MULTIPLYING RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS

To Multiply Two Fractions

  ·
·  , 0 and 0
  ·

 
Example 1 Multiply:

 
Solution: First divide out any common factors to both a numerator and a
denominator; then multiply.
1
3 2 1 · 2 2
·  
5 9 5·3 15
3
The same principles apply when multiplying rational expressions containing variables.
Before multiplying, you should first divide out any common factors to both a numerator and a
denominator.

To Multiply Rational Expressions

1. Factor all numerators and denominators completely.
2. Divide out common factors.
3. Multiply numerators together and multiply denominators together.
 

Example 2 Multiply: ·


1  2 (
Solution: 3  4(  3  4( 
·  ·  2( 
2( 3 2( 3
1 1 1 1

Example 3 Multiply:   5 ·  
Solution: 7 5 7 7
  5 ·   · 
  5  1     5  
 
Example 4 Multiply: ·
  
Solution:  * 2 1 1
3  * 2 * 2 3 *2
·   · 
6   4 6   * 2  2 2  2
2 

Note: When multiplying rational expressions, if only the signs differ in a numerator and a
denominator (for instance, the numerator is x-7 & the denominator is 7-x), factor out 1 from either
the numerator or denominator; then divide out the common factor.
 (  ( (
·  · 
   1   
 
Example 5 Multiply: ·
 
Solution: 3 * 2 4  8 3 * 2 41  2 3 * 2 412  1 4
·  ·  ·   4
2  1 3 * 2 2  1 3 * 2 2  1 3 * 2 1
   
Example 6 Multiply: ·  
 
2  * 7  15 2  *   1 2  3 * 5 2  1 * 1 2  3 * 5 2  1 * 1
·  ·  · 1
4   8 * 3   * 6 * 5 2  32  1  * 5 * 1 2  32  1  * 5 * 1
 DIVIDING RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS

To Divide Two Fractions

    ·
.  ·  ,   0,   0, and   0
    ·

Example 1 Divide.
   
a. 
. b. .
 

Solution:
1 2
    ·      · 
a. .  ·   b. .  ·  
    ·      · 
1 1

To Divide Rational Expressions

Invert the divisor (the second fraction) and multiply.

 /
Example 2 Divide: .
/ 
 /   
Solution: .  · / 
/  / / 0
  
Example 3 Divide: 
. 

Solution:    9   3    9  * 4  * 3  3  * 4
.  ·  · *3
*4 *4 *4 3 *4 3
 
Example 4 Divide: 
.  * 3

Solution:  * 3 means 
. Invert the divisor and multiply as shown below.

  * 8 * 15 
  * 8 * 15 1  * 5 * 3 1 *5
.  * 3  ·  ·  
     * 3     * 3 * 3   * 3

   

Example 5 Divide: .
  

Solution:

12   22 * 8 3  * 2  8 12   22 * 8 2  * 4 26   11 * 4 2 * 2 22  13  4 2 * 2 42  1
.  ·   ·  · 
3 2  * 4 3 3 * 2  8 3  * 23  4 3  * 23  4 3
 MULTIPLYING & DIVIDING RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS PRACTICE

Multiply and simplify.





1. 
· 1
15. 

·



/ 2 8 9 89
2. · 16. ·
/ 0 1
2 89 89


    
3. · 17. ·
 
  


/ 0
1



4. · 18.


·

/ 


4 4 4
5. ·
1 19. ·
 
4 4 4 5 4 :
   :  0

/
· 1
0 20. ·  
6. 
/
   
  
21. ·
7. ·   

 1

1


3 13 3 3 22. ·


8. · 3


3
;  ; : ; 2 ; 0
  
23. ·
9. · ; 2 ; ; ;

 
   2  0 
3 3 3 3 24. ·
10. 3
· 3
 0   
3 6 3 366
 4 5 25. 3 366
· 3 6
11. · 
4
 
 

3 6 26.  


·  


12. ·
16 7 3
 
 


  27. ·  


13. ·  

 1
 
 


4 4 28. ·
14. ·  
 


4 14

Divide and simplify.

>? 0 1 

29. 28< =  . 36. .


@



@ A @A  

30. . 37. .

4 4



;C0    
31. 24B    . 38.
 
.  
D

E2  E 37 3
32. . 39. .


0 6 2 6

82 9 89  2 
33. . 40. 

. 
F
> >0



   
.  1 41. .
34.
7

 
 
    42. .
35. .  1 5 
 


2 
0
 

43. . 50. .








   2  0




44. . 51. .
 



3  3 3 3 3 3
45. . 52. .
3  3 3  3 31
      
46. . 53. .
      
 

 
 

47.


. 
54. . 





  
3 6 3 366
48. . 55. .


3 366 3 366
    
 


49. .  1 56.  


.  

 1

PRACTICE ANSWERS

89 1H D 
1. 16.  31. 46.
 ; 

2.
 0 /
17. E0
47.  

0  32.





 80 >
48. 

3. 18.
 33.
 9

 /  49.
4. 19. 34. 5 

4 0 44




  35. 5 50.
5. 
20.  



36.


I
J
 /  51. 


6. 21.

 
37.

 3I3 J


7. 22.
 52. 33
 
38. 
 
8.  * 4 23.   2 53.
30 

 39.
9. 24. 60 


  54. 


10.  * 6 3 366
40. 6  ( 
25. 36  36
4 : 41.
2 55. 36
11.   


26. 
  

3 42.  2 56.

12. 60 
27. 



 43.
13.
:
 


28. 
 

 
4 44.
14. 7
 29. 35<G 3

 45.
15. @ 4 3
 30. A
 Kuta Software - Infinite Algebra 1 Name___________________________________

Dividing Rational Expressions Date________________ Period____

Simplify each expression.

10n 13n 2 16n 8n

1) ÷ 2) ÷
9 16 17 6

2 18 12 4
3) ÷ 2 4) ÷
7 8x 7 11r

7 6 5 5x
5) ÷ 6) ÷
18 9a 20 3

4n 4n 3 3
7) ÷ 8) ÷
n − 6 8n − 48 28b b + 1

7a 2 2 6 6
9) 3 2
÷ 2 10) ÷
7a + 56a a + 7a − 8 28 x + 4 35 x + 5

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 x 2 + 10 x + 16 1 49 x + 21 42 x + 18
11) 2
÷ 12) ÷
x + 6x + 8 x+4 6x 6

7 1 1 8a
13) ÷ 14) ÷ 2
8r − 40 8r − 40 2a 2a + 16a

8 1 a−4 1
15) ÷
2
16) 2
÷
4n − 16n n − 4 a − 2a − 8 a − 5

b 2 − 2b − 15 2 10b 2 + 42b + 36 40b + 48

17) ÷ 18) 2
÷ 2
8b + 20 4b + 10 6b − 2b − 60 3b − 13b + 10

16 x − 56 8 x − 28 10 x 2 − 28 x + 16 25 x 2 − 25 x + 4
19) ÷ 20) ÷
8 4 2x − 4 5 x 2 − 41 x + 8

6 p + 27 16 p + 72 3 x 2 − 25 x − 18 5x − 3
21) 2
÷ 22) ÷ 2
18 p + 36 p 2p + 4 27 x + 18 5 x − 33 x + 18

©A O2p0N1K21 GKXuTtiaG 7SZoQf5t2wQaOrFeT KLuLGCs.5 U 6Avlzl0 mrDitg3hkt2sf pryeZsIeOrov4epdH.A m yM9acdJeN cw0iMtthR BIcnYfIicn2iwt3eO MAblBgmevbKr5aC B1i.x -2- Worksheet by Kuta Software LLC
 Kuta Software - Infinite Algebra 1 Name___________________________________

Dividing Rational Expressions Date________________ Period____

Simplify each expression.

10n 13n 2 16n 8n

1) ÷ 2) ÷
9 16 17 6
160 12
117n 17

2 18 12 4
3) ÷ 2 4) ÷
7 8x 7 11r
8x2 33r
63 7

7 6 5 5x
5) ÷ 6) ÷
18 9a 20 3
7a 3
12 20 x

4n 4n 3 3
7) ÷ 8) ÷
n − 6 8n − 48 28b b + 1
8 b+1
28b

7a 2 2 6 6
9) 3 2
÷ 2 10) ÷
7a + 56a a + 7a − 8 28 x + 4 35 x + 5
a−1 5
2 4

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 x 2 + 10 x + 16 1 49 x + 21 42 x + 18
11) 2
÷ 12) ÷
x + 6x + 8 x+4 6x 6
x+8 7
6x

7 1 1 8a
13) ÷ 14) ÷ 2
8r − 40 8r − 40 2a 2a + 16a
7 a+8
8a

8 1 a−4 1
15) ÷
2
16) 2
÷
4n − 16n n − 4 a − 2a − 8 a − 5
2 a−5
n a+2

b 2 − 2b − 15 2 10b 2 + 42b + 36 40b + 48

17) ÷ 18) 2
÷ 2
8b + 20 4b + 10 6b − 2b − 60 3b − 13b + 10
(b + 3)(b − 5) b−1
4 8

16 x − 56 8 x − 28 10 x 2 − 28 x + 16 25 x 2 − 25 x + 4
19) ÷ 20) ÷
8 4 2x − 4 5 x 2 − 41 x + 8
1 x−8

6 p + 27 16 p + 72 3 x 2 − 25 x − 18 5x − 3
21) 2
÷ 22) ÷ 2
18 p + 36 p 2p + 4 27 x + 18 5 x − 33 x + 18
1 ( x − 9)( x − 6)
24 p 9

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©E 22e0f1t2t jKfuKt2aB oSqoVfNtqwiaMraeq 9L3LhCk.A H JAxl7lf orUihg0h8tesh WrGems5e8r8v8eUdH.Z 9 cM9axdde6 cwjimtghO XIPncfriJnTittZeq sARlrgneOburRag l1f.X -2- Worksheet by Kuta Software LLC
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Multiplying Rational Expressions Date________________ Period____

Simplify each expression.

59n 80 53 46n 2
1) ⋅ 2) ⋅
99 33n 43 31

93 34n 79n 85
3) ⋅ 4) ⋅
21n 51n 25 27n 2

96 25 84 48 x
5) ⋅ 6) ⋅
38n 45 3 95

6(r + 2) 4r 7n 2 (n + 4) n−3
7) ⋅ 8) ⋅
20 6(r + 2) (n − 3)(n + 4) (n + 8)(n + 6)

2( p + 6) p−3 9(r + 4) 9r
9) ⋅ 10) ⋅
4 2( p − 3) r+4 9(r − 5)

8(m + 1) 9 ( p + 6)( p − 4) 1
11) ⋅ 12) ⋅
7m 8(m + 1) p−4 ( p − 4)( p − 2)

1 10v + 30 7n 9n − 24
13) ⋅ 14) 3 2
⋅
v + 10 v+3 24n − 64n 7n

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 x+7 x 2 − 3 x − 40 20a 2 − 100a 1
15) ⋅ 16) ⋅
7 x + 35 x−8 a−1 16a − 80a 2
3

3b 2 + 18b 1 p+7 p+2

17) ⋅ 18) ⋅
b+6 b+8 p − 10 7 p + 14

21 x 2 − 21 x 6 x 1 p 2 + 6 p − 27
19) ⋅ 20) ⋅
18 x 2 − 18 x 6 x 2 p−9 p+9

v − 7 10v + 60 5r + 50 r − 2
21) ⋅ 22) ⋅
v+6 v−7 r + 10 5

x 2 − 10 x + 25 x − 10 45 x 2 x 2 − 5 x − 36
23) ⋅ 24) ⋅
10 x − 100 45 − 9 x x − 9 3 x 3 + 12 x 2

8v − 56 v 2 + 9v + 18 9r 3 − 54r 2 9r 2 + 9r
25) ⋅ 26) ⋅
8v + 48 8v 2 + 24v 9r 2 + 45r 9r 3 − 54r 2

m+1 8m − 80 6n + 6 n 2 + 6n − 27
27) ⋅ 2 28) ⋅
3m − 15 m − 9m − 10 n+9 6n + 6

©I 92q0z1D2J bKHuit0al CSuogfNtkwEaQrjez FL4L9CN.5 y 4A1lOln wrxicgCh5tpsV crwebshe8rXvueQdc.D M 8MtaHddeI jwoijtfhP fIPnRfEiBnsiHtZeX XABlKgDeJbkryaF i1f.3 -2- Worksheet by Kuta Software LLC
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Multiplying Rational Expressions Date________________ Period____

Simplify each expression.

59n 80 53 46n 2
1) ⋅ 2) ⋅
99 33n 43 31
4720 2438n 2
3267 1333

93 34n 79n 85
3) ⋅ 4) ⋅
21n 51n 25 27n 2
62 1343
21n 135n

96 25 84 48 x
5) ⋅ 6) ⋅
38n 45 3 95
80 1344 x
57n 95

6(r + 2) 4r 7n 2 (n + 4) n−3
7) ⋅ 8) ⋅
20 6(r + 2) (n − 3)(n + 4) (n + 8)(n + 6)
r 7n 2
5 (n + 8)(n + 6)

2( p + 6) p−3 9(r + 4) 9r
9) ⋅ 10) ⋅
4 2( p − 3) r+4 9(r − 5)
p+6 9r
4 r−5

8(m + 1) 9 ( p + 6)( p − 4) 1
11) ⋅ 12) ⋅
7m 8(m + 1) p−4 ( p − 4)( p − 2)
9 p+6
7m ( p − 4)( p − 2)

1 10v + 30 7n 9n − 24
13) ⋅ 14) 3 2
⋅
v + 10 v+3 24n − 64n 7n
10 3
v + 10 8n 2

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 x+7 x 2 − 3 x − 40 20a 2 − 100a 1
15) ⋅ 16) ⋅
7 x + 35 x−8 a−1 16a − 80a 2
3

x+7 5
7 4a(a − 1)

3b 2 + 18b 1 p+7 p+2

17) ⋅ 18) ⋅
b+6 b+8 p − 10 7 p + 14
3b p+7
b+8 7( p − 10)

21 x 2 − 21 x 6 x 1 p 2 + 6 p − 27
19) ⋅ 20) ⋅
18 x 2 − 18 x 6 x 2 p−9 p+9
7 p−3
6x p−9

v − 7 10v + 60 5r + 50 r − 2
21) ⋅ 22) ⋅
v+6 v−7 r + 10 5
10 r−2

x 2 − 10 x + 25 x − 10 45 x 2 x 2 − 5 x − 36
23) ⋅ 24) ⋅
10 x − 100 45 − 9 x x − 9 3 x 3 + 12 x 2
( x − 5) 15
−
90

8v − 56 v 2 + 9v + 18 9r 3 − 54r 2 9r 2 + 9r
25) ⋅ 26) ⋅
8v + 48 8v 2 + 24v 9r 2 + 45r 9r 3 − 54r 2
v−7 r+1
8v r+5

m+1 8m − 80 6n + 6 n 2 + 6n − 27
27) ⋅ 2 28) ⋅
3m − 15 m − 9m − 10 n+9 6n + 6
8 n−3
3(m − 5)

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©O s2N0s1R2q cKkuDt9aG nSioNfEtEwgaLruee lLKLMC9.w X EAklvl9 Rrvi0gNh0tEsV lrgeisze2rbvCejdE.t I vMfakdreP ZwPiEtLhx 7IpnDfui3nbiHtPed XAllEgFeEbvrhaM w1j.e -2- Worksheet by Kuta Software LLC
 Kuta Software - Infinite Algebra 2 Name___________________________________

Rational Expressions Date________________ Period____

State the excluded values for each.

60 x 3 70v 2
1) 2)
12 x 100v

m+7 n 2 + 6n + 5
3) 2
4)
m + 4m − 21 n+1

35 x − 35 −n 2 + 16n − 63
5) 6)
25 x − 40 n 2 − 2n − 35

Simplify each and state the excluded values.

p+4 9
7) 2
8)
p + 6p + 8 15a − 15

2a 2 + 10a p 2 − 3 p − 10
9) 10)
3a 2 + 15a p2 + p − 2

x2 + x − 6 a 2 + 5a + 4
11) 12)
x 2 + 8 x + 15 a 2 + 9a + 20

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 x 2 − 2 x − 15 10 x − 6
13) 2 14)
x − 6x + 5 10 x − 6

(v − 7)(v + 8) 1 n + 3 (n − 1)(n + 3)
15) ÷ 16) ÷
(v + 8)(v − 10) v − 10 n+2 (n − 1) 2

x + 3 3( x − 6) x−8 4 x( x + 10)
17) ⋅ 18) ⋅
4 3( x + 3) ( x + 6)( x − 8) x + 10

2b 2 − 12b b − 6 1 6−n
19) ÷ 20) ÷
b+5 b+5 n + 9 3n − 18

28 − 7b 1 2 v 2 − 12v + 27
21) ⋅ 22) 2 ⋅
b − 4 b + 10 v − 12v + 27 3

1 9 p − 36 8 − 7x − x2 x+5
23) ÷ 24) ⋅
5 p 2 5 p 3 − 35 p 2 x+8 9x − 9

x 2 − 16 x 2 + x − 90 10 x 2 − 20 x 16 x 3 + 80 x 2
25) ⋅ 2 26) ⋅
9−x x + 14 x + 40 40 x 3 − 80 x 2 6 x + 30

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 Kuta Software - Infinite Algebra 2 Name___________________________________

Rational Expressions Date________________ Period____

State the excluded values for each.

60 x 3 70v 2
1) 2)
12 x 100v
{0 } {0 }

m+7 n 2 + 6n + 5
3) 2
4)
m + 4m − 21 n+1
{−7, 3} {−1}

35 x − 35 −n 2 + 16n − 63
5) 6)
25 x − 40 n 2 − 2n − 35
{−5, 7}
{} 8
5

Simplify each and state the excluded values.

p+4 9
7) 2
8)
p + 6p + 8 15a − 15
1 3
; {−2, −4} ; {1 }
p+2 5(a − 1)

2a 2 + 10a p 2 − 3 p − 10
9) 10)
3a 2 + 15a p2 + p − 2
2 p−5
; {0, −5} ; {−2, 1}
3 p−1

x2 + x − 6 a 2 + 5a + 4
11) 12)
x 2 + 8 x + 15 a 2 + 9a + 20
x−2 a+1
; {−3, −5} ; {−4, −5}
x+5 a+5

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 x 2 − 2 x − 15 10 x − 6
13) 2 14)
x − 6x + 5 10 x − 6
x+3
x−1
; {1, 5} 1; {}
3
5

(v − 7)(v + 8) 1 n + 3 (n − 1)(n + 3)
15) ÷ 16) ÷
(v + 8)(v − 10) v − 10 n+2 (n − 1) 2
v − 7; {−8, 10} n−1
; {−2, 1, −3}
n+2

x + 3 3( x − 6) x−8 4 x( x + 10)
17) ⋅ 18) ⋅
4 3( x + 3) ( x + 6)( x − 8) x + 10
x−6 4x
; {−3} ; {−6, 8, −10}
4 x+6

2b 2 − 12b b − 6 1 6−n
19) ÷ 20) ÷
b+5 b+5 n + 9 3n − 18
2b; {−5, 6} 3
− ; {−9, 6}
n+9

28 − 7b 1 2 v 2 − 12v + 27
21) ⋅ 22) 2 ⋅
b − 4 b + 10 v − 12v + 27 3
7 2
− ; {4, −10} ; {3, 9}
b + 10 3

1 9 p − 36 8 − 7x − x2 x+5
23) ÷ 24) ⋅
5 p 2 5 p 3 − 35 p 2 x+8 9x − 9
p−7 ( x + 5)
; {0, 7, 4} − ; {−8, 1}
9( p − 4) 9

x 2 − 16 x 2 + x − 90 10 x 2 − 20 x 16 x 3 + 80 x 2
25) ⋅ 2 26) ⋅
9−x x + 14 x + 40 40 x 3 − 80 x 2 6 x + 30
−( x − 4); {9, −4, −10} 2x
; {0, 2, −5}
3

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©c t2p0r162S XKQuct2aK oSEo6fttuwraEr5e6 2LuLICg.J W XAqlAlv grNiegVhQtjsS rrDeysYe4r4v5e0d9.i c SMPaSdieO Nwli6thhO aIFnNf9i6nsi9t3e9 4AslZgWeqbDrfa8 52m.w -2- Worksheet by Kuta Software LLC