LO: Simplify algebraic fractions by cancelling
out common factors
Starter:
Factorise:
a) 6x + 9= 3(2x + 3)
b) x2 + 9x= x(x + 3x)
c) 14xy – 21x
= 7x(2y – 3)
= (x + 10)(x - 1)
d) x2 + 9x - 10
LO: Simplify algebraic fractions by cancelling
out common factors
Grade 4-5: Simplify algebraic fractions
involving a common number and/or
letter
Grade 6-7: Simplify algebraic fractions
involving a common number and/or several
letters
Grade 8-9: Simplify algebraic fractions
requiring factorising first
Simplify algebraic fractions involving
Key Vocabulary Cross Curricular Links
quadratic expressions Algebra helps logical thinking and helps to
Cancel Common break down a problem to find its solution.
Factor Although you won’t see theoretical algebraic
Divide Fraction
problems on a daily basis, the exposure to them
Factorise Simplify Term will train your mind to think logically.
Simplify algebraic fractions involving a common number and/or letter
This is essentially the same as cancelling fractions
down, although with algebra instead
e.g. Simplify the following algebraic fractions:
Divide the
Divide the Divide the
numerator
numerator numerator
and
and and
denominator
denominator denominator
by 7
by 3 by 10
Divide the Divide the
numerator numerator
and and
denominator denominator
by y by a
N.B. You can also think about the final
step as the y’s cancelling each other
out
Simplify algebraic fractions involving a common number
and/or several letters
This is essentially the same as cancelling fractions
down, although with algebra instead
e.g. Simplify the following algebraic fractions:
Divide the Divide the
Divide the
numerator numerator
numerator
and and
and
denominator denominator
denominator
by 3 by 5
by a
Divide by t
Divide by b
Divide by r Divide by y
Simplify algebraic fractions Simplify algebraic fractions
involving a common involving a common number
number and/or letter and/or several letters
Simplify the following algebraic fractions:
a) b)
c) d)
e) f)
g) h)
Simplify algebraic fractions requiring factorising first
These will require you to factorise either the
numerator or denominator (or both!) before you can
look to simplify
e.g. Simplify the following algebraic fractions:
Simplify algebraic fractions requiring factorising first
Simplify the following algebraic fractions:
Simplify algebraic fractions involving quadratic expressions
Simplify the following…
a) x2 + 6x + b) x–6 c) x2 – 2x - 8
5x+5 x2 - 9x + x2 +
Factorise Factorise
18 the 3x + 2 Factorise
the both!
denominat
(x + 5)(x + numerator x-6 or (x + 2)(x –
1) x + 5 (x – 6)(x – 4) (x
3) + 2)(x + 1) ÷ (x + 2)
÷ (x + 5) ÷ (x - 6)
x+ x-4
11 x
+1
x+
1
Simplify algebraic fractions involving quadratic expressions
1. Simplify the following algebraic fractions
LO: Simplify algebraic fractions by cancelling
out common factors
Grade 4-5: Simplify algebraic fractions
involving a common number and/or
letter
Grade 6-7: Simplify algebraic fractions
involving a common number and/or several
letters
Grade 8-9: Simplify algebraic fractions
requiring factorising first
Simplify algebraic fractions involving
Key Vocabulary Cross Curricular Links
quadratic expressions Algebra helps logical thinking and helps to
Cancel Common break down a problem to find its solution.
Factor Although you won’t see theoretical algebraic
Divide Fraction
problems on a daily basis, the exposure to them
Factorise Simplify Term will train your mind to think logically.
