is positioned as the numerator above a horizontal line, with the numeral 1 as the denominator below it.$

ⓒ

	$A mathematical expression displaying a fraction: the numerator is 2x + 3, and the denominator is 3x - 5.$
	$A mathematical fraction is shown, with 2(-3) + 3 in the numerator and 3(-3) - 5 in the denominator. The number -3 is highlighted in red in both parts of the expression.$
Simplify.	$A mathematical expression showing a fraction with numerator '-6 + 3' and denominator '-9 - 5'.$
	$The mathematical expression shows the fraction -3 divided by -14.$
	$A fraction shows 3 over 14, represented as 3/14, centered on a white background.$

Evaluate $\frac{x^{2} + 8 x + 7}{x^{2} - 4}$ for each value:

ⓐ $x = 0$ ⓑ $x = 2$ ⓒ $x = −1$

Solution

ⓐ

	$A mathematical expression showing the fraction (x^2 + 8x + 7) divided by (x^2 - 4). The numerator is a quadratic trinomial, and the denominator is a difference of squares.$
	$The evaluation of an algebraic fraction where the variable is replaced by zero, represented as ((0)^2 + 8(0) + 7) / ((0)^2 - 4).$
Simplify.	$A white background displays the mathematical fraction seven over negative four, representing the value -7/4.$
	$The mathematical expression displays a negative fraction, written as minus seven over four (-7/4).$

ⓑ

	$A mathematical expression showing the fraction (x^2 + 8x + 7) divided by (x^2 - 4). The numerator is a quadratic trinomial, and the denominator is a difference of squares.$
	$A mathematical fraction with (2)^2 + 8(2) + 7 in the numerator and (2)^2 - 4 in the denominator, where the number 2 is highlighted in red.$
Simplify.	$A mathematical expression showing the fraction (4 + 16 + 7) / (4 - 4), which results in division by zero, rendering the expression undefined.$

This rational expression is undefined for x = 2.

ⓒ

	$A mathematical expression showing a fraction. The numerator is x squared plus 8x plus 7. The denominator is x squared minus 4.$
	$A mathematical fraction showing the evaluation of (x^2 + 8x + 7) / (x^2 - 4) with x = -1, where the -1 is highlighted in red.$
Simplify.	$A mathematical expression showing a fraction. The numerator is 1 - 8 + 7 and the denominator is 1 - 4.$
	$A mathematical expression showing the fraction with numerator -7 + 7 and denominator -3.$
	$A mathematical expression displaying the fraction 0 over -3, which simplifies to 0. This image shows a fundamental concept in division where zero divided by any non-zero number is zero.$

Remember that a fraction is simplified when it has no common factors, other than 1, in its numerator and denominator. When we evaluate a rational expression, we make sure to simplify the resulting fraction.

Evaluate $\frac{a^{2} + 2 a b + b^{2}}{3 a b^{2}}$ for each value:

ⓐ $a = 1, b = 2$ ⓑ $a = −2, b = −1$ ⓒ $a = \frac{1}{3}, b = 0$

Solution

ⓐ

	$\frac{a^{2} + 2 a b + b^{2}}{3 a b^{2}}$ when $a = 1, b = 2$ .
	$A mathematical fraction with a numerator expanded as (1)^2 + 2(1)(2) + (2)^2 and a denominator as 3(1)(2)^2, featuring red and blue colored numbers.$
Simplify.	$A mathematical expression showing the fraction (1 + 4 + 4) over 3(4).$
	$The fraction 9/12 is displayed on a white background, with a horizontal line separating the numerator '9' from the denominator '12'.$
	$The image displays the fraction '3/4' centered on a plain white background. The numerator '3' is positioned above a horizontal fraction bar, with the denominator '4' directly below the bar. The text is black and clear.$

ⓑ

	$\frac{a^{2} + 2 a b + b^{2}}{3 a b^{2}}$ when $a = −2, b = −1$ .

Simplify.	$A mathematical expression showing the fraction (4 + 4 + 1) divided by -6, presented in a clean, white background.$
	$A mathematical expression displaying the fraction -9/6.$
	$A mathematical expression displaying the negative fraction -3/2, set against a plain white background.$

ⓒ

	$\frac{a^{2} + 2 a b + b^{2}}{3 a b^{2}}$ when $a = \frac{1}{3}, b = 0$ .
	$A mathematical expression showing a fraction. The numerator is (1/3)^2 + 2(1/3)(0) + (0)^2, and the denominator is 3(1/3)(0)^2. The number 1/3 is in red, and 0 is in blue.$
Simplify.	$A mathematical expression showing a fraction 1/9 plus two zeros in the numerator, all divided by zero, resulting in an undefined expression due to division by zero.$
	$A mathematical expression showing the fraction 1 over 9, which is then divided by 0, resulting in an undefined or impossible mathematical operation, commonly known as division by zero.$
	The expression is undefined.

Simplify Rational Expressions

Just like a fraction is considered simplified if there are no common factors, other than 1, in its numerator and denominator, a rational expression is simplified if it has no common factors, other than 1, in its numerator and denominator.

For example:

$\frac{2}{3}$ is simplified because there are no common factors of 2 and 3.
$\frac{2 x}{3 x}$ is not simplified because x is a common factor of 2x and 3x.

We use the Equivalent Fractions Property to simplify numerical fractions. We restate it here as we will also use it to simplify rational expressions.

Notice that in the Equivalent Fractions Property, the values that would make the denominators zero are specifically disallowed. We see $b \neq 0, c \neq 0$ clearly stated. Every time we write a rational expression, we should make a similar statement disallowing values that would make a denominator zero. However, to let us focus on the work at hand, we will omit writing it in the examples.

Let’s start by reviewing how we simplify numerical fractions.

Simplify: $- \frac{36}{63} .$

Solution

	$The image displays the fraction -36/63, represented with a horizontal line separating the numerator -36 and the denominator 63.$
Rewrite the numerator and denominator showing the common factors.	$A mathematical fraction displaying -(49)/(79), with the common multiplier '9' highlighted in red, indicating its cancellation for simplification to -4/7.$
Simplify using the Equivalent Fractions Property.	$The negative fraction -4/7, showing a minus sign preceding the fraction bar with 4 as the numerator and 7 as the denominator.$

Notice that the fraction $- \frac{4}{7}$ is simplified because there are no more common factors.

Throughout this chapter, we will assume that all numerical values that would make the denominator be zero are excluded. We will not write the restrictions for each rational expression, but keep in mind that the denominator can never be zero. So in this next example, $x \neq 0$ and $y \neq 0$ .

Simplify: $\frac{3 x y}{18 x^{2} y^{2}} .$

Solution

	$A fraction with 3xy in the numerator and 18x²y² in the denominator. This algebraic expression can be simplified by canceling common terms.$
Rewrite the numerator and denominator showing the common factors.	$A fraction with 1 multiplied by 3xy in the numerator and 6xy multiplied by 3xy in the denominator. The 3xy term is highlighted in red, indicating a common factor for simplification.$
Simplify using the Equivalent Fractions Property.	$The image displays the mathematical expression one divided by six xy, written as a fraction with 1 as the numerator and 6xy as the denominator.$

Did you notice that these are the same steps we took when we divided monomials in Polynomials?

To simplify rational expressions we first write the numerator and denominator in factored form. Then we remove the common factors using the Equivalent Fractions Property.

Be very careful as you remove common factors. Factors are multiplied to make a product. You can remove a factor from a product. You cannot remove a term from a sum.

$This figure contains three columns. The first column, shows the numerator and denominator in factored form. The numerator has 2 times 3 times 7. The denominator has 3 times 5 times 7. The common factors, 3 and 7 are crossed out. The second row, first column shows what remains after the threes and sevens are crossed out, which is 2 over 5 in fraction form. The last row in the first column reads “We removed the common factors of 3 and 7. They are the factors of the product.” The first row of the middle column shows 3 x and then x minus 9 in parentheses in the numerator. The denominator shows 5 and then x-9 in parentheses. The common factors x minus 9 are crossed out. The second row of the middle column shows what remains after removing the common factors, which is 3 x over 5 in fraction form. The last row in the middle column reads, “We removed the common factor x minus 9. It is a factor of the product.” The first row of the third column shows x plus 5 in the numerator and x in the denominator. The second row says “No common factors” and the third row reads, “While there is an x in both the numerator and the denominator, the x in the numerator is a term of a sum”.$

Note that removing the x’s from $\frac{x + 5}{x}$ would be like cancelling the 2’s in the fraction $\frac{2 + 5}{2}$ !

How to Simplify Rational Binomials

Simplify: $\frac{2 x + 8}{5 x + 20} .$

Solution

This figure is a table with three columns and two rows. The first column is a header column, and it contains the names and numbers of each step. The second column contains further written instructions. The third column contains math. On the top row of the table, the first cell says “Step 1. Factor the numerator and denominator completely.” The second cell says “Factor 2x plus 8 and 5x minus 20.” The third cell contains 2x plus 8, divided by 5x plus 20. Below this is 2 times x plus 4 divided by 5 times x plus 4.

In the second row, the first cell says “Step 2. Simplify by dividing out common factors.” The second cell says “Divide out the common factors.” The third cell contains 2 times x plus 4 divided by 5 times x plus 4, where x plus 4 cancels out in the numerator and the denominator. It simplifies to 2 fifths.

We now summarize the steps you should follow to simplify rational expressions.

Usually, we leave the simplified rational expression in factored form. This way it is easy to check that we have removed all the common factors!

We’ll use the methods we covered in Factoring to factor the polynomials in the numerators and denominators in the following examples.

Simplify: $\frac{x^{2} + 5 x + 6}{x^{2} + 8 x + 12} .$

Solution

$\begin{matrix} \frac{x^{2} + 5 x + 6}{x^{2} + 8 x + 12} \\ Factor the numerator and denominator. & \frac{(x + 2) (x + 3)}{(x + 2) (x + 6)} \\ \begin{matrix} Remove the common factor x + 2 from \\ the numerator and the denominator. \end{matrix} & \frac{(x + 2) (x + 3)}{(x + 2) (x + 6)} \\ \frac{x + 3}{x + 6} \end{matrix}$

Can you tell which values of x must be excluded in this example?

Simplify: $\frac{y^{2} + y - 42}{y^{2} - 36} .$

Solution

$\begin{matrix} \frac{y^{2} + y - 42}{y^{2} - 36} \\ Factor the numerator and denominator. & \frac{(y + 7) (y - 6)}{(y + 6) (y - 6)} \\ \begin{matrix} Remove the common factor y - 6 from \\ the numerator and the denominator. \end{matrix} & \frac{(y + 7) (y - 6)}{(y + 6) (y - 6)} \\ \frac{y + 7}{y + 6} \end{matrix}$

Simplify: $\frac{p^{3} - 2 p^{2} + 2 p - 4}{p^{2} - 7 p + 10} .$

Solution

$\begin{matrix} \frac{p^{3} - 2 p^{2} + 2 p - 4}{p^{2} - 7 p + 10} \\ \begin{matrix} Factor the numerator and denominator, \\ using grouping to factor the numerator. \end{matrix} & \frac{p^{2} (p - 2) + 2 (p - 2)}{(p - 5) (p - 2)} \\ \frac{(p^{2} + 2) (p - 2)}{(p - 5) (p - 2)} \\ \begin{matrix} Remove the common factor of p - 2 \\ from the numerator and the denominator. \end{matrix} & \frac{(p^{2} + 2) (p - 2)}{(p - 5) (p - 2)} \\ \frac{p^{2} + 2}{p - 5} \end{matrix}$

Simplify: $\frac{2 n^{2} - 14 n}{4 n^{2} - 16 n - 48} .$

Solution

$\begin{matrix} \frac{2 n^{2} - 14 n}{4 n^{2} - 16 n - 48} \\ \begin{matrix} Factor the numerator and denominator, \\ first factoring out the GCF. \end{matrix} & \frac{2 n (n - 7)}{4 (n^{2} - 4 n - 12)} \\ \frac{2 n (n - 7)}{4 (n - 6) (n + 2)} \\ Remove the common factor, 2. & \frac{2 n (n - 7)}{2 \cdot 2 (n - 6) (n + 2)} \\ \frac{n (n - 7)}{2 (n - 6) (n + 2)} \end{matrix}$

Simplify: $\frac{3 b^{2} - 12 b + 12}{6 b^{2} - 24} .$

Solution

$\begin{matrix} \frac{3 b^{2} - 12 b + 12}{6 b^{2} - 24} \\ \begin{matrix} Factor the numerator and denominator, \\ first factoring out the GCF. \end{matrix} & \frac{3 (b^{2} - 4 b + 4)}{6 (b^{2} - 4)} \\ \frac{3 (b - 2) (b - 2)}{6 (b + 2) (b - 2)} \\ Remove the common factors of b - 2 and 3 . & \frac{3 (b - 2) (b - 2)}{3 \cdot 2 (b + 2) (b - 2)} \\ \frac{b - 2}{2 (b + 2)} \end{matrix}$

Simplify: $\frac{m^{3} + 8}{m^{2} - 4} .$

Solution

$\begin{matrix} \frac{m^{3} + 8}{m^{2} - 4} \\ \begin{matrix} Factor the numerator and denominator, \\ using the formulas for sum of cubes and \\ difference of squares. \end{matrix} & \frac{(m + 2) (m^{2} - 2 m + 4)}{(m + 2) (m - 2)} \\ Remove the common factor of m + 2 . & \frac{(m + 2) (m^{2} - 2 m + 4)}{(m + 2) (m - 2)} \\ \frac{m^{2} - 2 m + 4}{m - 2} \end{matrix}$

Simplify Rational Expressions with Opposite Factors

Now we will see how to simplify a rational expression whose numerator and denominator have opposite factors. Let’s start with a numerical fraction, say $\frac{7}{−7}$ . We know this fraction simplifies to $−1$ . We also recognize that the numerator and denominator are opposites.

In Foundations, we introduced opposite notation: the opposite of $a$ is $− a$ . We remember, too, that $− a = −1 \cdot a$ .

We simplify the fraction $\frac{a}{− a}$ , whose numerator and denominator are opposites, in this way:

$\begin{matrix} \frac{a}{− a} \\ We could rewrite this. & \frac{1 \cdot a}{−1 \cdot a} \\ Remove the common factors. & \frac{1}{−1} \\ Simplify. & −1 \end{matrix}$

So, in the same way, we can simplify the fraction $\frac{x - 3}{− (x - 3)}$ :

$\begin{matrix} We could rewrite this. & \frac{1 \cdot (x - 3)}{−1 \cdot (x - 3)} \\ Remove the common factors. & \frac{1}{−1} \\ Simplify. & −1 \end{matrix}$

But the opposite of $x - 3$ could be written differently:

$\begin{matrix} − (x - 3) \\ Distribute. & − x + 3 \\ Rewrite. & 3 - x \end{matrix}$

This means the fraction $\frac{x - 3}{3 - x}$ simplifies to $−1$ .

In general, we could write the opposite of $a - b$ as $b - a$ . So the rational expression $\frac{a - b}{b - a}$ simplifies to $−1$ .

We will use this property to simplify rational expressions that contain opposites in their numerators and denominators.

Simplify: $\frac{x - 8}{8 - x} .$

Solution

$\begin{matrix} \frac{x - 8}{8 - x} \\ Recognize that x - 8 and 8 - x are opposites. & −1 \end{matrix}$

Remember, the first step in simplifying a rational expression is to factor the numerator and denominator completely.

Simplify: $\frac{14 - 2 x}{x^{2} - 49} .$

Solution

	$A mathematical expression displaying the fraction (14 - 2x) over (x^2 - 49).$
Factor the numerator and denominator.	$A mathematical expression showing the fraction 2(7-x) over (x+7)(x-7).$
Recognize that $7 - x and x - 7 are opposites$ .	$A math expression showing the fraction 2(7-x) over (x+7)(x-7). Diagonal lines on (7-x) in the numerator and (x-7) in the denominator indicate their cancellation. The fraction is multiplied by a red (-1).$
Simplify.	$A mathematical expression displaying a fraction: negative 2 over the quantity of x plus 7. The fraction is written with a horizontal line separating the numerator 2 from the denominator x+7, with a minus sign to the left of the fraction line.$

Simplify: $\frac{x^{2} - 4 x - 32}{64 - x^{2}} .$

Solution

	$A fraction with the numerator x squared minus 4x minus 32, and the denominator 64 minus x squared.$
Factor the numerator and denominator.	$A mathematical fraction is displayed with (x-8)(x+4) in the numerator and (8-x)(8+x) in the denominator.$
Recognize the factors that are opposites.
Simplify.	$A mathematical expression showing a negative fraction. The numerator is x plus 4, and the denominator is x plus 8. The entire fraction is negated.$

Key Concepts

Determine the Values for Which a Rational Expression is Undefined
1. Set the denominator equal to zero.
2. Solve the equation, if possible.
Simplified Rational Expression
- A rational expression is considered simplified if there are no common factors in its numerator and denominator.
Simplify a Rational Expression
1. Factor the numerator and denominator completely.
2. Simplify by dividing out common factors.
Opposites in a Rational Expression
- The opposite of $a - b$ is $b - a$ .
  $\begin{matrix} \frac{a - b}{b - a} = −1 & a \neq 0, b \neq 0, a \neq b \end{matrix}$

Practice Makes Perfect

In the following exercises, determine the values for which the rational expression is undefined.

ⓐ $\frac{2 x}{z}$ ⓑ $\frac{4 p - 1}{6 p - 5}$ ⓒ $\frac{n - 3}{n^{2} + 2 n - 8}$

Solution

ⓐ $z = 0$ ⓑ $p = \frac{5}{6}$ ⓒ $n = −4, n = 2$

ⓐ $\frac{10 m}{11 n}$ ⓑ $\frac{6 y + 13}{4 y - 9}$ ⓒ $\frac{b - 8}{b^{2} - 36}$

ⓐ $\frac{4 x^{2} y}{3 y}$ ⓑ $\frac{3 x - 2}{2 x + 1}$ ⓒ $\frac{u - 1}{u^{2} - 3 u - 28}$

Solution

ⓐ $y = 0$ ⓑ $x = - \frac{1}{2}$ ⓒ $u = −4, u = 7$

ⓐ $\frac{5 p q^{2}}{9 q}$ ⓑ $\frac{7 a - 4}{3 a + 5}$ ⓒ $\frac{1}{x^{2} - 4}$

Evaluate Rational Expressions

In the following exercises, evaluate the rational expression for the given values.

$\frac{2 x}{x - 1}$

ⓐ $x = 0$ ⓑ $x = 2$ ⓒ $x = −1$

Solution

ⓐ $0$ ⓑ $4$ ⓒ $1$

$\frac{4 y - 1}{5 y - 3}$

ⓐ $y = 0$ ⓑ $y = 2$ ⓒ $y = −1$

$\frac{2 p + 3}{p^{2} + 1}$

ⓐ $p = 0$ ⓑ $p = 1$ ⓒ $p = −2$

Solution

ⓐ $3$ ⓑ $\frac{5}{2}$ ⓒ $- \frac{1}{5}$

$\frac{x + 3}{2 - 3 x}$

ⓐ $x = 0$ ⓑ $x = 1$ ⓒ $x = −2$

$\frac{y^{2} + 5 y + 6}{y^{2} - 1}$

ⓐ $y = 0$ ⓑ $y = 2$ ⓒ $y = −2$

Solution

ⓐ $−6$ ⓑ $\frac{20}{3}$ ⓒ $0$

$\frac{z^{2} + 3 z - 10}{z^{2} - 1}$

ⓐ $z = 0$ ⓑ $z = 2$ ⓒ $z = −2$

$\frac{a^{2} - 4}{a^{2} + 5 a + 4}$

ⓐ $a = 0$ ⓑ $a = 1$ ⓒ $a = −2$

Solution

ⓐ $−1$ ⓑ $- \frac{3}{10}$ ⓒ $0$

$\frac{b^{2} + 2}{b^{2} - 3 b - 4}$

ⓐ $b = 0$ ⓑ $b = 2$ ⓒ $b = −2$

$\frac{x^{2} + 3 x y + 2 y^{2}}{2 x^{3} y}$

ⓐ $x = 1, y = −1$
ⓑ $x = 2, y = 1$
ⓒ $x = −1, y = −2$

Solution

ⓐ $0$ ⓑ $\frac{3}{4}$ ⓒ $\frac{15}{4}$

$\frac{c^{2} + c d - 2 d^{2}}{c d^{3}}$

ⓐ $c = 2, d = −1$
ⓑ $c = 1, d = −1$
ⓒ $c = −1, d = 2$

$\frac{m^{2} - 4 n^{2}}{5 m n^{3}}$

ⓐ $m = 2, n = 1$
ⓑ $m = −1, n = −1$
ⓒ $m = 3, n = 2$

Solution

ⓐ $0$ ⓑ $- \frac{3}{5}$ ⓒ $- \frac{7}{120}$

$\frac{2 s^{2} t}{s^{2} - 9 t^{2}}$

ⓐ $s = 4, t = 1$
ⓑ $s = −1, t = −1$
ⓒ $s = 0, t = 2$

Simplify Rational Expressions

In the following exercises, simplify.

$- \frac{4}{52}$

Solution

$- \frac{1}{13}$

$- \frac{44}{55}$

$\frac{56}{63}$

Solution

$\frac{8}{9}$

$\frac{65}{104}$

$\frac{6 a b^{2}}{12 a^{2} b}$

Solution

$\frac{b}{2 a}$

$\frac{15 x y}{3 x^{3} y^{3}}$

$\frac{8 m^{3} n}{12 m n^{2}}$

Solution

$\frac{2 m^{2}}{3 n}$

$\frac{36 v^{3} w^{2}}{27 v w^{3}}$

$\frac{3 a + 6}{4 a + 8}$

Solution

$\frac{3}{4}$

$\frac{5 b + 5}{6 b + 6}$

$\frac{3 c - 9}{5 c - 15}$

Solution

$\frac{3}{5}$

$\frac{4 d + 8}{9 d + 18}$

$\frac{7 m + 63}{5 m + 45}$

Solution

$\frac{7}{5}$

$\frac{8 n - 96}{3 n - 36}$

$\frac{12 p - 240}{5 p - 100}$

Solution

$\frac{12}{5}$

$\frac{6 q + 210}{5 q + 175}$

$\frac{a^{2} - a - 12}{a^{2} - 8 a + 16}$

Solution

$\frac{a + 3}{a - 4}$

$\frac{x^{2} + 4 x - 5}{x^{2} - 2 x + 1}$

$\frac{y^{2} + 3 y - 4}{y^{2} - 6 y + 5}$

Solution

$\frac{y + 4}{y - 5}$

$\frac{v^{2} + 8 v + 15}{v^{2} - v - 12}$

$\frac{x^{2} - 25}{x^{2} + 2 x - 15}$

Solution

$\frac{x - 5}{x - 3}$

$\frac{a^{2} - 4}{a^{2} + 6 a - 16}$

$\frac{y^{2} - 2 y - 3}{y^{2} - 9}$

Solution

$\frac{y + 1}{y + 3}$

$\frac{b^{2} + 9 b + 18}{b^{2} - 36}$

$\frac{y^{3} + y^{2} + y + 1}{y^{2} + 2 y + 1}$

Solution

$\frac{y^{2} + 1}{y + 1}$

$\frac{p^{3} + 3 p^{2} + 4 p + 12}{p^{2} + p - 6}$

$\frac{x^{3} - 2 x^{2} - 25 x + 50}{x^{2} - 25}$

Solution

$x - 2$

$\frac{q^{3} + 3 q^{2} - 4 q - 12}{q^{2} - 4}$

$\frac{3 a^{2} + 15 a}{6 a^{2} + 6 a - 36}$

Solution

$\frac{a (a + 5)}{2 (a + 3) (a - 2)}$

$\frac{8 b^{2} - 32 b}{2 b^{2} - 6 b - 80}$

$\frac{−5 c^{2} - 10 c}{−10 c^{2} + 30 c + 100}$

Solution

$\frac{c}{2 (c - 5)}$

$\frac{4 d^{2} - 24 d}{2 d^{2} - 4 d - 48}$

$\frac{3 m^{2} + 30 m + 75}{4 m^{2} - 100}$

Solution

$\frac{3 (m + 5)}{4 (m - 5)}$

$\frac{5 n^{2} + 30 n + 45}{2 n^{2} - 18}$

$\frac{5 r^{2} + 30 r - 35}{r^{2} - 49}$

Solution

$\frac{5 (r - 1)}{r - 7}$

$\frac{3 s^{2} + 30 s + 72}{3 s^{2} - 48}$

$\frac{t^{3} - 27}{t^{2} - 9}$

Solution

$\frac{t^{2} + 3 t + 9}{t + 3}$

$\frac{v^{3} - 1}{v^{2} - 1}$

$\frac{w^{3} + 216}{w^{2} - 36}$

Solution

$\frac{w^{2} - 6 w + 36}{w - 6}$

$\frac{v^{3} + 125}{v^{2} - 25}$

Simplify Rational Expressions with Opposite Factors

In the following exercises, simplify each rational expression.

$\frac{a - 5}{5 - a}$

Solution

$−1$

$\frac{b - 12}{12 - b}$

$\frac{11 - c}{c - 11}$

Solution

$−1$

$\frac{5 - d}{d - 5}$

$\frac{12 - 2 x}{x^{2} - 36}$

Solution

$- \frac{2}{x + 6}$

$\frac{20 - 5 y}{y^{2} - 16}$

$\frac{4 v - 32}{64 - v^{2}}$

Solution

$- \frac{4}{8 + v}$

$\frac{7 w - 21}{9 - w^{2}}$

$\frac{y^{2} - 11 y + 24}{9 - y^{2}}$

Solution

$- \frac{(y - 8)}{3 + y}$

$\frac{z^{2} - 9 z + 20}{16 - z^{2}}$

$\frac{a^{2} - 5 a - 36}{81 - a^{2}}$

Solution

$- \frac{a + 4}{9 + a}$

$\frac{b^{2} + b - 42}{36 - b^{2}}$

Everyday Math

Tax Rates For the tax year 2015, the amount of tax owed by a single person earning between $37,450 and $90,750, can be found by evaluating the formula $0.25 x - 4206.25,$ where x is income. The average tax rate for this income can be found by evaluating the formula $\frac{0.25 x - 4206.25}{x} .$ What would be the average tax rate for a single person earning $50,000?

Solution

16.6%

Work The length of time it takes for two people for perform the same task if they work together can be found by evaluating the formula $\frac{x y}{x + y} .$ If Tom can paint the den in $x =$ 45 minutes and his brother Bobby can paint it in $y =$ 60 minutes, how many minutes will it take them if they work together?

Writing Exercises

Explain how you find the values of x for which the rational expression $\frac{x^{2} - x - 20}{x^{2} - 4}$ is undefined.

Solution

Answers will vary, but all should reference setting the denominator function to zero.

Explain all the steps you take to simplify the rational expression $\frac{p^{2} + 4 p - 21}{9 - p^{2}} .$

Self Check

ⓐ After completing the exercises, use this checklist to evaluate your mastery of the objectives of this section.

This figure shows a table with four columns and five rows. The first row is a header row and each column is labeled. The first column header is labeled “I can…”, the second is labeled “Confidently”, the third is labeled “With some help”, and the fourth is labeled “No—I don’t get it!” In the first column under “I can”, the cells read “determine the values for which a rational expression is undefined,” “evaluate rational expressions,” “simplify rational expressions,” and “simplify rational expressions with opposite factors.” The rest of the cells are blank.

ⓑ If most of your checks were:

…confidently. Congratulations! You have achieved your goals in this section! Reflect on the study skills you used so that you can continue to use them. What did you do to become confident of your ability to do these things? Be specific!

…with some help. This must be addressed quickly as topics you do not master become potholes in your road to success. Math is sequential - every topic builds upon previous work. It is important to make sure you have a strong foundation before you move on. Whom can you ask for help? Your fellow classmates and instructor are good resources. Is there a place on campus where math tutors are available? Can your study skills be improved?

…no - I don’t get it! This is critical and you must not ignore it. You need to get help immediately or you will quickly be overwhelmed. See your instructor as soon as possible to discuss your situation. Together you can come up with a plan to get you the help you need.

rational expression

A rational expression is an expression of the form

\frac{p}{q}

, where p and q are polynomials and

q \neq 0 .