Rational Algebraic Expressions IMPORTANT RULES

1) Any non-zero number raised to zero is equal to one (1).

Terminologies 0 0
Ex: x =1 1000 =1
1. Rational Algebraic Expressions – a ratio of two 3x 30
( 1 ) 3
= =
p y z ( 1) z z
0
polynomials, , where p and q are real numbers, and
q x+ y x+ y
the denominator, q ≠ 0 .
= =x + y
( x− y ) 0
(1)
2. Prime Factor – factors that are not factorable.
2) Any term divided by itself is equal to one (1).

3. Factored Form – means to simplify a fraction in simplest 3 x2 2 x +1

Ex: =1 =1
form. 3x
2
2 x +1
3
25 m np
4. Cancellation – a method of dividing a factor in the =5 p
5 m3 n
numerator by the same factor in the denominator.
3) If the term is raised to a negative exponent, you will get
5. Degree – the highest exponent in an algebraic expression.
the reciprocal of that term, and the exponent will be
positive.
Type of Expression Degree
−4 1 2 2m
3
Constant 0 Ex: x = 4 =
Linear 1 x m−3 n n
Quadratic 2 3 a−6 c 2 3 b 4 c 2
Cubic 3 −4
= 6
Quartic 4 11b d 11a d
Quintic 5
Simplifying RAE
It is NOT an algebraic expression if:
? Exponent is negative. To simplify rational algebraic expressions:
? Exponent is fraction. 1. Factor out the Greatest Common Monomial Factor
? Exponent is radicand. (GCMF), if there is.
? Variable is in the denominator. 2. Factor the expressions in the numerator and
? Variable is in the radical sign. denominator.
3. Use cancellation method for the same factors in the
LAWS OF EXPONENTS numerator and denominator.

a) Power of a Product ( x m ) ( x n )=x m +n 4 a+8 b 4 ( a+2 b )

Example 1 = Use GCMF.
Ex: ( x 2 y 3 ) ( x 4 y ) =x6 y 4 12 4 ( 3)
x x3 +1 x 4 + x
∙ =
x+1 y xy + y 4 ( a+ 2b )
¿ Cancellation.
m n 4 ( 3)
b) Power of a Power ( x ) =x mn

3 3
Ex: ( x y ) =x 6 y 9
2
a+2 b
¿
( 2x ) = 16x
4 4
3

15 c 3 d 4 e 3∙ 5 c 3 d 4 e
m Example 2 = Use GCMF.
c) Power of a Quotient
x
=x
m−n 12c 2 d 5 w 3∙ 4 c 2 d 5 w
n
x
3 4
a5 b 24 c 2 6 3∙ 5 c d e
Ex: =a = ¿ 2 5 Cancellation.
a4 b 4 c3 d cd 3∙ 4 c d w
 4 2 4 −2 2 3−2
2x y z 2∙x ∙z x 5c e
2 5
= 5−2
= 3 ¿ 5− 4 Power of Quotient.
18 x y z 18 ∙ y ∙ z 9 y 4d w

5 ce
¿
4 dw

x +3 x +2 ( x +1 ) ( x+2 ) Operations on Rational Algebraic

2
Example 3 = Factor.
x 2−1 ( x +1 ) ( x −1 ) Expressions
( x+1 ) ( x+ 2 )
¿ Cancellation. Multiplication of RAE
( x +1 ) ( x−1 )
To multiply rational algebraic expressions:
x+2 1. Multiply the numerator by the numerator, and
¿
x −1 denominator by the denominator.
2. Simplify the expression.

y 2+ 5 y+ 4 ( y+ 1 )( y + 4 ) 5t 4 20 t
Example 4 = Factor. Example 1 ∙ 2= Multiply.
y +3 y −4 ( y −1 )( y + 4 )
2 8 3 t 24 t 2

( y +1 )( y + 4 ) 4 ∙5 ∙ t
¿ ¿ Cancellation.
( y−1 ) ( y+ 4 )
Cancellation. 4 ∙ 6 ∙t ∙t

y +1 5
¿ ¿
y−1 6t

You may also use cancellation method only.

m2−9 ( m+ 3 )( m−3 )
Example 5 = Factor.
m −7 m+ 12 ( m−3 )( m−4 )
2
5 1
5t 4 5
( m+3 ) ( m−3 ) ∙ 2=
¿ Cancellation.
8 3t 6t
( m−3 ) ( m−4 ) 2 3t
m+3 4 x 3 x2 y 2 12 x 3 y 2
¿ Example 2 ∙ =
m−4 3 y 10 30 y
Multiply.

a2 +6 a+5 ( a+1 )( a+5 ) 6 ∙2 ∙ x y

3 2
Example 5 = Factor.
¿
a+1 a+1 6 ∙5 ∙ y
Cancellation

Power of Quotient.
( a+1 ) ( a+5 ) 2x y
3
¿ Cancellation. ¿
a+ 1 5
¿ a+5 You may also use cancellation method only.

d−2 d−2 2x x2 y
Example 6 = Use GCMF.
3 d −6 d 3 d ( d −2 )
2 2 2
4x 3x y 2x y
3
∙ =
3 y 10 5
d−2 1 5
¿ Cancellation.
3 d ( d −2 )
a−b a
2
a2 ( a−b )
1 Example 3 ∙ = Multiply.
¿ 2 a a−b 2 a ( a−b )
3d
 2
x + 2 x + x x(x ¿¿ 2+2 x+1)
3 2
a ( a−b )
Example 7 = ¿ Use ¿ Cancellation
3 ( x +2 x+ 1 )
2
3 x +6 x +3 2
2a ( a−b )
GCMF. Power of Quotient.
a
¿
x (x ¿¿ 2+2 x+1) 2
¿ ¿
3 ( x +2 x+ 1 )
2

Cancellation.

x
¿
3

3 b −27 b 3 b ( b −9 )
3 2
Example 8 2
= 2 Use GCMF.
b −b−12 b −b−12

3 b ( b−3 )( b+ 3 )
¿ Factor.
( b+ 3 )( b−4 )

3 b ( b−3 )( b+ 3 )
¿ Cancellation.
( b+ 3 )( b−4 )

3 b ( b−3 )
¿
b−4

x −5 Division of RAE
Example 4 What is the product of and
4 x 2−9
2
4 x +12 x+ 9 To divide rational algebraic expressions:
? 1. Copy the numerator.
2 x 2−11 x+5 2. Get the reciprocal of the denominator.
3. Multiply the numerator by the numerator, and
x −5 4 x 2 +12 x +9 denominator by the denominator.
2
∙ 2 Given.
4 x −9 2 x −11 x +5 4. Simplify the expression.

x−5 ( 2 x+3 )( 2 x+3 ) 6 a b2 9 a2 b2

¿ ∙ Factor. Example 1 ÷
( 2 x +3 ) ( 2 x−3 ) ( 2 x−1 ) ( x−5 ) 4 cd 8 d c 2
2 2
( x−5 )( 2 x+ 3 )( 2 x +3 ) 6ab 8d c
¿ Cancellation. ¿ ∙ Reciprocal
( 2 x +3 ) ( 2 x−3 )( 2 x−1 ) ( x −5 ) 4 cd 9 a2 b2
of denominator.
2 2
2 x +3 48 a b c d
¿ Simplify.
¿ 2 2 Multiply.
( 2 x−3 )( 2 x−1 ) 36 a b cd

2 x +3
¿ 2 12∙ 4 ∙ a b 2 c 2 d
4 x −8 x +3 ¿ 2 2 Cancellation.
12∙ 3 a b c d
Power of Quotient.
a 2−3 a
Example 5 What is the product of 2
a +3 a−10 4c
2
a −4 ¿
3a
and 2 ?
a −a−6
You may also use cancellation method only.

2 2c
 2 2 2 2
a −3 a a −4 6ab 8d c 4c
2
∙ 2 Given. ∙ 2 2=
a +3 a−10 a −a−6 4 cd 9 a b 3 a
1 3a
a ( a−3 ) ( a+ 2 )( a−2 )
¿ ∙ Factor.
( a+5 ) ( a−2 ) ( a+ 2 )( a−3 ) 2 x 2+ x −6 x 2−2 x−8
Example 2 2
÷ 2
2 x +7 x+5 2 x −3 x−20
a ( a−3 ) ( a+2 )( a−2 )
¿ Cancellation.
( a+5 ) ( a−2 )( a+2 )( a−3 ) 2 x 2+ x−6 2 x2 −3 x−20
¿ ∙ Reciprocal
2 x 2 +7 x+5 x 2−2 x −8
a of denominator.
¿
a+5
( 2 x−3 )( x +2 ) ( 2 x+5 )( x−4 )
¿ ∙ Factor.
2
x + 2 x +1 ( 2 x +5 ) ( x+ 1 ) ( x−4 ) ( x+ 2 )
Example 6 What is the product of 2
y −2 y+ 1
2 ( 2 x−3 )( x +2 )( 2 x +5 ) ( x −4 )
y −1 ¿ Cancellation .
and 2 ? ( 2 x +5 ) ( x+1 )( x−4 ) ( x+ 2 )
x −1
2 x−3
x 2+ 2 x +1 y 2−1 ¿
∙ Given. x+1
y 2−2 y+ 1 x 2−1
You may also use cancellation method only.
( x +1 ) ( x +1 ) ( y +1 ) ( y−1 )
¿ ∙ Factor.
( y−1 ) ( y−1 ) ( x +1 ) ( x−1 ) 2 2c
( 2 x−3 )( x +2 ) ( 2 x+ 5 )( x−4 ) 2 x−3
∙ =
( x+ 1 )( x +1 )( y +1 ) ( y−1 ) ( 2 x +5 ) ( x+ 1 ) ( x−4 ) ( x+ 2 ) x +1
¿ Cancellation.
( y−1 ) ( y−1 )( x +1 ) ( x−1 ) 1 3a

( x+ 1 )( y +1 )
¿ Simplify.
( x −1 )( y −1 )

xy + x+ y+ 1
¿
xy −x− y +1

Example 3 The area of the rectangle is ( x 2−100 2

8 )
m while
Addition or Subtraction of Similar RAE
Similar Rational Algebraic Expressions – algebraic
the length is (
2 x +20
20 )
meters . Find the expressions with the same denominator.

other dimension. To add similar rational algebraic expressions:

1. Add or subtract the numerator.

( ) ( 2 x20+20 ) m
2
x −100 2 l= 2. Copy the denominator.
A= m
8
2
a −2 a−7 3 a+1
Example 1 Add and 2 .
A 2
a −9 a −9
Area of a Rectangle: A=lw , sow=
l
2
NOTE: They have the same denominator: a −9.
2
x −100 2 x+ 20
÷ Given.
8 20 a2−2 a−7 3 a+1
2
+ 2 Given.
a −9 a −9
x 2−100 20 Copy denominator.
¿ ∙ Reciprocal of denominator.
( a2−2 a−7 ) + (3 a+1 )
8 2 x+20 ¿ Add the numerator.
2
a −9
 ( x −10 )( x +10 ) 4 ∙5
¿ ∙ Factor. 2
4∙2 2 ( x +10 ) a −2 a+3 a−7+1
¿ 2 Combine like terms.
a −9
( x −10 )( x +10 ) 4 ∙5
¿ ∙
4∙2 2 ( x +10 )
Cancellation.
a2 +a−6
¿ 2 Simplify.
a −9
5 ( x−10 )
¿ Simplify. ( a−2 )( a+ 3 )
( 2 )( 2 ) ¿ Factor, then cancel.
( a+3 ) ( a−3 )
w= ( 5 x−50
4 )
meters ¿
a−2
a−3

−10−6 x−5 x 2 x2 +5 x−20

Example 4 The base of the triangle is ( 3 x−21
21 )
inches Example 2 Subtract
3 x 2+ x−2
from
3 x 2 + x−2
.

( x −49
35 )
2
2
and the area is ¿ . Find the height NOTE: They have the same denominator: 3 x
2
+ x −2.
of the triangle.
x2 +5 x−20 −10−6 x−5 x2
− Given.
3 x 2 + x−2 3 x 2+ x−2
b= (
3 x−21
21
∈¿ ) A= (
x 2−49 2
35
¿ ) ( x +5 x−20 ) −(−10−6 x−5 x )
2 2
Copy denominator.

¿ 2
Add the
bh 2A 3 x + x−2
Area of a Rectangle: A= , soh= numerator.
2 b
x 2 +5 x−20+10+6 x +5 x 2
( )
2
x −49 3 x−21 ¿ 2 Simplify.
2 ÷ Given. 3 x + x−2
35 21
x 2 +5 x 2+5 x +6 x−20+10
2 ( x −49 )
2
21 ¿ Combine like terms.
¿ ∙ Reciprocal of denominator. 3 x 2+ x−2
35 3 x−21
2
6 x +11 x−10
2 ( x +7 ) ( x−7 ) 7 ∙3 ¿ Simplify.
¿ ∙ Factor. 3 x 2 + x−2
7∙5 3 ( x−7 )
( 3 x−2 )( 2 x+5 )
2 ( x +7 ) ( x−7 ) 7 ∙3 ¿ Factor, then cancel.
¿ ∙ Cancellation. (3 x−2 )( x +1 )
7∙5 3 ( x−7 )
2 x +5
2 ( x +7 ) ¿
¿ ∙ (1) x +1
Simplify.
(5 )

h= ( 2 x+14
5 )
inches

Addition or Subtraction of Dissimilar RAE

c−2 c−2
Example 3 Find the sum of and .
c−1 c−1 Dissimilar Rational Algebraic Expressions – algebraic
expressions with different denominators.
NOTE: They have the same denominator: c−1 .
To add dissimilar rational algebraic expressions:
c−2 c−2 1. Change the RAE to similar expressions using the LCD
+ Given.
(Least Common Denominator).
c−1 c−1
 Copy denominator. 2. Proceed to adding or subtracting similar RAEs.
( c−2 ) + ( c−2 )
¿ Add the numerator.
c−1 5 2
Example 1 Find the sum of 4 and .
18 a b 27 a3 b2 c
c+ c−2−2
¿ Combine like terms.
c−1 NOTE: In getting the LCD, FACTOR the denominator.
Take the factor with the highest exponent.
The PRODUCT of these factors is the LCD.
2c −4
¿ Simplify.
c−1 5 2
+ Given.
2 ( c −2 ) 18 a b 27 a3 b2 c
4

¿ Factor.
c−1 5 2
¿ 4
+ 3 2 Factor the denominator.
7 5 9 ∙2 ∙ a b 9 ∙3 ∙ a b c
Example 4 Find the difference of and . LCD: 9 ∙ 2∙ 3 ∙ a4 b2 c
4 y −1 4 y −1
LCD: 54 a 4 b2 c
NOTE: They have the same denominator: 4 y−1.
Divide LCD by denominator.
7 5 4 2 4 2
− Given. 54 a b c 54 a b c
4 y −1 4 y−1 =3 bc =2 a
Copy denominator. 18 a 4 b 27 a3 b 2 c
7−5
¿ Add the numerator.
4 y −1 5 ( 3 bc ) +2 ( 2 a )
¿ 4 2 Multiply quotient by numerator.
54 a b c
2 Simplify.
¿ Combine like terms.
4 y −1
15bc + 4 a
¿
3 x+3 2
x +3 x +2 54 a4 b2 c
Example 5 Subtract 2 from 2 .
x −2 x +1 x −2 x +1
3 2x
Example 2 Subtract from 2 .
NOTE: They have the same denominator:
2
x −2 x+1 . x−3 x −9

x2 +3 x +2 3 x+3 2x 3
− 2 − Given.
x −9 x−3
Given. 2
2
x −2 x +1 x −2 x +1
Copy denominator.
( x +3 x +2 )−( 3 x +3 )
2 2x 3
¿ ¿ − Factor the denominator.
x 2−2 x+ 1
Add the
( x −3 ) ( x−3 ) x−3
2
numerator. LCD: ( x−3 )

2
x +3 x+ 2−3 x−3 Divide LCD by denominator.
¿ 2 Simplify. ( x−3 )2 ( x−3 )2
x −2 x+ 1 2
=1 =x−3
( x−3 ) ( x−3 )
x 2 +3 x−3 x+ 2−3
¿ Combine like terms.
2 x (1 )−3 ( x−3 )
x 2−2 x+ 1 ¿ Multiply quotient by numerator.
( x−3 )2
2
x −1
¿ 2 Simplify.
2 x−3 x +9
x −2 x +1 ¿ Combine like terms.
( x−3 )2
( x+1 ) ( x−1 )
¿ Factor, then cancel.
−x +9
( x −1 )( x−1 ) ¿
( x −3 )2
 x+1
¿
x −1

8 t−24 t+3 2 3
Example 3 Subtract from 2 . Example 5 Find the difference of and .
2
t −9 t −6 t+9 a−5 a

t+3 8 t−24 2 3
− 2 Given. − Given.
2
t −6 t+9 t −9 a−5 a
LCD: a ( a−5 )

t +3 8 ( t−3 )
¿ − Simplify by Divide LCD by denominator.
( t−3 )( t−3 ) ( t +3 ) ( t−3 ) a ( a−5 ) a ( a−5 )
factoring. =a =a−5
t +3 8 ( t−3 ) a−5 a
¿ − Cancellation.
( t−3 )( t−3 ) ( t +3 ) ( t−3 ) 2 ( a )−3 ( a−5 )
¿ Multiply quotient by numerator.
t +3 8 a ( a−5 )
¿ − Simplify.
( t−3 )( t −3 ) t +3
2a−3 a+15
LCD: ( t−3 )
2
( t+3 ) ¿ Combine like terms.
a ( a−5 )
Divide LCD by denominator.
2
( t−3 ) ( t +3 ) ( t−3 )2 ( t +3 ) −a+15
¿
2
=t +3 =( t−3 )2 a ( a−5 )
( t−3 ) ( t +3 )
2 1
( t+3 ) ( t+ 3 )−8 ( t−3 )2 Example 4 Subtract 2 from 2.
¿ 2 Multiply quotient x +6 x 36−x
( t−3 ) ( t +3 )
by numerator.
1 2
( t +6 t +9 ) −8 ( t −6 t + 9 )
2 2
2
− 2
¿ SOB. 36−x x −6 x
( t−3 )2 ( t+3 )
1 2
2 2 ¿ − Factor the denominator.
t +6 t+ 9−8 t +48 t−72 ( 6−x ) ( 6+ x ) x ( x+6 )
¿ Simplify.
( t−3 )2 ( t +3 )
−1
Note: 6−x=−1 ( x−6 ) , so
2 2
t −8t +6 t+ 48 t+ 9−72 ( x−6 ) ( x+ 6 )
¿ Combine like terms.
( t−3 )2 ( t +3 )
1 2
¿− −
2
−7 t +54 t−63 ( x−6 ) ( x +6 ) x ( x +6 )
¿
( t−3 )2 ( t +3 ) LCD: x ( x−6 ) ( x +6 )
3x 9 Divide LCD by denominator.
Example 4 Add and .
2 x−3 3−2 x x ( x−6 )( x +6 ) x ( x−6 )( x +6 )
=x =x−6
( x−6 ) ( x+ 6 ) x ( x +6 )
3x 9 ¿ 3x + 9
+ Factor the
2 x−6 6−2 x 2 x−6 (−1 ) (−6+2 x ) (−1 )( x )−2 ( x−6 )
denominator. ¿ Multiply quotient
x ( x −6 ) ( x+6 )
by numerator.
9 −9
Note: =
(−1 )( 2 x−6 ) 2 x−6 −x−2 x +12
¿ Combine like terms.
Copy the denominator.
x ( x−6 )( x +6 )
3x 9
¿ − Add the numerator.
2 x−6 2 x−6
 −3 x+ 12
3 x−9 ¿ Simplify.
¿ Simplify. ( t−3 )2 ( t +3 )
2 x−6
−3 ( x −6 )
3 ( x−3 ) ¿ Factor, then cancel.
¿ Factor, then cancel. x ( x−6 )( x +6 )
2 ( x−3 )
3
3 ¿−
¿ x ( x+6 )
2