Warm Up
BUILDING,
UNDERSTANDING
AND SIMPLIFYING
RATIONAL
EXPRESSIONS
KCAS
High School Algebra
Arithmetic with Polynomials and Rational Expressions (AAPR)
Rewrite rational expressions
Standard (A-APR.7) – (+) Understand that rational expressions form a
system
analogous to the rational numbers, closed under addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division by a nonzero rational expression; add, subtract,
multiply, and divide rational expressions.
I can simplify a rational expression.
Start with a simple
fraction like
Multiply both the
numerator and
denominator by the
arbitrary number 5.
Let x represent the number 3.
When x = 3,
then 4 becomes x + 1
And 5
Why?
becomes x + 2
Now the
fraction
becomes
WHY?
Use the distributive property
and the multiplication of binomials
to reveal :
Algebraic Rational
Expression
An
You can now check yourself
by replacing x with 3.
What is the result?
You can now reverse this thinking process
to simplify any algebraic rational expression.
Try the whole process with
And multiply by
Check your results and then work backwards
to simply your algebraic rational expression.
Try
and multiply by
Check your results and then work
backwards
to simply your algebraic rational
expression.
Try
and multiply by
Check your results and then work
backwards
to simply your algebraic rational
expression.
Ready?
Simplify Each:
1.
2.