Rational Expressions 2 - Simplifying
In this lesson, we learn how to simplify algebraic rational expressions by factoring the numerator and denominator and canceling out common factors. The lesson also emphasizes the importance of not canceling out terms unless they have been fully factored. The examples provided demonstrate how to handle problems with common factors, opposites, and quadratic trinomials in the denominator. Overall, this lesson teaches a fundamental skill in algebra that will be useful in many different applications.
Examples of simplifying algebraic rational expressions by factoring the numerator and denominator in order to cancel factors to reduce the rational expression to a simplified form.
More free YouTube videos by Julie Harland are organized at http://yourmathgal.com
- How do you simplify rational expressions?
- What does it mean to simplify rational expressions?
- How do you simplify 8x^3/6x?
- How do you simplify (5 + 2x)/(2x + 5)?
- How would you simplify (5 - 2x)/(2x - 5)?
- What does (2 - 3y)/(3y - 2) equal?
- How do you simplify (x^2 - 3x)/(2x - 6)?
- How would you simplify (5xy - 3y)/(9 - 15x)?
- How do you use factoring to simplify rational expressions?
- How do you simplify (4 - n^2)/(n^2 - 3n - 10)?
- How do you simplify (2x + 1)/(12x^2 + 4x - 1)?
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Staff Review
This video shows several good examples of simplifying rational expressions. Many good concepts are discussed and some problems that are often difficult for students are shown. Factoring is used to find common factors and cancel out common factors from the numerator and denominator. -
