A complex rational expression contains rational expressions in both the numerator and denominator. It can be simplified by (1) rewriting the numerator and denominator as single rational expressions, (2) dividing the numerator by the denominator, and (3) rewriting the division as a multiplication problem using the reciprocal of the denominator. There are two methods for simplifying complex rational expressions - treating it as a division problem and rewriting as multiplication, or multiplying the numerator and denominator by a common denominator. The examples demonstrate simplifying complex fractions using these methods.
A complex rational expression contains rational expressions in both the numerator and denominator. It can be simplified by (1) rewriting the numerator and denominator as single rational expressions, (2) dividing the numerator by the denominator, and (3) rewriting the division as a multiplication problem using the reciprocal of the denominator. There are two methods for simplifying complex rational expressions - treating it as a division problem and rewriting as multiplication, or multiplying the numerator and denominator by a common denominator. The examples demonstrate simplifying complex fractions using these methods.
A complex rational expression contains rational expressions in both the numerator and denominator. It can be simplified by (1) rewriting the numerator and denominator as single rational expressions, (2) dividing the numerator by the denominator, and (3) rewriting the division as a multiplication problem using the reciprocal of the denominator. There are two methods for simplifying complex rational expressions - treating it as a division problem and rewriting as multiplication, or multiplying the numerator and denominator by a common denominator. The examples demonstrate simplifying complex fractions using these methods.
A complex rational expression contains rational expressions in both the numerator and denominator. It can be simplified by (1) rewriting the numerator and denominator as single rational expressions, (2) dividing the numerator by the denominator, and (3) rewriting the division as a multiplication problem using the reciprocal of the denominator. There are two methods for simplifying complex rational expressions - treating it as a division problem and rewriting as multiplication, or multiplying the numerator and denominator by a common denominator. The examples demonstrate simplifying complex fractions using these methods.
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Simplifying Complex Rational Expressions
A complex rational expression is a rational expression that contains additional rational
expressions in the numerator, the denominator, or both. We can simplify complex rational expressions by rewriting the numerator and denominator as single rational a expressions and dividing. The complex rational expression 1 can be simplified by +c b a rewriting the numerator as the fraction and combining the expressions in the 1 1+ bc denominator as . We can then rewrite the expression as a multiplication problem b 1 b ab using the reciprocal of the denominator. We get ∙ which is equal to . a 1+ bc 1+ bc HOW TO Given a complex rational expression, simplify it. Combine the expressions in the numerator into a single rational expression by adding or subtracting. Combine the expressions in the denominator into a single rational expression by adding or subtracting. Rewrite as the numerator divided by the denominator. Rewrite as multiplication. Multiply. Simplify.
EXAMPLE 1:
1 y+ x Simplify: x y The same ideas can be used when simplifying complex rational expressions that include more than one rational expression in the numerator or denominator. However, there is a shortcut that can be used. Compare these two examples of simplifying a complex fraction. Method I: Method II: Summary Complex rational expressions are quotients with rational expressions in the divisor, dividend, or both. When written in fractional form, they appear to be fractions within a fraction. These can be simplified by first treating the quotient as a division problem. Then you can rewrite the division as multiplication using the reciprocal of the divisor. Or you can simplify the complex rational expression by multiplying both the numerator and denominator by a denominator common to all rational expressions within the complex expression. This can help simplify the complex expression even faster.
