Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10: RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS

Chapter Objectives
By the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
 Evaluate rational expressions
 Obtain the excluded values of the expression
 Reduce rational expressions
 Multiply rational expressions with and without factoring
 Divide rational expressions with and without factoring
 Find least common denominators
 Add and subtract rational expressions with and without common denominators

Contents
CHAPTER 10: RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS.................................................................................................... 275
SECTION 10.1: REDUCE RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS ............................................................................... 276
A. EVALUATE RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS ........................................................................................ 276
B. FIND EXCLUDED VALUES OF RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS ........................................................... 277
C. REDUCE RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS WITH MONOMIALS ........................................................... 278
D. REDUCE RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS WITH POLYNOMIALS ........................................................ 279
EXERCISE ........................................................................................................................................... 280
SECTION 10.2: MULTIPLY AND DIVIDE RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS ....................................................... 281
A. MULTIPLY AND DIVIDE RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS WITH MONOMIALS................................... 281
B. MULTIPLY AND DIVIDE RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS WITH POLYNOMIALS ................................ 282
C. MULTIPLY AND DIVIDE RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS IN GENERAL ............................................... 283
EXERCISE ........................................................................................................................................... 284
SECTION 10.3 OBTAIN THE LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR ....................................................... 285
A. OBTAIN THE LCM IN ARITHMETIC REVIEW.............................................................................. 285
B. OBTAIN THE LCM WITH MONOMIALS ..................................................................................... 286
C. OBTAIN THE LCM WITH POLYNOMIALS................................................................................... 286
D. REWRITE FRACTIONS WITH THE LOWEST COMMON.............................................................. 287
EXERCISE ........................................................................................................................................... 288
SECTION 10.4: ADD AND SUBTRACT RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS .......................................................... 289
A. ADD OR SUBTRACT RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS WITH A COMMON DENOMINATOR ............... 289
B. ADD AND SUBTRACT RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS WITH UNLIKE DENOMINATORS ................... 290
EXERCISE ........................................................................................................................................... 292
CHAPTER REVIEW ................................................................................................................................. 293

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 Chapter 10
SECTION 10.1: REDUCE RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS
A. EVALUATE RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS
Definition

A rational expression is a ratio of two polynomials, i.e., a fraction where the numerator and
denominator are polynomials.

MEDIA LESSON
Evaluate rational expressions (Duration 4:18 )

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Rational Expression: Quotient of two ______________________________________________________

𝑥𝑥 2 −2𝑥𝑥−8 𝑥𝑥 2 −𝑥𝑥−6
a) − when 𝑥𝑥 = −4 b) when 𝑥𝑥 = 2
𝑥𝑥−4 𝑥𝑥 2 +𝑥𝑥−12

YOU TRY

Evaluate:

𝑥𝑥 2 −4 3𝑥𝑥
a) 𝑤𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑥𝑥 = −6 b) when 𝑥𝑥 = −2
𝑥𝑥 2 +6𝑥𝑥+8 𝑥𝑥 2 +12𝑥𝑥−2

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 Chapter 10
B. FIND EXCLUDED VALUES OF RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS
Rational expressions are special types of fractions, but still hold the same arithmetic properties. One
property of fractions we recall is that the fraction is undefined when the denominator is zero.

Determine the excluded value(s) of a rational expression

Note: A rational expression is undefined when the denominator is zero.

Step 1. Set the denominator of the rational expression equal to zero.

Step 2. Solve the equation for the given variable.
Step 3. The values found in the previous step are the values excluded from the expression.

MEDIA LESSON
Find excluded value(s) of a rational expression (Duration 2:24 )

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

𝑥𝑥 2 −1
a)
3𝑥𝑥 2 +5𝑥𝑥

YOU TRY

Find the excluded value(s) of the expression.

−3𝑧𝑧 𝑥𝑥 2 −1
a) b)
𝑧𝑧+5 3𝑥𝑥 2 +5𝑥𝑥

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C. REDUCE RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS WITH MONOMIALS
Rational expressions are reduced, just as in arithmetic, even without knowing the value of the variable.
When we reduce, we divide out common factors as we discussed with polynomial division with
monomials. Now, we use factoring techniques and exponent properties to reduce rational expressions.

Reducing rational expressions

𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃
If 𝑃𝑃, 𝑄𝑄, 𝐾𝐾 are non-zero polynomials and is a rational expression, then
𝑄𝑄𝑄𝑄
𝑷𝑷 . 𝑲𝑲 𝑷𝑷
=
𝑸𝑸 . 𝑲𝑲 𝑸𝑸
We call a rational expression irreducible if there are no more common factors among the numerator
and denominator.

MEDIA LESSON
Reduce monomials (Duration 2:44)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

𝑎𝑎𝑚𝑚
Quotient rule of exponents: =_______________
𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛

16𝑎𝑎5 15𝑎𝑎3 𝑏𝑏2

a) b)
12𝑥𝑥 9 25𝑎𝑎𝑏𝑏5

It is important to note that we were only able to use the quotient rule when_______________________
____________________________________________________________________________________.

YOU TRY

Simplify:

2𝑥𝑥 2 15𝑥𝑥 4 𝑦𝑦 2
a) b)
4𝑥𝑥 3 25𝑥𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦 6

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D. REDUCE RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS WITH POLYNOMIALS
However, if there is a sum or difference in either the numerator or denominator, we first factor the
numerator and denominator to obtain a product of factors, and then reduce.

MEDIA LESSON
Reduce polynomials (Duration 5:00)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

To reduce polynomials, we _______________________________ common _______________________.

This means we must first ________________________.
2𝑥𝑥 2 +5𝑥𝑥−3 9𝑥𝑥 2 −30𝑥𝑥+25
a) b)
2𝑥𝑥 2 −5𝑥𝑥+2 9𝑥𝑥 2 −25

Note: you can use the “bottoms-up” method to

factor the binomials.

YOU TRY

Simplify:
𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗−𝟑𝟑 𝒙𝒙𝟐𝟐 −𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐
a) b) c)
𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟐𝟐 −𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏−𝟔𝟔 𝒙𝒙𝟐𝟐 +𝟖𝟖𝒙𝒙+𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏

 Warning: You cannot reduce terms, only factors. This means we cannot reduce anything with a “+”
or “–” between the parts. In examples above, we are not allowed to divide out the 𝑥𝑥’s because they
are terms (separated by + 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 −) not factors (separated by multiplication).

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EXERCISE
Evaluate the expression for the given value.
4𝑣𝑣 + 2 𝑥𝑥−3 𝑏𝑏+2
1) 𝑤𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑣𝑣 = 6 2) 𝑤𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑥𝑥 = −4 3) 𝑤𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑏𝑏 = 0
6 𝑥𝑥 2 −4𝑥𝑥+3 𝑏𝑏2 +4𝑏𝑏+4

𝑏𝑏−3 𝑎𝑎+2 𝑛𝑛2 −𝑛𝑛−6

4) 𝑤𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑏𝑏 = −2 5) 𝑤𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑎𝑎 = −1 6) 𝑤𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑛𝑛 = 4
3𝑏𝑏+9 𝑎𝑎2 +3𝑎𝑎+2 𝑛𝑛−3

Find the excluded value(s).

3𝑘𝑘 2 +30𝑘𝑘 15𝑛𝑛2 10𝑚𝑚2 +8𝑚𝑚
7) 8) 9)
𝑘𝑘+10 10𝑛𝑛+25 10𝑚𝑚

𝑟𝑟 2 +3𝑟𝑟+2 𝑏𝑏2 +12𝑏𝑏+32 27𝑝𝑝

10) 11) 12)
5𝑟𝑟+10 𝑏𝑏2 +4𝑏𝑏−32 18𝑝𝑝2 −36𝑝𝑝

𝑥𝑥+10 10𝑥𝑥+16 6𝑛𝑛2 −21𝑛𝑛

13) 14) 15)
8𝑥𝑥 2 +80𝑥𝑥 6𝑥𝑥+20 6𝑛𝑛2 +3𝑛𝑛

Simplify each expression.

21𝑥𝑥 2 24𝑎𝑎 32𝑥𝑥 3
16) 17) 18)
18𝑥𝑥 40𝑎𝑎2 8𝑥𝑥 4

18𝑚𝑚−24 20 𝑥𝑥+1
19) 20) 21)
60 4𝑝𝑝+2 𝑥𝑥 2 +8𝑥𝑥+7

32𝑥𝑥 2 𝑛𝑛2 +4𝑛𝑛−12 9𝑣𝑣+54

22) 23) 24)
28𝑥𝑥 2 +28𝑥𝑥 𝑛𝑛2 −7𝑛𝑛+10 𝑣𝑣 2 −4𝑣𝑣−60

12𝑥𝑥 2 −42𝑥𝑥 6𝑎𝑎−10 2𝑛𝑛2 +19𝑛𝑛− 10

25) 26) 27)
30𝑥𝑥 2 −42𝑥𝑥 10𝑎𝑎+4 9𝑛𝑛+90

𝑛𝑛−9 28𝑚𝑚+12 49𝑟𝑟+56

28) 29) 30)
9𝑛𝑛−81 36 56𝑟𝑟

𝑏𝑏2 +14𝑏𝑏+48 30𝑥𝑥−90 𝑘𝑘 2 −12𝑘𝑘+32

31) 32) 33)
𝑏𝑏2 +15𝑏𝑏+56 50𝑥𝑥+40 𝑘𝑘 2 −64

9𝑝𝑝+18 3𝑥𝑥 2 −29𝑥𝑥+40 8𝑚𝑚+16

34) 35) 36)
𝑝𝑝2 +4𝑝𝑝+4 5𝑥𝑥 2 −30𝑥𝑥−80 20𝑚𝑚−12

2𝑥𝑥 2 −10𝑥𝑥+8 7𝑛𝑛2 −32𝑛𝑛+16 𝑛𝑛2 +2𝑛𝑛+1

37) 38) 39)
3𝑥𝑥 2 −7𝑥𝑥+4 4𝑛𝑛−16 6𝑛𝑛+6

4𝑘𝑘 3 − 2𝑘𝑘 2 −2𝑘𝑘

40)
9𝑘𝑘 3 − 18𝑘𝑘 2 + 9𝑘𝑘

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 Chapter 10
SECTION 10.2: MULTIPLY AND DIVIDE RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS
We use the same method for multiplying and dividing fractions to multiply and divide rational expressions.

A. MULTIPLY AND DIVIDE RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS WITH MONOMIALS

Recall. When we multiply two fractions, we divide out the common factors, e.g.,
10 21
⋅
9 25
5⋅2 7⋅3
= ⋅
3⋅3 5⋅5
14
=
15
We multiply rational expressions using the same method.

MEDIA LESSON
Multiply and divide monomials (Duration 4:49)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

With monomials, we can use ____________________________________________________________.

𝑎𝑎𝑚𝑚 ⋅ 𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛 =____________________

𝑎𝑎𝑚𝑚
= _______________________
𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛
6𝑥𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦5 10𝑥𝑥 4 4𝑎𝑎5 𝑏𝑏 6𝑎𝑎𝑏𝑏4
a) ⋅ b) ÷
5𝑥𝑥 3 3𝑥𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦 7 9𝑎𝑎4 12𝑏𝑏2

YOU TRY

25𝑥𝑥 2 24𝑦𝑦 4 𝑎𝑎4 𝑏𝑏2 𝑏𝑏4

a) Multiply: ∙ b) Divide: ÷
8𝑦𝑦 8 55𝑥𝑥 7 𝑎𝑎 4

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B. MULTIPLY AND DIVIDE RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS WITH POLYNOMIALS
When we multiply or divide polynomials in rational expressions, we first factor using factoring
techniques, then reduce out the common factors.

 Warning: We are not allowed to reduce terms, only factors.

MEDIA LESSON
Multiply and divide rational expressions with polynomials (Duration 5:00 )

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

To divide out factors, we must first ___________________________!

𝑥𝑥 2 +3𝑥𝑥+2 𝑥𝑥 2 −5𝑥𝑥+6 3𝑥𝑥 2 +5𝑥𝑥−2 6𝑥𝑥 2 +𝑥𝑥−1

a) ⋅ b) ÷
4𝑥𝑥−12 𝑥𝑥 2 −4 𝑥𝑥 2 +3𝑥𝑥+2 𝑥𝑥 2 −3𝑥𝑥−4

YOU TRY

𝑥𝑥 2 − 9 𝑥𝑥 2 −8𝑥𝑥+16 𝑥𝑥 2 −𝑥𝑥−12 5𝑥𝑥 2 +15𝑥𝑥

a) Multiply: ∙ b) Divide: 2 ÷
𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑥𝑥−20 3𝑥𝑥+9 𝑥𝑥 −2𝑥𝑥−8 𝑥𝑥 2 +𝑥𝑥−2

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C. MULTIPLY AND DIVIDE RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS IN GENERAL
We can combine multiplying and dividing rational expressions in one expression, but, remember; we
reciprocate the fraction that directly precedes the division sign and then change the division to
multiplication. Lastly, we can reduce the common factors.

 Warning: We are not allowed to reduce terms, only factors.

MEDIA LESSON
Multiply and divide rational expressions together (Duration 4:53)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

To divide: ___________________________________________________.
Be sure to ____________________before _________________________.
𝑥𝑥 2 +3𝑥𝑥−10 2𝑥𝑥 2 −𝑥𝑥−3 8𝑥𝑥+20
a) ⋅ ÷
𝑥𝑥 2 +6𝑥𝑥+5 2𝑥𝑥 2 +𝑥𝑥−6 6𝑥𝑥+15

YOU TRY

Simplify:

𝑎𝑎2 +7𝑎𝑎+10 𝑎𝑎+1 𝑎𝑎−1

a) ∙ ÷
𝑎𝑎2 + 6𝑎𝑎+5 𝑎𝑎2 +4𝑎𝑎+4 𝑎𝑎+2

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EXERCISE
Simplify each expression. Watch for special products to help with factoring more quickly.
8𝑥𝑥 2 9 9𝑛𝑛 7
1) ∙ 2) ∙
9 2 2𝑛𝑛 5𝑛𝑛

5𝑥𝑥 2 6 7(𝑚𝑚−6) 5𝑚𝑚(7𝑚𝑚−5)

3) ∙ 4) ∙
4 5 𝑚𝑚−6 7𝑚𝑚−5

7𝑟𝑟 𝑟𝑟−6 25𝑛𝑛+25 4

5) ÷ (𝑟𝑟−6)2
6) ∙
7𝑟𝑟(𝑟𝑟+10) 5 30𝑛𝑛+30

𝑥𝑥−10 7 𝑥𝑥 2 −6𝑥𝑥−7 𝑥𝑥+5

7) ÷ 8) ∙
35𝑥𝑥+21 35𝑥𝑥+21 𝑥𝑥+5 𝑥𝑥−7

8𝑘𝑘 1 6
9) ÷ 10) (𝑛𝑛 − 8) ∙
24𝑘𝑘 2 −40𝑘𝑘 15𝑘𝑘−25 10𝑛𝑛−80

4𝑚𝑚+36 𝑚𝑚−5 3𝑥𝑥−6

11) ∙ 12) ∙ (𝑥𝑥 + 3)
𝑚𝑚+9 5𝑚𝑚2 12𝑥𝑥−24

𝑏𝑏+2 𝑛𝑛−7 12−6𝑛𝑛

13) ∙ (5𝑏𝑏 − 3) 14) ∙
40𝑏𝑏2 −24𝑏𝑏 6𝑛𝑛−12 𝑛𝑛2 −13𝑛𝑛+42

27𝑎𝑎+36 6𝑎𝑎+8 𝑥𝑥 2 −12𝑥𝑥+32 7𝑥𝑥 2 +14𝑥𝑥

15) ÷ 16) ∙
9𝑎𝑎+63 2 𝑥𝑥 2 −6𝑥𝑥−16 7𝑥𝑥 2 +21𝑥𝑥

18𝑚𝑚3 −36𝑚𝑚2 10𝑏𝑏2 30𝑏𝑏+20

17) (10𝑚𝑚2 + 100𝑚𝑚) ∙ 18) ∙
20𝑚𝑚2 −40𝑚𝑚 30𝑏𝑏+20 2𝑏𝑏2 +10𝑏𝑏
10𝑝𝑝 8 6𝑥𝑥 (𝑥𝑥+4) (𝑥𝑥−3)(𝑥𝑥−6)
19) ÷ 20) ∙
5 10 𝑥𝑥−3 6𝑥𝑥 (𝑥𝑥−6)

𝑣𝑣−1 4 𝑝𝑝−8 1
21) ∙ 22) 2 ÷
4 𝑣𝑣 2 −11𝑣𝑣+10 𝑝𝑝 −12𝑝𝑝+32 𝑝𝑝−10

2𝑟𝑟 2𝑟𝑟 𝑣𝑣 2 +10𝑣𝑣+9 𝑣𝑣−9

23) ÷ 24) ÷
𝑟𝑟+6 7𝑟𝑟+42 3𝑣𝑣+4 3𝑣𝑣+4

𝑘𝑘−7 7𝑘𝑘 2 −28𝑘𝑘 𝑛𝑛−7 9𝑛𝑛+54

25) 2 ∙ 26) ÷
𝑘𝑘 −𝑘𝑘−12 8𝑘𝑘 2 −56𝑘𝑘 𝑛𝑛2 −2𝑛𝑛−35 10𝑛𝑛+50

𝑛𝑛2 +2𝑛𝑛+1 25𝑛𝑛2 −16 𝑥𝑥 2 −1 𝑥𝑥 2 −4 𝑥𝑥 2 +𝑥𝑥−2

27) ∙ 28) ∙ ÷
𝑛𝑛2 −1 5𝑛𝑛+4 2𝑥𝑥−4 𝑥𝑥 2 −𝑥𝑥−2 3𝑥𝑥−6

𝑎𝑎3 +33 3𝑎𝑎−6𝑏𝑏 𝑎𝑎2 −4𝑏𝑏2 𝑥𝑥 2 +3𝑥𝑥−10 2𝑥𝑥 2 −𝑥𝑥−3 8𝑥𝑥+20

29) 2 ⋅ ÷ 30) ⋅ ÷
𝑎𝑎 +3𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎+2𝑏𝑏2 3𝑎𝑎+9 𝑎𝑎+2𝑏𝑏 𝑥𝑥 2 +6𝑥𝑥+5 2𝑥𝑥 2 +𝑥𝑥−6 6𝑥𝑥+15

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 Chapter 10
SECTION 10.3 OBTAIN THE LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR
As with fractions in arithmetic, the least common denominator or LCD is the lowest common multiple
(LCM) of the denominators. Since rational expressions are fractions with polynomials, we use the LCD to
add and subtract rational expression with different denominators. In this section, we obtain LCDs of
rational expressions. First, let’s take a look at the method in finding the LCM in arithmetic.

A. OBTAIN THE LCM IN ARITHMETIC REVIEW

To find the LCM using the prime factorization:

1) Find the prime factorization for each number by using the factor tree
2) Write each number in the exponential form
3) Collect all prime factors that show up in all numbers with the highest exponent
4) Multiply all the prime factors that collected in step 3 to find the LCM

MEDIA LESSON
Determining the Least Common Multiple Using Prime Factorization (Duration 4:41)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Determine the least common multiple (LCM):

a) 16 and 18 b) 72 and 54

YOU TRY

Find LCM.

a) Find LCM of 3, 6, and 15 using the prime b) Find LCM of 25, 315 and 150 using the prime
factorization method. factorization method.

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B. OBTAIN THE LCM WITH MONOMIALS
MEDIA LESSON
Find the LCM with monomials (Duration 2:55)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

To find the LCM/LCD of monomials:

Use ___________ factors with ________________ exponents.
Find the LCM of the monomials below.

a) 5𝑥𝑥 3 𝑦𝑦 2 and 4𝑥𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦 5 b) 7𝑎𝑎𝑏𝑏 2 𝑐𝑐 and 3𝑎𝑎3 𝑏𝑏

YOU TRY

Find LCM:

a) 4𝑥𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦 5 and 6𝑥𝑥 4 𝑦𝑦 3 𝑧𝑧 6 b) 12𝑎𝑎2 𝑏𝑏 5 and 18𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎

C. OBTAIN THE LCM WITH POLYNOMIALS

We use the same method, but now we factor using factoring techniques to obtain the LCM between
polynomials. Recall, all factors are contained in the LCM.

MEDIA LESSON
Find the LCM of polynomials (Duration 4:45)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

To find the LCM/LCD of polynomials:

Use ___________ factors with ____________ exponents.
This means we must first ________________.

Find the LCM of the following polynomials.

a) 𝑥𝑥 2 + 3𝑥𝑥 − 18 and 𝑥𝑥 2 + 4𝑥𝑥 − 21 b) 𝑥𝑥 2 − 10𝑥𝑥 + 25 and 𝑥𝑥 2 − 𝑥𝑥 − 20

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 Chapter 10
YOU TRY

Find the LCM of the following polynomials.

a) 𝑥𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑥 − 3 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥 2 − 𝑥𝑥 − 12 b) 𝑥𝑥 2 − 10𝑥𝑥 + 25 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥 2 − 14𝑥𝑥 + 45

D. REWRITE FRACTIONS WITH THE LOWEST COMMON

MEDIA LESSON
Identify LCD and build up to matching denominators (Duration 4:59 )

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Example:
5𝑎𝑎 3𝑐𝑐 5𝑥𝑥 𝑥𝑥−2
a) and b) and
4𝑏𝑏3 𝑐𝑐 6𝑎𝑎2 𝑏𝑏 𝑥𝑥 2 −5𝑥𝑥−6 𝑥𝑥 2 +4𝑥𝑥+3

YOU TRY

Find the LCD between the two fractions. Rewrite each fraction with the LCD.
5𝑎𝑎 3𝑐𝑐 5𝑥𝑥 𝑥𝑥−2
a) 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 b)
𝑥𝑥 2 −5𝑥𝑥−6
𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥 2 +4𝑥𝑥+3
4𝑏𝑏 3 𝑐𝑐 6𝑎𝑎2 𝑏𝑏

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EXERCISE
Find the equivalent numerator.

3 ? 𝑎𝑎 ?
1) = 2) =
8 48 𝑥𝑥 𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥
𝑎𝑎 ? 2 ?
3) = 4) =
5 5𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥+4 𝑥𝑥 2 −16
(𝑥𝑥−4) ? 2 ?
5) = 6) =
(𝑥𝑥+2) 𝑥𝑥 2 +5𝑥𝑥+6 3𝑎𝑎2 𝑏𝑏2 𝑐𝑐 9𝑎𝑎5 𝑏𝑏2 𝑐𝑐 4

Find the lowest common multiple.

7) 2𝑎𝑎3 , 6𝑎𝑎4 𝑏𝑏 2 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 4𝑎𝑎3 𝑏𝑏 5 8) 𝑥𝑥 2 − 3𝑥𝑥, 𝑥𝑥 − 3 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥

9) 𝑥𝑥 + 2 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥 − 4 10) 𝑥𝑥 2 − 25 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥 + 5

11) 𝑥𝑥 2 + 3𝑥𝑥 + 2 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥 2 + 5𝑥𝑥 + 6 12) 5𝑥𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 25𝑥𝑥 3 𝑦𝑦 5 𝑧𝑧

13) 4𝑥𝑥 − 8, 𝑥𝑥 − 2 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 4 14) 𝑥𝑥, 𝑥𝑥 − 7 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥 + 1

15) 𝑥𝑥 2 − 9 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥 2 − 6𝑥𝑥 + 9 16) 𝑥𝑥 2 − 7𝑥𝑥 + 10, 𝑥𝑥 2 − 2𝑥𝑥 − 15,

𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑥𝑥 − 6

Find the LCD and rewrite each fraction with the LCD.
3𝑎𝑎 2 𝑥𝑥+2 𝑥𝑥−3
17) and 18) and
5𝑏𝑏2 10𝑎𝑎3 𝑏𝑏 𝑥𝑥−3 𝑥𝑥+2

𝑥𝑥 3𝑥𝑥 𝑥𝑥+1 2𝑥𝑥+3

19) 2 and 2 20) 2 and 2
𝑥𝑥 −16 𝑥𝑥 −8𝑥𝑥+16 𝑥𝑥 −36 𝑥𝑥 +12𝑥𝑥+36

4𝑥𝑥 𝑥𝑥+2 3𝑥𝑥 2

21) 2 and 22) and
𝑥𝑥 −𝑥𝑥−6 𝑥𝑥−3 𝑥𝑥−4 𝑥𝑥+2

5 2 −3 5𝑥𝑥+1 4
23) 2 , and 24) 2 and
𝑥𝑥 −6𝑥𝑥 𝑥𝑥 𝑥𝑥−6 𝑥𝑥 −3𝑥𝑥−10 𝑥𝑥−5

3𝑥𝑥+1 2𝑥𝑥 3𝑥𝑥 𝑥𝑥−2 5

25) 2 and 2 26) 2 and
𝑥𝑥 −𝑥𝑥−12 𝑥𝑥 +4𝑥𝑥+3 𝑥𝑥 −6𝑥𝑥+8 𝑥𝑥 2 +𝑥𝑥−20 𝑥𝑥 2 +3𝑥𝑥−10

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SECTION 10.4: ADD AND SUBTRACT RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS
Adding and subtracting rational expressions are identical to adding and subtracting with fractions. Recall,
when adding with a common denominator, we add across numerators and keep the same denominator.
This is the same method we use with rational expressions. Note, methods never change, only problems.

Helpful tips when adding and subtracting rational expressions:

For adding and subtracting with rational expressions, here are some helpful tips:
• Identify the denominators: are they the same or different?
• Combine the rational expressions into one expression.
• Once combined into one expression, then reduce the fraction, if possible.
• A fraction is reducible only if there is a GCF in the numerator.

A. ADD OR SUBTRACT RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS WITH A COMMON DENOMINATOR

Recall. We can use the same properties for adding or subtracting fractions with common denominators
also for adding and subtracting rational expressions with common denominators:
𝑎𝑎 𝑏𝑏 𝑎𝑎 ± 𝑏𝑏
± =
𝑐𝑐 𝑐𝑐 𝑐𝑐
MEDIA LESSON
Add/ subtract rational expressions with common denominator (Duration 5:00)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Add/subtract rational expressions

• Add the ___________________________ and keep the __________________________

• When subtracting, we will first _____________________ the negative.

• Don’t forget to ___________________

Example:

𝑥𝑥 2 +4𝑥𝑥 𝑥𝑥+6 𝑥𝑥 2 +2𝑥𝑥 6𝑥𝑥+5

a) + 𝑥𝑥 2 −2𝑥𝑥−15 b) − 2𝑥𝑥 2 −9𝑥𝑥−5
𝑥𝑥 2 −2𝑥𝑥−15 2𝑥𝑥 2 −9𝑥𝑥−5

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YOU TRY

Evaluate.
𝑥𝑥−4 𝑥𝑥+8 6𝑥𝑥−12 15𝑥𝑥−6
a) Add: + 𝑥𝑥 2 −2𝑥𝑥−8 b) Subtract: −
𝑥𝑥 2 −2𝑥𝑥−8 3𝑥𝑥−6 3𝑥𝑥−6

B. ADD AND SUBTRACT RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS WITH UNLIKE DENOMINATORS

Recall. We can use the same properties for adding and subtracting integer fractions with unlike
denominators for adding and subtracting rational expressions with unlike denominators:
𝑎𝑎 𝑐𝑐 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 ± 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏
± =
𝑏𝑏 𝑑𝑑 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏
MEDIA LESSON
Add rational expressions with different denominators (Duration 4:56)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Add/subtract rational expressions with different denominators

To add or subtract, we __________________the denominators by ___________ by the missing _______
This means we have to __________________ to find the LCD.
Example:
2𝑥𝑥 5
a) +
𝑥𝑥 2 −9 𝑥𝑥 2 +𝑥𝑥−6

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 Chapter 10
MEDIA LESSON
Subtract rational expressions with different denominators (Duration 5:00)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below
Example:
2𝑥𝑥+7 3𝑥𝑥−2
b) −
𝑥𝑥 2 −2𝑥𝑥−3 𝑥𝑥 2 +6𝑥𝑥+5

 Warning: We are not allowed to reduce terms, only factors.

YOU TRY
7𝑎𝑎 4𝑏𝑏 4 7𝑏𝑏
a) Add + b) Subtract −
3𝑎𝑎2 𝑏𝑏 6𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎4 5𝑎𝑎 4𝑎𝑎2

6 3𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥+1 𝑥𝑥+1

c) Add + d) Subtract −
8𝑎𝑎+4 8 𝑥𝑥−4 𝑥𝑥 2 −7𝑥𝑥+12

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 Chapter 10
EXERCISE
Add or subtract the rational expressions. Simplify completely.
2 4 𝑡𝑡 2 +4𝑡𝑡 2𝑡𝑡−7
1) + 2) +
𝑎𝑎+3 𝑎𝑎+3 𝑡𝑡−1 𝑡𝑡−1
5 5 8 5
3) − 4) +
6𝑟𝑟 8𝑟𝑟 9𝑡𝑡 2 6𝑡𝑡 2

𝑎𝑎+2 𝑎𝑎−4 𝑥𝑥−1 2𝑥𝑥+3

5) − 6) −
2 4 4𝑥𝑥 𝑥𝑥

5𝑥𝑥+3𝑦𝑦 3𝑥𝑥+4𝑦𝑦 2𝑧𝑧 3𝑧𝑧

7) − 8) −
2𝑥𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦 𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 2 𝑧𝑧−1 𝑧𝑧+1

8 3 𝑡𝑡 5
9) − 10) −
𝑥𝑥 2 −4 𝑥𝑥+2 𝑡𝑡−3 4𝑡𝑡−12

2 4 𝑡𝑡 𝑦𝑦
11) − 12) −
5𝑥𝑥 2 +5𝑥𝑥 3𝑥𝑥+3 𝑦𝑦−𝑡𝑡 𝑦𝑦+𝑡𝑡

𝑥𝑥 2 2𝑥𝑥 4
13) 2 − 14) −
𝑥𝑥 +5𝑥𝑥+6 𝑥𝑥 2 +3𝑥𝑥+2 𝑥𝑥 2 −1 𝑥𝑥 2 +2𝑥𝑥−3

4−𝑎𝑎2 𝑎𝑎−2 𝑥𝑥 2 6𝑥𝑥−8

15) 2 − 16) −
𝑎𝑎 −9 3−𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥−2 𝑥𝑥−2
7 3 2𝑎𝑎−1 5𝑎𝑎+1
17) + 18) +
𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 2 𝑥𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦 3𝑎𝑎2 9𝑎𝑎

2𝑐𝑐−𝑑𝑑 𝑐𝑐+𝑑𝑑 2 2
19) − 20) +
𝑐𝑐 2 𝑑𝑑 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐2 𝑥𝑥−1 𝑥𝑥+1

2 3 4𝑥𝑥 𝑥𝑥
21) + 22) 2 +
𝑥𝑥−5 4𝑥𝑥 𝑥𝑥 −25 𝑥𝑥+5

3𝑎𝑎 9𝑎𝑎 2𝑥𝑥 3

23) + 24) 2 −
4𝑎𝑎−20 6𝑎𝑎−30 𝑥𝑥 −1 𝑥𝑥 2 +5𝑥𝑥+4

2𝑥𝑥 5 4𝑥𝑥 3
25) 2 + 26) 2 −
𝑥𝑥 −9 𝑥𝑥 2 +𝑥𝑥−6 𝑥𝑥 −2𝑥𝑥−3 𝑥𝑥 2 −5𝑥𝑥+6

𝑥𝑥−1 𝑥𝑥+5 3𝑥𝑥+2 𝑥𝑥

27) 2 + 28) +
𝑥𝑥 +3𝑥𝑥+2 𝑥𝑥 2 +5𝑥𝑥+4 3𝑥𝑥+6 4−𝑥𝑥 2

2𝑟𝑟 1 1 𝑥𝑥+2 4𝑥𝑥+5

29) 2 2 + − 30) 2 +
𝑟𝑟 −𝑠𝑠 𝑟𝑟+𝑠𝑠 𝑟𝑟−𝑠𝑠 𝑥𝑥 −4𝑥𝑥+3 𝑥𝑥 2 +4𝑥𝑥−5

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CHAPTER REVIEW
KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS
Look for the following terms and concepts as you work through the workbook. In the space below,
explain the meaning of each of these concepts and terms in your own words. Provide examples that
are not identical to those in the text or in the media lesson.

Rational expression

Undefined rational
expression

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