Basic Mathematics

Algebraic Fractions
R Horan & M Lavelle The aim of this document is to provide a short, self assessment programme for students who wish to acquire a basic competence in the use of algebraic fractions.

Copyright c 2004 [email protected] , [email protected] Last Revision Date: February 25, 2004 Version 1.0

Table of Contents
1. 2. 3. 4. Algebraic Fractions (Introduction) Addition of Algebraic Fractions Simple Partial Fractions Quiz on Algebraic Fractions Solutions to Exercises Solutions to Quizzes

Section 1: Algebraic Fractions (Introduction)

1. Algebraic Fractions(Introduction)
Algebraic fractions have properties which are the same as those for numerical fractions, the only dierence being that the the numerator (top) and denominator (bottom) are both algebraic expressions. Example 1 Simplify each of the following fractions. (a) Solution (a) (b) 2b , 7b2 (b) 3x + x2 . 6x2

2b 2b 2 = = 7b2 7bb 7b 3x + x2 6x2 = = x (3 + x) x 6x x (3 + x) 3 + x = x 6x 6x

N.B. The cancellation in (b) is allowed since x is a common factor of the numerator and the denominator.

Section 1: Algebraic Fractions (Introduction)

Sometimes a little more work is necessary before an algebraic fraction can be reduced to a simpler form. Example 2 Simplify the algebraic fraction x2 2x + 1 x2 + 2x 3

Solution In this case the numerator and denominator can be factored into two terms, thus x2 2x + 1 = (x 1)2 , and x2 + 2x 3 = (x 1)(x + 3) .

( See the package on factorising expressions). With this established the simplication proceeds as follows: x2 2x + 1 x2 + 2x 3 = = (x 1) (x 1) (x + 3) (x 1) x1 (cancelling (x 1)) x+3

Section 1: Algebraic Fractions (Introduction)

Exercise 1. Simplify each of the following algebraic fractions. (Click on the green letters for solution.) 8y 2y 7a6 b3 (a) (b) (c) 2y 3 4x 14a5 b4 (d) (g) (2x)2 4x 2z 2 4z 2z 2 10z (e) (h) 5y + 2y 2 7y y 2 + 7y + 10 y 2 25 (f) (i) 5ax 15a + 10a2 w2 5w 14 w2 4w 21

Now try this short quiz. Quiz Which of the following is a simplied version of t2 + 3t 4 ? t2 3t + 2 (a) t4 t2 (b) t4 t+2 (c) t+4 t2 (d) t+4 t+2

Section 1: Algebraic Fractions (Introduction)

So far, simplication has been achieved by cancelling common factors from the numerator and denominator. There are fractions which can be simplied by multiplying the numerator and denominator by an appropriate common factor, thus obtaining an equivalent, simpler expression. Example 3 Simplify the following fractions. (a)
1 4

+y
1 2

(b)

3x + 2

1 x

Solution (a) In this case, multiplying both the numerator and the denominator by 4 gives: 1 4 1 +y 1 + 4y 4 4 +y = = 1 1 2 4 2 2 (b) To simplify this expression, multiply the numerator and denominator by x. Thus 3x + 1 1 x 3x + x 3x2 + 1 x = = 2 2x 2x

Section 1: Algebraic Fractions (Introduction)

Now try this exercise on similar examples. Exercise 2. Simplify each of the following algebraic fractions. (Click on the green letters for solution.) 4y 3 2x + 1 z1 2 2 3 (a) (b) (c) 2 x+ 1 z1 4 2 (d) 2 2
1 x

(e)

3t
1 2

2 t

(f)

z z

1 2z 1 3z

For the last part of this section, try the following short quiz. Quiz Which of the following is a simplied version of x x2 x + 1 x2 + x + 1 x2 x + 1 x2 1
1 x+1

x1 (a) (b) (c)

? x2 1 x2 x 1 (d) x2 + x 1 x2 1

Section 2: Addition of Algebraic Fractions

2. Addition of Algebraic Fractions

Addition (and subtraction) of algebraic fractions proceeds in exactly the same manner as for numerical fractions. Example 4 Write the following sum as a single fraction in its simplest form. 2 1 + x+1 x+2 Solution The least common multiple of the denominators (see the package on fractions) is (x + 1)(x + 2). Thus 2 1 + x+1 x+2 = = = 2 (x + 2) 1 (x + 1) + (x + 1) (x + 2) (x + 2) (x + 1) 2x + 4 x+1 + (x + 1)(x + 2) (x + 1)(x + 2) (2x + 4) + (x + 1) 3x + 5 = (x + 1)(x + 2) (x + 1)(x + 2)

Section 2: Addition of Algebraic Fractions

Exercise 3. Evaluate each of the following fractions. (Click on the green letters for solution.) 2 3 1 2 (a) + (b) y z 3y 5y 3z + 1 2z + 1 3t + 1 1 (c) (d) + 3 2 2 t 1 2 5 x+1 + (f) (e) 2 x1 w+3 w1 Quiz Which of the following values of a is needed if a 1 4x + 5 + = ? 2x + 1 x + 2 (2x + 1)(x + 2) (a) a = 3 (b) a = 3 (c) a = 2 (d) a = 2

Section 3: Simple Partial Fractions

10

3. Simple Partial Fractions

The last quiz was an example of partial fractions, i.e. the technique of decomposing a fraction as a sum of simpler fractions. This section will consider the simpler forms of this technique. Example 5 Find the partial fraction decomposition of 4/(x2 4). Solution The denominator factorises as x2 4 = (x 2)(x + 2). (See the package on quadratics.) The partial fractions will, therefore, be of the form a/(x 2) and b/(x + 2). Thus a b 4 + = x 2 (x + 2) (x 2)(x + 2) a(x + 2) b(x 2) + (x 2)(x + 2) (x + 2)(x 2) (a + b)x + 2(a b) (x 2)(x + 2) = = 4 (x 2)(x + 2) 4 (x 2)(x + 2)

so that (a + b)x + 2(a b) = 4

Section 3: Simple Partial Fractions

11

The last line is (a + b)x + 2(a b) = 4 , and this enables a and b to be found. For the equation to be true for all values of x the coecients must match, i.e. a+b 2a 2b = 0 = 4 (coecients of x) (constant terms)

where the rst equation holds since there is no x term in 4/(x2 4). This set of simultaneous equations may be solved to give a = 1 and b = 1. (See the package on simultaneous equations for a method of nding these solutions.) Thus 4 1 1 = (x 2)(x + 2) x 2 (x + 2)

Section 3: Simple Partial Fractions

12

Exercise 4. For each of the following, nd a and b. (Click on the green letters for solution.) a b 4x (a) + = x2 x+2 (x 2)(x + 2) (b) (c) a b z+7 + = z3 z+2 (z 3)(z + 2) a b 3w 2 + = w4 w+1 (w 4)(w + 1)

Now try this nal, short quiz. Quiz If a b x+7 + = , which of the following 2x 3 3x + 4 (2x 3)(3x + 4) is the solution to the equation? (a) a = 1, b = 1 (c) a = 1, b = 1 (b) a = 1, b = 1 (d) a = 1, b = 1

Section 4: Quiz on Algebraic Fractions

13

4. Quiz on Algebraic Fractions

Begin Quiz In each of the following, choose: 1. the simplied form of (z 2 + 4z 5)/(z 2 4z + 3) (a) (z + 5)/(z + 3) (b) (z + 5)/(z 3) (c) (z 5)/(z + 3) (d) (z 5)/(z 3) 2. the sum [1/(w 2)] [1/(w + 7)] (a) 5/(w2 + 5w 14) (c) 9/(w2 5w + 14) (b) 5/(w2 5w + 14) (d) 9/(w2 + 5w 14)

3. a and b if [a/(3x + 2)] + [b/(4x 3)] = (x 5)/[(3x + 2)(4x 3)] (a) a = 1, b = 1 (b) a = 1, b = 1 (c) a = 1, b = 1 (d) a = 1, b = 1 End Quiz

Solutions to Exercises

14

Solutions to Exercises
Exercise 1(a) 8y 2y 3 = = = 4 2y y 2 2y 42y y2 2 y 4 y2

Click on the green square to return

Solutions to Exercises

15

Exercise 1(b) 2y 4x = = = Click on the green square to return 2y 2 2x 2y 2 2x y 2x

Solutions to Exercises

16

7a6 b3 Exercise 1(c) The fraction is . This time, instead of expand14a5 b4 ing the factors, it is easier to use the rule for powers am = amn . an (See the package on powers.) Thus 7a6 b3 14a5 b4 = = = 7 a6 b3 5 4 14 a b 1 65 a b34 2 1 a a1 b1 = 2 2b

Click on the green square to return

Solutions to Exercises

17

Exercise 1(d) (2x)2 4x 2x2x 22x 2x2x = 22x = x. =

Click on the green square to return

Solutions to Exercises

18

Exercise 1(e) 5y + 2y 2 7y = = = Click on the green square to return y (5 + 2y) 7y y (5 + 2y) 7y 5 + 2y . 7

Solutions to Exercises

19

Exercise 1(f ) 5ax 15a + 10a2 = = = 5ax 5 a (3 + 2a) 5ax 5 a (3 + 2a) x 3 + 2a

Click on the green square to return

Solutions to Exercises

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Exercise 1(g) 2z 2 4z 2z 2 10z = = = 2 z (z 2) 2 z (z 5) 2 z (z 2) 2 z (z 5) z2 . z5

Click on the green square to return

Solutions to Exercises

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Exercise 1(h) In this case, some initial factorisation is needed (see the package on factorising expressions). y 2 + 7y + 10 = (y + 5)(y + 2) and y 2 25 = (y + 5)(y 5) Thus y 2 + 7y + 10 y 2 25 = = (y + 5)(y + 2) (y + 5)(y 5) y+2 y5

where the factor (y + 5) has been cancelled. Click on the green square to return

Solutions to Exercises

22

Exercise 1(i) Again, in this case, some initial factorisation is needed (see the package on factorising expressions). w2 5w 14 = (w 7)(w + 2) and w2 4w 21 = (w 7)(w + 3) Thus (w 7)(w + 2) (w 7)(w + 3) w+2 = , w+3 where the factor (w 7) has been cancelled. = Click on the green square to return w2 5w 14 w2 4w 21

Solutions to Exercises

23

Exercise 2(a) The fraction is simplied by multiplying both the numerator and the denominator by 2.
3 2 4y 2 4y 3 8y 3 2 = = 2 22 4 Click on the green square to return

Solutions to Exercises

24

Exercise 2(b) This fraction is simplied by multiplying both the numerator and the denominator by 4. Thus 4 2x + 1 2x + 1 8x + 2 2 2 = 1 = 4x + 1 x+ 4 4 x+ 1 4 Click on the green square to return

Solutions to Exercises

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Exercise 2(c) In this case, since the numerator contains the fraction 1/3 and the denominator contains the fraction 1/2, the common factor needed is 2 3 = 6. Thus z z
1 3 1 2

6 z 6 z

1 3 1 2

6z 2 6z 3

Click on the green square to return

Solutions to Exercises

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Exercise 2(d) For this fraction the required multiplier is x. 2 2

1 x

x 2 2x

1 x

2x 1 2x

Click on the green square to return

Solutions to Exercises

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Exercise 2(e) Here the numerator includes the fraction 2/t and the denominator is the fraction 1/2, so the required multiplier is 2t. 3t
1 2 2 t

2t 3t 2t 1 2

2 t

6t2 4 t

Click on the green square to return

Solutions to Exercises

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Exercise 2(f ) For the last part of this exercise, since the numerator includes the fraction 1/2z and the denominator includes the fraction 1/3z, the common multiplier is 6z. z z
1 2z 1 3z

6z z 6z z

1 2z 1 3z

6z 2 3 6z 2 2

Click on the green square to return

Solutions to Exercises

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Exercise 3(a) The least common multiple of the denominators is yz. Thus 2z 3y + yz zy 2z 3y = + yz yz 3y + 2z = yz Click on the green square to return 2 3 + y z =

Solutions to Exercises

30

Exercise 3(b) Here the least common multiple of the denominators is 15y, so 1 2 3y 5y 51 32 5 3y 3 5y 5 6 15y 15y 56 1 = 15y 15y

= = =

Click on the green square to return

Solutions to Exercises

31

Exercise 3(c) The least common multiple of the denominators of the two fractions in this case is 6. Thus 3z + 1 2z + 1 3 2 2 (3z + 1) 3 (2z + 1) 23 32 6z + 2 6z + 3 6 6 (6z + 2) (6z + 3) 1 = 6 6

= = =

Simplication in this case has shown that the dierence of these two fractions is independent of z. Click on the green square to return

Solutions to Exercises

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Exercise 3(d) The least common multiple of the denominators of the two fractions in this case is 2t. The sum simplies as follows. t (3t + 1) 2 1 + t2 2t 3t2 + t 2 3t2 + t + 2 = + = 2t 2t 2t Click on the green square to return 3t + 1 1 + 2 t =

Solutions to Exercises

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Exercise 3(e) Here the required least common multiple of the denominators is the factor 2(x 1). Proceeding as before: x+1 1 + 2 x1 = = = (x 1) (x + 1) 21 + (x 1) 2 2 (x 1) (x2 1) 2 + 2(x 1) 2(x 1) (x2 1) + 2 x2 + 1 = 2(x 1) 2(x 1)

Click on the green square to return

Solutions to Exercises

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Exercise 3(f ) Here the required least common multiple of the denominators is (w + 3)(w 1) = w2 + 2w 3 . With this in mind, 5 2 w+3 w1 = = = = (w 1) 2 (w + 3) 5 (w 1) (w + 3) (w + 3) (w 1) 2w 2 5w + 15 (w + 3)(w 1) (w + 3)(w 1) (2w 2) (5w + 15) (w + 3)(w 1) 3w 17 = (w + 3)(w 1) 3w + 17 (w + 3)(w 1)

Click on the green square to return

Solutions to Exercises

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Exercise 4(a) Taking common denominators: a b 4x + = x2 x+2 (x 2)(x + 2) b(x 2) a(x + 2) 4x + = (x 2)(x + 2) (x 2)(x + 2) (x 2)(x + 2) (a + b)x + (2a 2b) 4x = (x 2)(x + 2) (x 2)(x + 2) so that (a + b)x + (2a 2b) = 4x. Equating coecients in this case gives a+b = 4 (coecients of x) 2a 2b = 0 (constant terms) Solving this set of equations gives a = 2, b = 2. Hence 2 2 4x + = x2 x+2 (x 2)(x + 2) Click on the green square to return

Solutions to Exercises

36

Exercise 4(b) Taking common denominators: a b z+7 + = z3 z+2 (z 3)(z + 2) b(z 3) a(z + 2) z+7 + = (z 3)(z + 2) (z 3)(z + 2) (z 3)(z + 2) (a + b)z + (2a 3b) z+7 = (z 3)(z + 2) (z 3)(z + 2) so that (a + b)z + (2a 3b) = z + 7. Equating coecients in this case gives a+b = 1 (coecients of z) 2a 3b = 7 (constant terms) Solving this set of equations gives a = 2, b = 1. Hence 2 1 z+7 = z3 z+2 (z 3)(z + 2) Click on the green square to return

Solutions to Exercises

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Exercise 4(c) Taking common denominators: a b 3w 2 + = w4 w+1 (w 4)(w + 1) b(w 4) a(w + 1) 3w 2 + = (w 4)(w + 1) (w 4)(w + 1) (w 4)(w + 1) (a + b)w + (a 4b) 3w 2 = (z 3)(z + 2) (w 4)(w + 1) so that (a + b)w + (a 4b) = 3w 2. Equating coecients in this case gives a+b = 3 (coecients of w) a 4b = 2 (constant terms) Solving this set of equations gives a = 2, b = 1. Hence 2 1 3w 2 + = w4 w+1 (w 4)(w + 1) Click on the green square to return

Solutions to Quizzes

38

Solutions to Quizzes
Solution to Quiz: The numerator and denominator respectively factorise as t2 + 3t 4 = (t 1)(t + 4) and t2 3t + 2 = (t 1)(t 2) so that (t 1)(t + 4) (t 1)(t 2) t+4 = t2 where the factor (t 1) has been cancelled from the rst equation. End Quiz = t2 + 3t 4 t2 3t + 2

Solutions to Quizzes

39

Solution to Quiz: For , the common multiplier is (x + 1). Multiplying the x1 numerator and the denominator by this gives: x
1 x+1

1 x+1

(x + 1) x =

1 x+1

x1

(x + 1)(x 1) (x + 1)x (x + 1)
1 (x+1)

= =

(x2 1) x +x1 x2 1
2

End Quiz

Solutions to Quizzes

40

Solution to Quiz: Writing all the fractions with a common denominator 4x + 5 a 1 = + (2x + 1)(x + 2) 2x + 1 x + 2 a(x + 2) (2x + 1) = + (2x + 1)(x + 2) (2x + 1)(x + 2) ax + 2a + 2x + 1 = (2x + 1)(x + 2) (a + 2)x + (2a + 1) = (2x + 1)(x + 2) so that (a + 2)x + (2a + 1) = 4x + 5. This gives two equations a+2 = 4 2a + 1 = 5 The solution is a = 2. coecients of x constant coecients End Quiz

Solutions to Quizzes

41

Solution to Quiz: Writing all the fractions with a common denominator a x+7 b + = 2x 3 3x + 4 (2x 3)(3x + 4) a(3x + 4) b(2x 3) x+7 + = (2x 3)(3x + 4) (2x 3)(3x + 4) (2x 3)(3x + 4) (3a + 2b)x + (4a 3b) x+7 = (2x 3)(3x + 4) (2x 3)(3x + 4) so that (3a + 2b)x + (4a 3b) = x + 7. This gives two equations 3a + 2b 4a 3b = 1 = 7 (coecients of x) (constant terms) End Quiz

Solving these gives a = 1, b = 1.