Math IIB: Advanced Algebra

Lesson 3.1: Simplifying Rational Algebraic

Expressions

Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson, you (student) should be able to:
1. Review numerical fractions
2. Simplify complex fractions
3. Simplify rational expressions

Materials and Equipment Needed

1. Laptop/Netbook
2. Module
3. Notebook/Short-sized bond paper
* Learning Tasks / Learning Check must be answered in your notebook/ short-sized bond
paper.

Learning Activities
Before our discussion on the topic presented above, let us first answer the activity below.
Tell whether if the following is a rational algebraic expression or not.
1. 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 2
2𝑥+3
2.
6𝑦
3. 𝑥 3 + 9
5𝑥
1+ 2
4.
4𝑥

Learning Probe
Based on the activity performed, how to identify if the given algebraic expression is a rational or
not?

Learning Time
At this time, we will be reviewing the definition of a rational number and acquire the necessary
skills in simplifying this and also perform different operations involving rational expressions.

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Reviewing Fractions
𝑎
A rational number of the form , where 𝑏 ≠ 0, is called a fraction. The quantities 𝑎 and 𝑏
𝑏
are the terms of the fraction. The term 𝑎 is called the numerator and the term 𝑏 is called the
denominator.
Simplifying Fractions
A fraction is said to be reduced to its lowest terms when the greatest common factor
(GCF) of its numerator and denominator is 1.

Table 1. Reducing fractions to lowest term

To reduce a fraction to its lowest terms:

1. Find the GCF of the numerator and denominator.

2. Divide both the numerator and denominator by the GCF.

Example 1
Reduce each fraction to its lowest terms.
14 25
a. b.
21 35

Solution:
a. The GCF of 14 and 21 is 7.
14 14÷7
=
21 21÷7
2
=
3
14 2
Hence, when reduced to lowest terms is .
21 3

b. The GCF of 35 and 25 is 5

35 35 ÷ 5
=
25 25 ÷ 5
7
=
5
35 7
Thus, = in lowest term.
25 5

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Learning Tasks
NOW TRY EXERCISE 1
1. Reduce the fraction below to its lowest term.
12 33
a. b.
30 121

Table 2. Multiplying Fractions

Multiplying Fractions

In multiplying two or more fractions, simply multiply their

numerators, and then multiply their denominators. In
𝑎 𝑐
symbols, if and are the fractions, then
𝑏 𝑑
𝑎 𝑐 𝑎𝑐
∙ =
𝑏 𝑑 𝑏𝑑

Example 2
Find each product.
5 3 2 1 3
a. ∙ b. 1 ∙ 2 ∙
7 2 3 2 4

Solution:
5 3 15 1
a. ∙ = or 1
7 2 14 14

b. First, express the mixed numbers as improper fractions.

2 5 1 5
1 = and 2 =
3 3 2 2

Whenever possible use cancellation

2 1 3 5 5 3
1 ∙ 2 ∙ = ∙ ∙ (cancel 3, common factor)
3 2 4 3 2 4
25 1
= 𝑜𝑟 3
8 8

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Learning Tasks
NOW TRY EXERCISE 2
2. Find the product
6 7 26
∙ ∙
13 12 14

Table 3. Dividing Fractions

Dividing Fractions

In dividing a fraction by another, multiply the reciprocal of

𝑎 𝑐
the divisor by the dividend. In symbols, if and are
𝑏 𝑑
fractions, then
𝑎 𝑐 𝑎 𝑑 𝑎𝑑
÷ = ∙ =
𝑏 𝑑 𝑏 𝑐 𝑏𝑐

Example 3
Find the quotient
12 3
a. ÷
25 5

Solution
12 3 12 5
÷ = ∙
25 5 25 3
4
=
5

Learning Tasks
NOW TRY EXERCISE 3

3. Find the quotient

2 12
1 ÷
3 25

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 Math IIB: Advanced Algebra

Adding and Subtracting Fractions

Two or more fractions are similar if they have the same denominator. Only similar
fractions can be added or subtracted.

Table 4. Adding and Subtracting Similar Fractions

To combine similar fractions, combine the numerators and

𝑎 𝑐
keep the common denominator. In symbols, if and are
𝑏 𝑏
fractions, then
𝑎 𝑐 𝑎±𝑐
± =
𝑏 𝑏 𝑏

Example 4
Perform the indicated operations
7 8
+
11 11

Solution
7 8 15 4
+ = 𝑜𝑟 1
11 11 11 11

Learning Tasks
NOW TRY EXERCISE 4

Perform the indicated operation.

2 4
8 +3
5 5

Table 5. Adding and Subtracting Dissimilar Fraction

To add or subtract dissimilar fractions, first, rewrite them as

𝑎 𝑐
similar fractions. In symbols, if and are fractions, and 𝑒 is
𝑏 𝑑
the least common denominator (LCD), then
𝑒𝑎 𝑒𝑐
𝑎 𝑐 +
𝑏 𝑑
± =
𝑏 𝑑 𝑒

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Example 5
Perform the indicated operations.
5 5
+
8 12

Solution
The LCD is 24
5 5 15+10 25 1
+ = = 𝑜𝑟1
8 12 24 24 24

Learning Tasks
NOW TRY EXERCISE 5

5. Perform the indicated operation.

8 11
1 −
9 5

Simplifying Complex Fraction

Complex fractions have fractions in their numerator or denominator or in both.

Example 6
Simplify the complex fraction below.
3 2
−
7 5
5 1
+
6 5

Solution
A complex fraction can be simplified by individually simplifying the terms of the
complex fraction to obtain a single fraction.
3 2 15−14 1
− 1 30 6
7 5 35 35
5 1 = 25+6 = 31 = ∙ =
+ 35 31 217
6 5 30 30

NOW TRY EXERCISE 6

6. Simplify the complex fraction below.

3
4−
3
8 4
+
9 3

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 Math IIB: Advanced Algebra

Simplifying Rational expression

𝑛
Algebraic expressions of the form , where 𝑛 and 𝑑 are polynomials, and 𝑑 ≠ 0 are called
𝑑
rational expression. Examples of rational expressions are,
1 𝑥 𝑦 2 +3𝑦−2 −7
, , , 3
5 𝑥−1 4−𝑦 𝑧 −8

It is emphasized that the denominator of a rational expression cannot be equal to zero. If

this happens, the expression will be undefined. Whenever a rational expression contains a
variable in the denominator, it will be assumed that the value or values of the variable that will
make the denominator zero are excluded.
There are three signs associated with any fraction: the sign of the numerator, the sign of
the denominator, and the sign of the fraction.
If no sign is indicated in any term of the fraction, or in the fraction itself, it is assumed to
be positive. Hence,

𝑛 +𝑛
means +
𝑑 +𝑑
𝑛 +𝑛
− means − , and
𝑑 +𝑑
𝑛 +𝑛
means +
−𝑑 −𝑑
𝑥 −𝑥
Generally, a negative denominator is avoided. For instance the expression − or is
2 2
𝑥
preferred instead of .
−2

A rational expression is said to be in lowest terms when its numerator and denominator
have no common factors other than 1. In reducing a rational expression to lowest terms, divide
both the terms of the rational expression by the greatest common factor of the terms.

Example 7
15𝑥 3 𝑦 4 𝑧
Reduce to lowest terms.
12𝑥 2 𝑦 5 𝑤

Solution
The greatest common factor of 15𝑥 3 𝑦 4 𝑧 and 12𝑥 2 𝑦 5 𝑤 is 3𝑥 2 𝑦 4 .
15𝑥 3 𝑦 4 15𝑥 3 𝑦 4 𝑧 ÷3𝑥 2 𝑦 4 5𝑥𝑧
= =
12𝑥 2 𝑦 5 𝑤 12𝑥 2 𝑦 5 ÷3𝑥 2 𝑦 4 4𝑦𝑤

Example 8
18𝑥 3 −12𝑥
Reduce to lowest terms.
12𝑥

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Solution
The factored form of 18𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 is 6𝑥(3𝑥 − 2). hence, the GCF of 18𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 is 6𝑥.
𝑥 2 −12𝑥 6𝑥(3𝑥−2) 3𝑥−2
= =
12𝑥 6𝑥∙2 2

Learning Tasks
NOW TRY EXERCISE 7 and 8

Reduce to lowest term.

𝑦 2 −25 3𝑥 2 +7𝑥−6
7. 8.
𝑦−5 𝑥 2 +𝑥−6

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Learning Check

Instructions: Answer the following in your notebook/ short-sized bond paper or using MS Word.

A. Perform the indicated operations. Express the final answers as fractions in lowest terms.
5 7
1. 11 + 9
6 15

5 3
2. −
6 4

3 16 9
3. (− ) ∙ ∙ (−4 )
12 30 10

7 1
4. − ÷ (− )
9 9

B. Simplify each complex fraction.

12 5
−
5. 15 4
5 2
÷
9 3

C. Reduce each fraction to lowest term

7𝑥 2 𝑦2 −36𝑎2 𝑥𝑦𝑧 3
6. 7.
14𝑥 3𝑦 84𝑎𝑦𝑧 3

D. Simplify each rational expression to lowest term

𝑦 2 +3𝑦+2 𝑦 2 +3𝑦+2 𝑥 2 +5𝑥+4

8. 9. 10.
2𝑎2 +6𝑎 𝑦 2 −1 𝑥 2 −3𝑥−4

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Instructions on How to Submit Student Output

ONLINE SUBMISSION
Submit your LEARNING TASKS and CHECK by the following steps:
1. In your Microsoft word file / paper, write or type in the information needed below. (kindly
see sample in the table)

Student’s Name: Subject:

Grade Level & Section: Mobile Number:
Module No.: Lesson No.
Date of Submission:

LEARNING TASKS

2. Include a short introductory message expressing polite and kind words like “Good
Morning, Maam! Here is my.”
3. Submit your answers using a screenshot of your output/ in a word file/ PDF format with a
file name “Surname_MathIIB Lesson 1.1” (ex. Dela Cruz_MathIIB Lesson 1.1) to our google
classroom.
4. If you need more clarifications, feel free to send me a message through e-mail, cellular
phone 09484143834, or in FB messenger (FB account: Nancy Cabintoy Donayre –
Abunda) during business hours only from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
OFFLINE SUBMISSION
Submit your LEARNING TASKS and CHECK by the following steps:
1. Encoded or hand-written answers are both acceptable.
2. In your Microsoft word file / paper, write or type in the information needed below. (kindly
see sample in the table)

Student’s Name: Subject:

Grade Level & Section: Mobile Number:
Module No.: Lesson No.
LEARNING TASKS

3. Include a short introductory message expressing polite and kind words like “Good
Morning, Maam! Here is my.”
4. Submit your outputs in the designated VSUIHS Learning Kiosk on the date of submission
stipulated in every lesson embedded in the module or you are highly recommended to
submit it in our google classroom.
5. If you are living outside Baybay City, please submit it through courier or VSU Links.
6. If you need more clarifications, feel free to send me a message through e-mail, cellular
phone 09484143834, or in FB messenger (FB account: Nancy Cabintoy Donayre –
Abunda) during business hours from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

The deadline of submission of this lesson is on December 11, 2020.

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