If a rational expression is expressed in factored form, we can sometimes make the expression even simpler by pulling out factors that are common in both the numerator and denominator.
For example, suppose that we want to simplify the rational expression
If we decompose into we can pull out a factor of from both the numerator and denominator:
The fraction is the same as and anything times is just itself, so
Note: There is a shortcut! We can just "cancel" a from the numerator and denominator.
Simplify
First, we decompose all of the terms into their prime factors. The in the numerator becomes and the in the denominator becomes
Then, we cancel out all the pairs of common factors in the numerator and denominator. In this case, there are two pairs of 's.
Thus, the expression simplifies to
$\dfrac {12(a-4)} {18} = $
|
a
|
$\dfrac{a-4}{6}$ |
|
b
|
$\dfrac{6}{a-4}$ |
|
c
|
$\dfrac{4}{9}$ |
|
d
|
$\dfrac{3(a-4)}{2}$ |
|
e
|
$\dfrac{2(a-4)}{3}$ |
$\dfrac {10x} {12(x+1)} = $
|
a
|
$\dfrac{5x}{6(x+1)}$ |
|
b
|
$\dfrac{4(x+1)}{3x}$ |
|
c
|
$\dfrac{5}{6}$ |
|
d
|
$\dfrac{x}{x+1}$ |
|
e
|
$\dfrac{3x}{4(x+1)}$ |
Simplify
First, we decompose all of the terms into their prime factors.
Then, we cancel out all the pairs of common factors in the numerator and denominator. In this case, there is one pair of 's.
Thus, the expression simplifies to
Which of the following is equivalent to $\dfrac {x(x + 1)} {7x}?$
|
a
|
$\dfrac{x^2 + x} {7}$ |
|
b
|
$\dfrac {x(x + 1)} {7}$ |
|
c
|
$\dfrac {x} {7}$ |
|
d
|
$\dfrac {x + 1} {7}$ |
|
e
|
$\dfrac {x + 1} {x}$ |
What is $\dfrac {xy} {xz}$ reduced to lowest terms?
|
a
|
$\dfrac {x} {z}$ |
|
b
|
$\dfrac {xy} {z}$ |
|
c
|
$\dfrac {xy} {xz}$ |
|
d
|
$\dfrac {z} {x}$ |
|
e
|
$\dfrac {y} {z}$ |
Simplify
First, we decompose all of the terms into their prime factors. The in the numerator becomes and the in the denominator becomes
Then, we cancel out all the pairs of common factors in the numerator and denominator. In this case, there is one pair of 's and one pair of 's.
Thus, the expression simplifies to
$\dfrac {14y(y+5)} {21y} = $
|
a
|
$\dfrac{2y}{3}$ |
|
b
|
$\dfrac{2(y+5)}{3}$ |
|
c
|
$\dfrac{2(y+5)}{3y}$ |
|
d
|
$\dfrac{2y(y+5)}{7}$ |
|
e
|
$\dfrac{y(y+5)}{7}$ |
$\dfrac {6ab } {15 a} = $
|
a
|
$\dfrac{2}{5}$ |
|
b
|
$\dfrac{2b}{5a}$ |
|
c
|
$\dfrac{2b}{5}$ |
|
d
|
$\dfrac{b}{3a}$ |
|
e
|
$\dfrac{2ab}{5}$ |
Simplify
First, we decompose all of the terms into their prime factors. The in the numerator becomes and the in the denominator becomes
Then, we cancel out all the pairs of common factors in the numerator and denominator. In this case, there is one pair of 's and one pair of 's.
Thus, the expression simplifies to
What is $\dfrac {18b(3-c)}{12(3-c)}$ reduced to lowest terms?
|
a
|
$3b$ |
|
b
|
$\dfrac{3b}{3-c}$ |
|
c
|
$3(3-c)$ |
|
d
|
$\dfrac{3b}{2}$ |
|
e
|
$9b$ |
$\dfrac {10 (y + 3)} {5 (y + 3) }=$
|
a
|
$2$ |
|
b
|
$\dfrac{y+3}{2}$ |
|
c
|
$10 (y + 3)$ |
|
d
|
$\dfrac {2} {(y + 3) }$ |
|
e
|
$(y + 3)$ |