Rational Expressions

x 1
x 1
Figure 1.(Rational Expression)

Above is an example of a rational expression. A rational expression is simply a

fraction of algebraic expressions.
Simplifying Rational Expressions
In simplifying rational expressions, expressions from the numerator and
denominator are factored. Afterwards, similar factors are canceled out to achieve
the simplified form as illustrated below.
E.g.
2
a
1
1.
( a 1) 2

( a 1)( a 1)
( a 1)( a 1)

a 1
a 1

Note: Factoring
1. By Common factor
2. By Difference of 2 squares
3. By Sum and Difference of
Odd Powers
4. By Grouping
5. By Perfect Square
Trinomial
6. By Quadratic Trinomial

Review: Factoring
By Difference of 2
squares
a2-b2 = (a+b)(a-b)

Step 1: Factor numerator by difference of 2 squares

Step 2: Cancel similar factor

x 2 5 x
2. x 3 6 x 2 5 x

x 5 x
( x 5 x )( x 1)

1
x 1

( 6 x 2 13 x 15 )( 2 x 2 15 x 28 )

3. ( 2 x 2 13 x 21)( 30 x 2 37 x 10 )

( 6 x 5 )( x 3)( 2 x 7 )( x 4 )
( 2 x 7 )( x 3)( 5 x 2 )( 6 x 5 )

x4
5 x2

Step 1: Factor denominator

by quadratic trinomial
Step 2: Cancel similar factor

Step 1: Factor denominator

by quadratic trinomial
Step 2: Cancel similar factors

Review:
Factoring By
Quadratic
Trinomial
acx2+(ad+bc)+bd
= (ax+b)(cx+d)

Operations on Rational Expressions

1. Addition and Subtraction
In adding and subtracting rational expressions, we first get their least common
denominator(LCD) then multiply it to both numerator and denominator of both
terms. After having achieved common denominator, respective operations must be
performed(combine like terms/distribution method) as illustrated below.
E.g.
1.

2.

2x
x y

x4yy ; LCD : ( x y )( x y )

2 x ( x y )4 y ( x y )
( x y )( x y )

2[ x ( x y ) 2 y ( x y )]
( x y )( x y )

2[ x 2 xy 2 y 2 ]
( x y )( x y )

2 x 2 2 xy 4 y 2

1
x 1

x2 y2
4
x2

3
x 3

; LCD : ( x 1)( x 2)( x 3)

1( x 3)( x 2 )(x41( )(x x1)(2x)(x3) 3)3( x 1)( x 2 )

3.

x 2 5 x 6 4 x 2 16 x 12 3 x 2 9 x 6
( x 1)( x 2 )( x 3)

2x
( x 1)( x 2 )( x 3)

4 x 3
2 3 x

3xx12 ; LCD : (2 3 x)

4 x 3
2 3 x

4 x 3 x 1
2 3 x

3 x2
2 3 x

( 2 3 x )
2 3 x

Step 1: Get LCD

Step 2: Multiply LCD to
numerator and denominator of
both minuend and subtrahend
Step 3: Perform operations
Step 4: Simplify

3xx12 ( 11 )

Step 1: Get LCD

Step 2: Multiply LCD to
numerators and denominators of
all terms
Step 3: Perform operations
Step 4: Simplify

Step 1: Get LCD

Step 2: Multiply -1 to both
numerator and denominator of the
second addend to obtain common
denominator
Step 3: Perform operations
Step 4: Simplify

4
x 4

4.

1
x2

1; LCD : ( x 2)( x 2)

4 1( x 2 ) 1( x 2 )( x 2 )
( x 2 )( x 2 )

4 x 2 x 2 4
( x 2 )( x 2 )

x2 x2
( x 2 )( x 2 )

( x 1)( x 2 )
( x 2 )( x 2 )

Step 1: Get LCD

Step 2: Multiply LCD to
numerators and denominators of
all terms
Step 3: Perform operations
Step 4: Simplify

x 1
x2
2. Multiplication and Division
In multiplying rational expressions, we simply use the distribution method to
numerators and denominators or simplify the rational expression if applicable. On
the other hand, in dividing rational expressions, we get the reciprocal of the divisor
then multiply rational expressions respectively.

E.g.
5 x3 y 2
1.
8 abc

2.

5 x3 y 2
8 abc

2
5y

x 2 1
xy y

2516xabc
3 3
y

( xy yy3 )3(y32x 3)

( x 1)( x 1)
y ( x 1)

( x 1)( x 1)
y ( x 1)

( x 1)
y

Step 1: Multiply numerator to

numerator and denominator to
denominator as well
Step 2: Simplify

16 abc
25 x 3 y 3

y ( xy21() y 3(3x) 1)

y2
( x 1)

y 2 ( y 3)
( y 3)( x 1)

Step 1: Get the reciprocal of

divisor
Step 2: Simplify

x 2 3 x 2
x2 x2

3.

x 2 5 x 6
x 2 5 x 6

( x 2 )( x 1)
( x 2 )( x 1)

( x 1)
( x 3)

4. 2 xy y 2
2 x 2 xy

y (2 x y )
x(2 x y )

y (2 x y )
x(2 x y )

y (2 x y )
x(2 x y )

1
y

xx13

(( xx 33)()( xx 22)) (( xx13))

xy 2 y 3
2 x y

2 x 2 xy y 2
x 3 xy 2

Step 1: Get the reciprocal of

divisor
Step 2: Factor factorable
expressions
Step3: Simplify

y 2 ( x y )
2 x y

(x2( xx yy )()( xx yy )) ]

y 2 ( x y )
2 x y

(x2( xx yy )()( xx yy )) ]

x(2 x y )

y 2 (2 x y )

Step 1: Simplify rational expressions

inside the parenthesis first
Step 2: Get the reciprocal of the
simplified parenthesized rational
expressions
Step3: Simplify
Note: PEMDAS rule:
Parenthesis - 1st
Exponent - 2nd
Multiply - 3rd
Divide - 4th
Add - 5th
Subtract - 6th

Complex Fractions
When dealing with complex fractions, it is recommended to focus first on
performing operations to the sub fractions of the numerator and denominator
separately. After simplifying separately the numerator and denominator, perform
the division operator as illustrated below.
1. 3 a 1 3 a 1
1

9 a 1a
Numerator:
1
3 a 1

3a11 ; LCD : (3a 1)(3a 1)

1((33aa11))(13(a3a1)1)

2
( 3 a 1)( 3 a 1)

Step 1: Simplify rational

expressions in the numerator and
the denominator separately
Step 2: Perform division operator

Denominator:

9a ; LCD : a
1
a

2.

9 a 2 1
a

2
( 3 a 1)( 3 a 1)

9 aa2 1

2a
( 3 a 1) 2 ( 3 a 1) 2

a 2 1
a 23
a

Denominator:

2
a 3
a

a
=

2
a(a) 3

(a) a

a [

2
2
a 3
a

a [2
a [

Step 1: Simplify rational

expression in the denominator
Step 2: Perform division operator

a
]
2
a 3

2a
]
a 2 3
2

a ( a 3) 2 a
2

a 3

a 2 1
a3 5 a
a 2 3

(a 1) (
2

a 2 3
a 3 5 a

( a 2 1)( a 2 3)
a 3 5 a

Copyright 2016 by Jayvee Tungol