Yr 10A
Module 4
Algebraic Fractions
Lesson 1: Simplifying algebraic fractions
Homework Lesson 1: 1B # 1-3, 4 i – l; # 5 i-l Kuta software
worksheets
Materials
Essential mathematics
1.2
Lesson 2: Multiplying and dividing algebraic fractions
Homework Lesson 4: 1B # 6; 7 and Kuta software worksheets
Time Required
Lesson 3: Adding and subtracting algebraic fractions
4 periods
Homework Lesson 3: 1B # 8 e – l , 9, 10 Kuta software
worksheets
Test date:
_______________l
Quinns Baptist College
Mathematics 10A
Module 4: Algebraic fractions
Part 1: Simplifying Algebraic fractions
Things to Know:
1. Simplify algebraic fractions by factorising expressions where possible and cancelling common factors.
2. For addition and subtraction, express fractions in terms of their lowest common denominator (LCD) and
combine the numerators.
3. For multiplication, cancel common factors and then multiply the numerators and denominators.
4. For division, multiply by the reciprocal of the fraction following the division sign. The reciprocal of a is 1/a
and the reciprocal of a/b is b/a.
How it’s done:
Simplify the following:
You try:
Calculate:
Simplify:
3 5
 =
4 7
3x  6
=
3
Homework Lesson 1: 1B # 1-3, 4 i – l; # 5 i-l and kuta software worksheet “simplifying rational expressions
Quinns Baptist College
Mathematics 10A
Module 4: Algebraic fractions
Lesson 2: Multiplying and dividing algebraic fractions
Things to Know:
1. For multiplication, cancel common factors and then multiply the numerators and denominators.
How it’s done

×
When multiplying algebraic fractions, multiply the
numerators and the denominators separately.
 Leave out the multiplication sign between pronumerals
in the answer.
 Always check to see whether the answer can be
simplified.
Multiply the numerators and denominators separately.
Always check to see whether the answer can be simplified.
=
Simplify
×
.
2
66826600
4
0
2
2
4
2
×
=
Multiply
answer.
×
and then simplify the
66826602
4
0
3
3
3
4
3
Two ways you can multiply algebraic fractions with common
factors are:


multiply first then simplify
simplify first then multiply
Simplify your answer by dividing top and bottom by all their
common factors (numbers and pronumerals).
You try:
Quinns Baptist College
Mathematics 10A
Module 4: Algebraic fractions
Homework Lesson 2: 1B # 6; 7 Kuta software worksheets: Multiplying rational
expression; Dividing rational expression, Dividing polynomials
Lesson 3: Adding and subtracting algebraic fractions
Things to Know:
1. For addition and subtraction, express fractions in terms of their lowest common denominator (LCD) and
combine the numerators.
How it’s done:

+
=


–
=
–

=



–
=
=
–
If the denominators of algebraic fractions are the
same, simply add or subtract the numerators as the
question requires.
Note that the denominator remains the same because
when you add fifths, you get fifths.
When adding or subtracting fractions, you may need to
rewrite some of them as equivalent fractions so that all
the denominators are the same.
Find the lowest common denominator, (LCD), of all the
fractions and rewrite them with this denominator.
The LCD is the smallest number that is a multiple of
each and every original denominator.
When rewriting a fraction, multiply the top and bottom
by the same number.
Convert the fractions so they both have the lowest
common denominator.

Add or subtract the numerators. (The denominator stays
the same.)

Simplify the answer if possible.
You try:
Quinns Baptist College
Mathematics 10A
Module 4: Algebraic fractions
Homework Lesson 3: 1B # 8e-L, 9, 10
Quinns Baptist College
Mathematics 10A
Module 4: Algebraic fractions