SIMPLIFYING RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS

An expression of the form f(x)/g(x) where f(x) and g(x) are two polynomials over the set of real numbers and g(x) ≠ 0 is called a rational expression.

Examples :

The following steps will be useful to simplify rational expressions.

Step 1 :

Factor both numerator and denominator, if possible.

Step 2 :

Identify the common factors in both numerator and denominator.

Step 3 :

Remove the common factors found in both numerator and denominator.

The following identities can be used to factor the expressions in numerator and denominator.

(a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2

(a - b)2 = a2 - 2ab + b2

a2 - b2 = (a + b)(a - b)

(a + b)3 = a3 + 3a2b + 3ab2 + b2

(a - b)3 = a3 - 3a2b + 3ab2 - b2

a3 + b3 = (a + b)(a2 - ab + b3)

a3 - b3 = (a - b)(a2 + ab + b3)

Simplify each of the following rational expressions :

Example 1 :

Solution :

Example 2 :

Solution :

Example 3 :

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Example 4 :

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Example 5 :

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Example 6 :

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Example 7 :

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Example 8 :

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Example 9 :

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Example 10 :

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Example 11 :

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Example 12 :

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Example 13 :

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Example 14 :

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Example 15 :

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Example 16 :

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Example 17 :

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Example 18 :

Solution :

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