There are a few commands appropriate for use with rational functions (fractions).
Numerator [fraction] returns the numerator of fraction.
Denominator[fraction] returns the denominator of fraction.
Cancel[fraction]cancels out common factors in the numerator and
denominator offraction. The option Extension → Automatic allows operations
to be performed on algebraic numbers that appear in fraction.
Together[expression]
combines the terms of expression using a common
denominator. Any common factors in numerator and denominator are
cancelled.
Apart[fraction] writes fraction as a sum of partial fractions.
EXAMPLE 14
EXAMPLE 15
EXAMPLE 16
Since Mathematica, by default, converts factors with negative exponents to their
positive exponent equivalents, the result of Numerator or Denominator may be
different than expected.
EXAMPLE 17
ExpandNumerator [expression] expands the numerator of expression but
leaves the denominator alone.
ExpandDenominator [expression] expands the denominator
of expression but leaves the numerator alone.
ExpandAll [expression] expands both numerator and denominator
of expression, writing the result as a sum of fractions with a common
denominator.
EXAMPLE 18
EXAMPLE 17
ExpandNumerator [expression] expands the numerator of expression but
leaves the denominator alone.
ExpandDenominator [expression] expands the denominator
of expression but leaves the numerator alone.
ExpandAll [expression] expands both numerator and denominator
of expression, writing the result as a sum of fractions with a common
denominator.
EXAMPLE 18
The commands described in this section are not limited to rational functions
(quotients of polynomials) but will work for both algebraic expressions involving
radicals and non-algebraic expressions involving functions or undefined objects. In
addition, if the optionTrig → True is set within the command, Mathematica will
use standard trigonometric identities to simplify the expression. This will be
discussed further in Section 7.3.
EXAMPLE 19
EXAMPLE 20
SOLVED PROBLEMS
7.12 The expression appears in calculus in connection with the derivative.
Simplify this expression for f(x) = x9, a = −3.
SOLUTION
7.13 Express the sum of as a single fraction.
SOLUTION
7.14 Write with expanded numerator and denominator.
SOLUTION 1