CM #3 (Rational Expressions)

RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS
3
Learning Objectives: At the end of this unit, you should be able to:

1. reduce rational expressions to lowest terms;

2. perform operations on rational expressions; and
3. simplify complex fractions.

INTRODUCTION

A numerical fraction is an indicated quotient of two integers provided the

denominator is not zero. In this unit, we extend the idea of a fraction by considering a
quotient of two polynomials. This quotient is called an algebraic fraction or rational
expression. Since the idea of a rational expression is an extension of the idea of
numerical fractions, all operations applied to numerical fractions can be applied to
rational expressions.

For a given fraction, the numerator and the denominator are also referred to as
the terms of the fraction. Thus, a rational expression is said to be in lowest terms if the
numerator and the denominator do not have a common factor except 1.

To reduce a rational expression to lowest terms, the numerator and

denominator have to be factored out completely so that equal factors appearing in both
terms are cancelled out.

8x 4 y 2
Example 3.1 Reduce to lowest terms.
16 x 7 y 8

8x 4 y 2 8  x4  y2 1
Solution: = = .
7 8
16 x y 8 2 x  x  y  y
4 3 2 6
2x 3 y 6

x 2  5x  6
Example 3.2 Express in lowest form.
x2  9

x 2  5x  6 x  3x  2 x 2
Solution: = = .
x 9
2
x  3x  3 x  3

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

CM #3 (Rational Expressions) 61

2x 2  5x  12
Example 3.3 Reduce the fraction to lowest terms.
4x 2  4x  3

2x 2  5x  12 2x  3x  4  x  4
Solution: = = .
4x  4x  3
2
2x  12x  3 2 x  1

As shown in the last two examples, knowledge of the different techniques of

factoring polynomials is needed to be able to reduce an algebraic fraction to lowest
terms. In the succeeding discussion, we will use the word fraction to mean either
algebraic fraction or numerical fraction.

Exercise 3.1 Reduce the following fractions to lowest terms.

4a 2 b a 2  b2 x 4  16
1. 11. 21.
12ab 2 a 2  2ab  b 2 (x 2  4)(2  x)

21a x2 y 3 2 x 2  9 x  15 1  27 x 3
2. 12. 22.
14a xy x 2  25 9x 2  1

m3 x 4 y 5 x 2  16 6m 2  7m  3
3. 13. 2 23.
2m 5 x 2 y 9 x  8 x  16 4 m 2  8m  3

14a 4 b 5 x2  x  6 10 x 2  xy  2y 2
4. 14. 24.
49a 3 b 7 2x 2  7x  6 5x 2  7 xy  2y 2

12 x 2 y 5 x 2  6x  7 5x 2  4 xy  y 2
5. 15. 25.
18 x 10 y 3 x 2  8x  7 15x 2  13xy  2y 2

24m 2 n 3 x 2  x  12 6 x 2  35y 2  xy
6. 16. 26.
32m 6 n 4 x 2  9 x  20 15x 2  14 y 2  41xy
3x  3y 5x 2  5x  10 4ax 2  6ax  9a
7. 17. 27.
6 x 2  6y 2 10 x 2  20 x 8a 2 x 3  27a 2
6a 2 (4  3x) 2 x 2  3x  2 4 x 2  2x  2
8. 18. 28.
8a(3x  4) 2x 2  7x  3 2x 3  x 2  2x  1

x2  4 8  2x  x 2 6 x 2  13x  5
9. 2 19. 2 29.
x  x 6 x  3x  4 18 x 3  45x 2  2x  5
x 2  x  12 x3  y3 x 3  2x 2  x  2
10. 20. 2 30.
x 3  64 x  xy  y 2 x 4  3x 2  4

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

CM #3 (Rational Expressions) 62

ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION OF RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS

The principles of adding and subtracting numerical fractions are also applied to
algebraic fractions. We use the following rules for adding or subtracting rational
expressions:

a b ab
Rule 1:   [For Similar Fractions]
c c c
a c ad  bc
Rule 2:   [For Non-similar Fractions]
b d db

Example 3.4

5 3 4 534 4
1.     .
x x x x x

2a  b - 3a  4b 2a  b  - 3a   4b - a  5b
2.    .
x  3y x  3y x  3y x  3y

x 2  2x 1 x 2  2x  1 x  1x  1 x  1
3.    
x2  1 x2  1 x2  1 (x  1)(x  1) x  1

When the fractions are not similar, the least common denominator (LCD) must
be obtained and the fractions renamed to their equivalent forms with the LCD as the
denominator. This procedure makes the given fractions similar.

3 2
Example 3.5 Add: 
8 5

3 2 (3)(5)  (2)(8) 15  16 31
Solution 1:  =   .
8 5 (8)(5) 40 40

Solution 2: In arithmetic, we determine first the least common denominator (LCD) of the
denominators which is 40. We rename the two fractions so that each
denominator becomes 40. Thus,

3 2 3  5 2  8 15 16 31
 =     .
8 5 8  5 5  8 40 40 40

When the terms of the fractions are large number, the first solution will yield a
fraction whose numerator and denominator are also large numbers so that reducing the

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

CM #3 (Rational Expressions) 63

sum or difference to lowest terms becomes a problem. Finding the LCD is a more
efficient technique of combining non-similar fractions.

For large denominators we can use the factorization technique to find the LCD of
the fractions. Take a look at the following example.

13 7
Example 3.6 Add: 
24 36

Solution: We first write the denominators in prime factored form:

24 = 3  8 = 3  2  2  2 = 23  3
36 = 4  9 = 2  2  3  3 = 22  32
From the factored form, we note that 2 and 3 are prime factors of 24 and 36.
The LCD is obtained by raising each prime factor to the highest power that
appears in the factorization of 24 and 36. Thus, we raise 2 to the power 3, and 3
to the power 2. The LCD is therefore 23  32. Thus,

13 7 13 7 13 3 7 2
 = 3  2 2 3   2 2
24 36 2 3 2 3 2 3 3 2 3 2

39 14 39  14 53
=  3 2  3 2  .
2 3
3 2
2 3 2 3 72

The procedure illustrated in Example 3.6 is generally used in combining rational

expressions. Adding or subtracting non-similar fractions can therefore be done using
the following steps:

Step 1: Factor out the denominators into irreducible factors;

Step 2: Identify all prime factors involved in the factored denominators;
Step 3: Get the LCD by raising each prime factor to the highest power that appears in
the factored denominators;
Step 4: With the LCD as reference, identify the missing factors of the original
denominators (factored form);
Step 5: Rename each fraction into its equivalent form by multiplying both terms by the
missing factor or factors. This step yields fractions that are already similar;
Step 6: Combine the fractions and reduce the result to lowest terms.

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

CM #3 (Rational Expressions) 64

x 4 x 7
Example 3.7 Add:  .
x 2 x  5

Solution: Since the denominators are already irreducible, the LCD is given by
x  2x  5 . We rename each fraction whose denominator is the LCD. If we
compare the denominator (x – 2) with the LCD, (x + 5) is missing. Similarly, if
we compare the denominator (x + 5) with the LCD (x – 2) is missing. Thus, we
have

x  4 x  7 x  4 x  5 x  7x  2
 = 
x  2 x  5 x  2x  5 x  5x  2

x  4 x  5  x  7x  2
= (Why?)
x  2x  5

=
x 2
 9 x  20  x 2  9 x  14 
x  2x  5

2 x 2  34
= .
x  2x  5

6 3 2
Example3.8 Simplify  2  2 .
x  1 x  2 x  1 x  3x  2
2

Solution: We will outline the steps stated above to simplify the above expression.

Step 1: Factor out all denominators into irreducible factors.

x2 – 1 = (x – 1)(x + 1)
x2 – 2x + 1 = (x – 1)(x – 1) = (x – 1)2
x2 + 3x + 2 = (x + 1)(x + 2)

Step 2: Identify all irreducible factors involved in the factored denominators.

The irreducible factors involved are (x – 1), (x + 1), and (x + 2).

Step 3: Get the LCD by raising each factor to the highest power that
appears in the factored denominators.

LCD = (x – 1)2(x + 1)(x + 2) (Why?)

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

CM #3 (Rational Expressions) 65

Step 4: With the LCD as reference, identify the missing factors of each original
denominator (factored form);

For (x – 1)(x + 1), the missing factors are (x + 2) and (x – 1). (Why?)
For (x – 1)2, the missing factors are (x + 1) and (x + 2). (Why?) and
For (x + 1)(x + 2), the missing factor is (x – 1)2.

Step 5: Rename each fraction into its equivalent form by multiplying both terms
of the fraction by the missing factor or factors. Thus,

6 6(x  2)(x  1) 6(x  2)(x  1)

  (Why?)
x  1 (x  1)(x  1)(x  2)(x  1) (x  1)2 (x  1)(x  2)
2

3 3(x  1)(x  2)
 and
x  2x  1 (x  1)2 (x  1)(x  2)
2

2 2(x  1)2 2(x  1)2

 = .
x 2  3x  2 (x  1)(x  2)(x  1)2 (x  1)2 (x  1)(x  2)

Step 6: Combine the fractions and reduce the result to lowest terms. Therefore,

6 3 2
 2  2
x  1 x  2 x  1 x  3x  2
2

6(x  2)(x  1) 3(x  1)(x  2) 2(x  1)2

= + -
(x  1)2 (x  1)(x  2) (x  1)2 (x  1)(x  2) (x  1)2 (x  1)(x  2)

6(x  2)(x  1)  3(x  1)(x  2)  2(x  1)2

= (Why?)
(x  1)2 (x  1)(x  2)

6(x 2  x  2)  3(x 2  3x  2)  2(x 2  2x  1)

=
(x  1)2 (x  1)(x  2)

6 x 2  6 x  12  3x 2  9 x  6  2x 2  4 x  2
=
(x  1)2 (x  1)(x  2)

7 x 2  19 x  8
= (Answer).
(x  1)2 (x  1)(x  2)

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

CM #3 (Rational Expressions) 66

Exercise 3.2 Combine the following fractions.

2 3 7 4x  3 x  1 5x  1
1.  2  11.   2
5x 2 x 10 x x 2x  1 2x  x
(2x  5) (3  2x) 3 2 5m
2.  12.   2
4 3 m  4 4  m m  16
2 3 5 7 3
3. -  13.  2
x y z y  49 y  6y  7
2

x2 y2 x5 x 1
4.  14.  2
y x x  4 x  5 x  3x  10
2

2a  3b 2a  3 3a  4
5. a  b  15.  2
5 3a  a  2 2a  3a  5
2

1 x 3 2x  10
6. x 2  x  1  16.  2
x 1 x  x  2 3x  5x  2
2

5x 3 xy 12xy xy

7.  17.  2 
x  5 25  x 2 3x  2y 9 x  4y 2
3x  2y

3 x2  2 2x  6 3x  15
8.  3 18.  2
x  3 x  27 x  x  12 x  x  6
2

2x x 3 2x  1 2x  4 x
9.  2 19.  
x  1 x  2x  1
2
x 2 4  x 2
4  4x  x 2
2 3 1 1 1
10.  20.  2 
12a  3 2a  4a 2
2
2x  4 x  2 2x  4 x  2 1  x 2
2

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

CM #3 (Rational Expressions) 67

MULTIPLICATION AND DIVISION OF RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS

The rules for multiplying and dividing rational expressions are the same as in
ordinary fractions. Thus,

a c ac a c a d ad
  and  =   .
b d bd b d b c bc

Since the result must always be expressed in lowest form, it is suggested that we
factor out first all numerators and denominators of the fractions so that some factors
that are equal can be cancelled out.

xy x2  y2
Example 3.9 Find the product of and .
xy ( x  y )2

x  y x2  y2 (x  y) (x  y)(x  y) (x  y)(x  y)(x  y)

Solution:  =  = = 1.
x  y (x  y) 2
(x  y) (x  y)(x  y) (x  y)(x  y)(x  y)

5x  15 4 x 2  12 x  8
Example 3.10 Find the product of and .
2x  2 15x  45

5x  15 4 x 2  12 x  8 5(x  3) 4(x 2  3x  2)
Solution:  = 
2x  2 15x  45 2(x  1) 15(x  3)

5(x  3) 2  2  (x  1)  (x  2)
= 
2(x  1) 3  5  (x  3)

2(x  2)
= .
3

x  y (x  y)2 x 2  4 xy  3y 2
Example 3.11. Simplify   .
x  y x  3y x2  y2

x  y (x  y)2 x 2  4 xy  3y 2 (x  y) (x  y)2 (x  3y)(x  y)

Solution:   =  
x  y x  3y x2  y2 (x  y) (x  3y) (x  y)(x  y)

= (x + y).

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

CM #3 (Rational Expressions) 68

x2  1 x 2  3x  2
Example 3.12 Simplify  .
x 2  6 x  8 x 2  3x  4

x2  1 x 2  3x  2 x2  1 x 2  3x  4
Solution: 2  = 2  (Why?)
x  6 x  8 x 2  3x  4 x  6 x  8 x 2  3x  2

(x  1)(x  1) (x  4)(x  1)
= 
(x  4)(x  2) (x  1)(x  2)

(x  1)2
` = (Answer).
(x  2)2

x 2  8 x  15 7 x  10  x 2
Example 3.13 Divide by .
6  5x  x 2 x 2  4x  4

x 2  8 x  15 7 x  10  x 2 x 2  8 x  15 x 2  4 x  4
Solution:  = 
6  5x  x 2 x 2  4x  4 6  5x  x 2 7x  10  x 2

x 2  8 x  15 x 2  4 x  4
=  (Why?)
x 2  5x  6 - (x 2  7x  10)

(x  3)(x  5) (x  2)(x  2)
= 
(x  2)(x  3) - 1  (x  2)(x  5)

= -1 (Answer).

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

CM #3 (Rational Expressions) 69

Exercise 3.3 Perform the indicated operation.

ab  2a 3  3a x 2  2 x  3 x 2  5x  6
1.  16. 
6a  6 2b  b2 10 x  5 2x  1
a  2b ab x2  1 x 2  2x  8
2.  17. 
a  b 5a  10b
2 2
2  x  x 2 2 x 2  5x  3
2 x 2  6 10y 4 6m  6n m2  3mn  2n 2
3.  18. 
5y 3 3x 2  9 m 2  2mn  n 2 12m  24n

a 2  4 3s  3t x 2  5x  6 x 2  2x  3
4.  19. 
s  t a 2  6a  8 2 x 2  9 x  5 2 x 2  3x  1
4  a2 a3 2 x  6y 4 x 2  36y 2
5.  2 20. 
a  a  6 a  3a  2
2
10 5x  15y

x 4  16 x 2 x 2  3x  9 x2  9 x 3  27
6.  2 21.  2  3
x  4x  4 x  4
2
x 3 x  3x  9 x  27
x2  x x2  1  9a 2 b 28ax 2  21a 3 x
7.  22.  2  2 

2x  1 2x 2  x  8c x 15b c  10bc
3

a 2  3a  9 a 2  9 n 2  nx  6 x 2 n  2x
8.  3 23. 
3a  9 a  27 n 3  9nx 2 n  3x
6 x  3 2 x 2  3x  1 3x 2  x  2 2 x 2  x  3
9.  24. 
1  x 2 12 x 3  3x 4 x 2  4 x  3 6x 2  x  2
x3  1 x 2 x 2  14 x  15 x 2  12x  45
10.  2 25.  2
x 4 x  x 1
2
x 2  4x  5 x  6 x  27
2x 2  13x  15 2x  1 2x  1  1  x 1  2 x 2  x  1 
11.   26.  1    
4x 2  9 2x  1 x  5  1 x 2  2 x  1 

2x 2  5xy  3y 2 3y  9 x  3  3x 
12.  27.  4  2   1
y  9x
2 2
10 x 2  5xy  x  1  2 x  1 

x 2  11x  30 x 2  3x x 2  2x  15  a2 
13. 
x 3  6 x 2  9 x x 2  25

x 2  9x
1
28.  - a 2  a 
1a

  (a  1)2  a 
a 

x 2  6 x  7 x  5 x 2  18 x  80 x4  x x2  x  1
14.   29. 
x 2  15x  56 x  1 x 2  5x  50 x2  x  1 x4  x
3x 2  2 x  5 x 2  2 x  3 x 2  4 x  3 x 2  2x  35 x 2  8 x  15
15.  30.  
3x 2  8 x  5 x3  1 x 2  8 x  7 x 2  7x  8 x 2  9 x  8

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

CM #3 (Rational Expressions) 70

SIMPLIFYING COMPLEX FRACTIONS

A complex fraction is a fraction whose numerator or denominator either or both

contains one or more fractions. The following are examples of complex fractions.

2 1 1
x 
3 x, a b
, and
2x 4 2
1
1 x ab

To simplify a complex fraction means to convert it into a simple fraction of the

a
form .
b

1 1

Example 3.14 Simplify a b .
2
ab

1 1 b a ba
 
a  b ab a  b
Solution: a b = ab ab  ab    . (Why?)
2 2 2 ab 2 2
ab ab ab

1
x 1
Example 3.15 Simplify x 1 .
x
1
x 1

1 (x  1)(x  1) 1
x 1 
x 1 = (x  1) x 1
Solution:
x 1  (x  1) x
1 
x 1 (x  1) x 1

(x  1)(x  1)  1
(x  1)
=
(x  1)  x
(x  1)

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

CM #3 (Rational Expressions) 71

x2 11
= x 1
x 1 x
x 1

x2
= x 1
-1
x 1

x 2 (x  1)
=  = -x2.
(x  1) - 1

1
x 1
Therefore, x  1 = -x2.
x
1
x 1

Take note how complex fractions are simplified. First we simplify the
numerator and the denominator. Once done, we perform division of the simplified
numerator and denominator.

x2
x n
Example 3.16 Simplify n .
n2 x 2

x n

x2 nx x 2 n 2
x n  
Solution: n n
= 2 n n
n2 x 2 n  n x2  x
 
x n xn xn
x 2  nx  n 2
= n
n  x3
3

xn
x 2  nx  n 2 x n
= 
n (n  x)(n 2  nx  x 2 )
x
= (Why?)
nx

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

CM #3 (Rational Expressions) 72

Exercise 3.4 Simplify the following complex fractions.

1 2 8 1 x2
  a2 
2
1. 5 6 9. a 17.  2 2
7 a 2 x x
 1
3 2 a 1 x 4
3 5 m2  n2 x 2 x 1
 2 
10. m 2  n 2 18. x  2 x  1
2 2
2. 2 4
3 2m  2n x 2x  3

3 1 mn 1 x x
 1
8 4
1
1
2 1 (x  1)2 x2
1 1 
3. x 11. x 19. x  3 x  3
3 x 1
2 x 2x  5

x 3 x
a2 a4 a3 x 2 x 1
6  
4. 6 12. a  2 a  1 20. x  2 x  1
a a 1 x 2x  3
1 
6 1 x x
1 x
1 1
x a 3
5. 13. 21. 2 x 
1 x2 x
1 a 4
x2 a x 1
x 2x 1
 4
2 3 x2 1
6. 14. 22. 1 
1 x 1 2
 3 2 x
x 2 x 3
x
x
xy y2
x 1
xy 1  y2 1
7. 15. 23. (x  1) -
xy 1 1
x 1
xy 1  y4 (1  x)
x x
n 1
n xy 2
8. 16. 24.
x x 1
1 1 2
n xy 2
1
1 x

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.