2. The rules in multiplying and dividing rational expressions
are the same as the rules in multiplying and dividing real
valued fractions. Let a, b, c and d be polynomials.
Then,
𝑎
𝑏
∙
𝑐
𝑑
=
𝑎𝑐
𝑏𝑑
, for all b and d not equal to zero;
𝑎
𝑏
÷
𝑐
𝑑
=
𝑎
𝑏
∙
𝑑
𝑐
=
𝑎𝑑
𝑏𝑐
, for all a, b, c and d not equal to
zero.
3.
4. The following steps are followed to multiply
rational expressions.
1. Express the numerators and denominators as
factors.
2. Cancel out common factors.
3. Perform multiplication of factors.
5. Example: Simplify the rational expressions.
1. Express the numerators and denominators as factors.
2. Cancel out common factors.
3. Perform multiplication of factors.
𝟑𝒙
𝟒
∙ 𝟖
𝟑𝒙
𝟒
∙ 𝟖 =
𝟑𝒙
𝟒
∙ 𝟒. 𝟐
𝟑𝒙
𝟒
∙ 𝟖 =
𝟑𝒙
𝟒
∙ 𝟒. 𝟐
𝟑𝒙
𝟒
∙ 𝟖 =
𝟑𝒙
𝟒
∙ 𝟒. 𝟐 = 𝟑𝒙. 𝟐 = 𝟔𝒙
= 𝟔𝒙
17. 5. Perform multiplication of factors.
The following are the steps in dividing rational
expressions:
1. Get the reciprocal of the divisor.
2. Change the operation to multiplication.
3. Express the numerators and denominators as factors.
4. Cancel out the common factors.
18. 5. Perform multiplication of factors.
1. Get the reciprocal of the divisor.
2. Change the operation to multiplication.
3. Express the numerators and
denominators as factors.
4. Cancel out the common factors.
Example: Simplify the rational expressions.
−
𝟒𝒙
𝟑
÷ 𝟏𝟔
𝟏
𝟏𝟔
−
𝟒𝒙
𝟑
∙
𝟏
𝟒. 𝟒
−
𝟒𝒙
𝟑
∙
𝟏
𝟏𝟔
−
𝟒𝒙
𝟑
∙
𝟏
𝟒. 𝟒
= −
𝒙. 𝟏
𝟑. 𝟒
= −
𝒙
𝟏𝟐
= −
𝒙
𝟏𝟐
19. 5. Perform multiplication of factors.
1. Get the reciprocal of the divisor.
2. Change the operation to multiplication.
3. Express the numerators and
denominators as factors.
4. Cancel out the common factors.
Example: Simplify the rational expressions.
𝒚 + 𝟏
𝒚 − 𝟒
÷
𝒚 + 𝟓
𝒚 − 𝟒
𝒚 − 𝟒
𝒚 + 𝟓
𝒚 + 𝟏
𝐲 − 𝟒
∙
𝒚 − 𝟒
𝐲 + 𝟓
𝒚 + 𝟏
𝐲 − 𝟒
∙
𝒚 − 𝟒
𝐲 + 𝟓
𝒚 + 𝟏
𝐲 − 𝟒
∙
𝒚 − 𝟒
𝐲 + 𝟓
=
𝒚 + 𝟏(𝟏)
𝟏(𝒚 + 𝟓)
=
𝒚 + 𝟏
𝒚 + 𝟓
=
𝒚 + 𝟏
𝒚 + 𝟓