Please use this form if you would like to have this math solver on your website, free of charge.
Multiplying rational expressions is similar to multiplying fractions in
arithmetic.
Procedure
To Multiply Rational Expressions
Step 1 Factor the numerators and denominators.
Step 2 Cancel all pairs of factors common to the numerators and
denominators.
Step 3 Multiply the numerators, and then multiply the denominators.
Example 1
Simplify:
Solution
Step 1 Factor.
Step 2 Cancel common factors.
Step 3 Multiply.
The result is.
Note
In your final answer, you may leave the
parentheses. Or, you may use the
Distributive Property to remove them. So,
may be written
as
.
Dividing rational expressions is similar to dividing fractions in arithmetic.
Procedure
To Divide Rational Expressions
Step 1 Invert the second rational expression and change
÷ to ·.
Step 2 Multiply.
Example 2
Simplify:
Solution
Step 1 Invert the second rational
expression and change ÷ to
·.
Step 2 Multiply.
Factor.
Cancel.
Simplify.
Thus, the result is.
Note:
can be written as
Some rational expressions contain both multiplication and division. To
simplify these expressions, we can begin by changing division to
multiplication.
.
.
.
.
