1

1.1

BASIC ALGEBRA

Simplifying Algebraic Fractions

Algebraic fraction has the same properties as numerical fraction. The only difference being that
the numerator (top) and denominator (bottom) are both algebraic expressions. Fractional algebra
is a rational number usually stated in the form of p , where p and q are integers. Integer 'p' is
q

known as the numerator and integer 'q' as denominator.

Meanwhile, an ordinary fraction is usually use to represent a part of an object or figure. For
example: a cake is cut into 6 equal parts. One part can be represented with fractional expression
of 1/6, similarly if expressed in the fractional algebra. There are some important terms to be
familiarize with before solving fractional algebra.

i.

Equivalent fractions are fractions having same value.

1
2

ii.
iii.

p
q

2
4

4
8

Single fraction is any fractional phrase.

Lowest fractional form is a fraction that cannot be simplified further, or, its numerator
and denominator does not have a common factor.
Numerator
Denominator

Example 1
Complete the equivalent fractions below :
2
6
a)

5
10
20

BASIC ALGEBRA

b)

c)

A
AB

2
BC
AB C

d)

XYZ
XYZ

XZ
XYZ

20

Solution:
2
4
6
8
a)

5
10
15
20
2
6
20
b)
2

1
3
10
c)

A
A2 B
AB

2
2
BC
AB C
B C

d)

XYZ
XYZ
XY 2 Z
2

XZ
XYZ
X YZ 2
2

Example 2
Simplify each of the following fractions:
a)

2b
7b 2

b)

3x x 2
6x 2

c) 6m (2m) 4m

Solution:
(a)
(b)

2b
2b
2

2
7 b b 7b
7b
2
3x x
x(3 x) 3 x

2
x (6 x )
6x
6x

NOTE: The cancellation in (b) is allowed since x is a common factor of the numerator and the
denominator. Sometimes extra work is necessary before an algebraic fraction can be reduced to a
simpler form.
(c)

6m (2m) 4m 6m 2m 4m

BASIC ALGEBRA
12m

Example 3
Simplify the algebraic fraction:

x 2 2x 1
x 2 2x 3

Solution
In this case, the numerator and denominator can be factorised into two terms. Thus,

x 2 2 x 1 ( x 1) 2 and x 2 2 x 3 ( x 1)( x 3)

x 2 2 x 1 ( x 1)( x 1)

x 2 2 x 3 ( x 3)( x 1)

So,

x 1
x3

Exercise 1
Simplify each of the following algebraic fractions.
(a)

7a 6 b 3
14a 5 b 4

(b)

y 2 7 y 10
y 2 25

Solution
(a)

7a 6 b 3
The fraction is
. Instead of expanding the factors, it is easier to use the rule of
14a 5 b 4
indices (powers) :
am
a mn
an
,

Thus,

7a 6 b 3
7 a 6 b3

14a 5 b 4 14 a 5 b 4

BASIC ALGEBRA

(b)

1
a 6 5 b 3 4
2

1
a 6 5 b 3 4
2

a
2b

In this case, initial factorization is needed. So,

y 2 7 y 10 ( y 5)( y 2)

and

y 2 25 ( y 5)( y 5)
Thus,
y 2 7 y 10 ( y 5)( y 2)

( y 5)( y 5)
y 2 25

y2
y 5

Exercise 2
Which of the following is a simplified version of

(a)

t4
t2

(b)

t4
t2

(c )

t4
t2

(d )

t 2 3t 4
?
t 2 3t 2
t4
t2

Solution
Factorize the numerator and denominator is respectively

t 2 3t 4 (t 1)(t 4)
so that,

t 2 3t 4 (t 1)(t 4)

t 2 3t 2 (t 1)(t 2)

and

t 2 3t 2 (t 1)(t 2)

BASIC ALGEBRA

t4
t2

So far, simplification has been achieved by cancelling common factors from the numerator and
denominator. There are fractions which can be simplified by multiplying the numerator and
denominator by an appropriate common factor, thus obtaining an equivalent, simpler expression.

Exercise 3
Simplify the following fractions:

a)

1
y
4
1
2

3x

b)

1
x

Solution
(a)

In this case, multiplying both the numerator and the denominator by 4 gives:
1
1
y 4( y )
1 4y
4
4

1
1
2
4( )
2
2

(b)

To simplify this expression, multiply the numerator and denominator

by 2 x. Thus
1
1
x(3x )
2
x
x 3x 1
2
2x
2x

3x

Exercise 4

BASIC ALGEBRA

Simplify each of the following algebra fractions.

4y

(a)

3
2

1
3
(b)
1
z
2
z

Solution
(a)

The fraction is simplified by multiplying both the numerator and the denominator by 2.
3
3
2(4 y )
2
2 8y 3
2
2 2
4

4y

(b)

In this case, since the numerator contains the fraction 1/3 and the denominator contains
the fraction 1/2, the common factor needed is 2 3 = 6. Thus
1
1
6( z )
3
3 6z 2
1
1
6z 3
z
6( z )
2
2
z

Exercise 5:
1
x 1 ?
x 1

Which of the following is a simplified version of

(a)

x2 x 1
x2 x 1

(b)

x2 x 1
x2 1

(c )

x2 1
x2 x 1

(d )

x 2 1
x2 1

Solution:

BASIC ALGEBRA

For

1
x 1
x 1

, the common multiplier is ( x + 1). Multiplying the numerator and the denominator

by this gives:
1
1
( x 1)( x
)
x 1
x 1
x 1
( x 1)( x 1)

( x 1) x ( x 1)(

( x 2 1)

1
)
x 1

( x 2 x 1)
( x 2 1)

Exercise 7:
1.

Simplified the following.

a) 2rs 3r 2 s 3t
5
b) 4 p 2 q ( p 3 q 2 x)
12
2
c) 24ab c 6ab
36 f 3 g 2 h
d)
9 f 2 g 2h
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
k)
l)
m)
n)

3 p 2 q 15npq 2
10npq
26 xy 2 z 3 12 xyz 18xz
7r 2 s 2 (4r 2 s 2 ) 3rs 2
6mn 2 xy 3mn 5xy 4
5(2ab 3by)
(6mk 15ab 12c 2 ) 3
(5xy 3z 2 ) (2 xy 4 z 2 )
(3 p 2 k 2mn) (rs 3mn p 2 k )
1
9 (8m 4n)
2
10 x 12
2(5 x 3)
2

Answer for Exercise 7:

1.

BASIC ALGEBRA

a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
k)
l)
m)
n)

6r 3 s 4 t
5
p5q3 x
3
4bc
4f
9 2 2
p q
2
39xyz 3
11r 2 s 2 3rs 2
3mn 7 xy 4
10ab 15xy
2mk 5ab 4c 2
7 xy z 2

4 p 2 k mn rs
9 4m 2n
15x 12

1.2

BASIC ALGEBRA
Solving Algebraic Fractions Using Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and
Division

It is make revenue process of finding increase and revenue push of two or more fraction algebra.
In settling these operations there were 3 moves that must be followed.

ADDITION
Example 1:
Calculate
3 1

5 5

.
Solution:
Since the denominators are the same, the denominator of the answer will be 5. Adding
the numerators , 3 + 1 = 4. The result will be:
3 1 3 1 4

5 5
5
5

Example 2:
Calculate
1 1

2 3
Solution:
The denominators are different, so you must build each fraction to a form where both
have the same denominator. Since 6 is the common factor for 2 and 3, build both
fractions to a denominator of 6.
1
1 3 3
1
2
2 3 6

and,
1
1 2 2
1
3
3 2 6

Then

10

BASIC ALGEBRA

1 1 3 2 3 2 5

2 3 6 6
6
6

SUBTRACTION
Example 1:
3 1
Calculate
5 5
Solution:
The denominators are the same, so you can skip step 1. The denominator of the answer
will be 5. Subtract the numerators for the numerator in the answer. 3 - 1 = 2. The answer
is
3 1 3 1 2

5 5
5
5

Example 2:
Calculate
1 1

2 3

Solution:
Since the denominators are not the same, you must build each fraction to a form where
both have the same denominator. As 6 is the common factor for 2 and 3, use 6 as the
denominator.
1
1 3 3
1
2
2 3 6

and,
1
1 2 2
1
3
3 2 6

Then,
1 1 3 2 32 1

2 3 6 6
6
6

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BASIC ALGEBRA
MULTIPLICATION

Example 1:
3 8

4 9

Solution:
Multiply the numerators and the denominators, and simplify the result. Thus,
3 8 24 2

4 9 36 3

Example 2:
2 6

7 15

Solution:
Multiply the numerators and the denominators, and simplify the result. Thus,
26
12
4

7 15 105 35

DIVISION
Example 1:
3 9

4 16

Solution:
Change the division sign to multiplication and invert the fraction to the right of the sign.
3 16

4 9

Multiply the numerators and the denominators, and simplify the result.
3 16 48 4

4 9 36 3

12

BASIC ALGEBRA

Example 2:
3 9

40 8

Solution:
Change the division sign to multiplication and invert the fraction to the right of the sign.
3 8

40 9

Multiply the numerators and the denominators, and simplify the result.
3 8 3 8
24
1

40 9 40 9 360 15

Exercise 1:

Exercise 2:

Exercise 3:

Simplify

(5st )(8s 2 t 3 )
10s 3t 2

Solution:

(5st )(8s 2 t 3 ) 40s 3t 4

4t 2
3 2
3 2
10s t
10s t

Simplify

12a 2 b
(3ab 2 ) 2

Solution:

12a 2 b
12a 2 b
4
2 4 3
2 2
(3ab )
9a b
3b

Simplify

2m 2 n 6mn
2m

Solution:

Form the given fraction into 2 fractions,

both with denominator 2m. Thus,

2m 2 n 6mn 2m 2 n 6mn

mn 3n
2m
2m
2m

Exercise 4:

Simplify

1
x

5
4
x

13

BASIC ALGEBRA

Solution 1 - Multiplying by the reciprocal

Change the top expression into a single fraction with denominator x.
3

1 3x 1

x
x

Change the below expression into a single fraction with denominator x.

5
5 4x
4
x
x

Thus, the question has become:

1
3x 1
x x
5
5 4x
4
x
x

Look at the right hand side expression as a division process. Thus,

3x 1 5 4 x

x
x

Instead of division, we can carry out the multiplication by a reciprocal method.

3x 1
x
3x 1

x
5 4x 5 4x

The x's cancelled out, and we have our final answer, which is in its simplest form.
Solution 2 - Multiplying top and bottom
Multiply "x" to both the numerator and denominator. So, by just multiplying
the top and bottom part by x, everything will be simplified.
1
(3 )
x x 3x 1
5
x 5 4x
( 4)
x

14

BASIC ALGEBRA

QUADRATIC EQUATION
A Quadratic equation in a unknown (variable) is one equation have one unknown only and his
unknown's supreme power is 2.

ROOT OF A QUADRATIC EQUATION

Root of a quadratic equation can be found by using three methods:
a) Factorization
b) Quadratic formula
c) Completing the square

a.

Factorization

Example:
Solve the quadratic equations below, using factorization method.
a) 2x2 + 13x + 10 = 0
b) 6x2 20 = 2x
c) 3x = - 6x2
Solution:
a) Given: 2 x 2 13x 10 0
Then: (2 x 3)( x 5) 0

x3 0
x 3
b) Given:
Then:

x5 0
x 5

6 x 2 20 2 x

6 x 2 2 x 20 0
(3x 5)(2 x 4) 0

3x 5 0
5
x
3
c) Given:
Then:

or
or

3x 6 x 2
6 x 2 3x 0

or
or

2x 4 0
x 2

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BASIC ALGEBRA
x(6 x 3) 0

x0
b.

x 3

or

Quadratic formula

If quadratic equation given by form ax 2 bx c 0 , then value x can find through quadratic
formula, x

b b 2 4ac
2a

Example:
Solve quadratic equation using quadratic formula method
a. 9 x 2 21x 18 0
b. 2 x 2 17 x 35
c. 5x 2 4 x 2 0
Solution:
a.

9 x 2 21x 18 0

Thus:

a = 9, b = 21 and c = -18

21 212 49 18
x
29
x

21 441 648
18

21 1089
18

21 33
18

21 33
18

or

21 33
18

16

b.

BASIC ALGEBRA

12
18

or

54
18

2
3

or

2 x 2 17 x 35

So,

then: 2 x 2 17 x 35 0

a=2, b=-17, and c=35

x

(17) 17 2 4(2)(35)
2(2)

17 289 280
4

17 9
4

17 3
4

17 3
4

x 5 or

c.

or

17 3
4

7
2

5x 2 4 x 2 0

(4) 4 2 45 2
x
25

4 16 40
10

17

BASIC ALGEBRA

4 56
10

4 7.48
10

4 7.48
10

11.48
10
x 1.148 or
x

c)

or

4 7.48
10

or

3.48
10

0.348

Completing the square

Example
Solve the quadratic equation using completing the square
a) 4x2 + 5 = -9x
b) x2 = 4x + 4
c) 2x2 +4x 8=0

Solution
a)
Given 4x2 + 5 = -9x
Step 1: Arrange to the form into ax 2 bx c
4 x 2 9 x 5

Step 2:

Divide with 4 to make the coefficient of x2 equal to 1

4x 2 9x
5

4
4
4
9x
5
x2

4
4

BASIC ALGEBRA

18

Step 3:

x2

9 1
9
Add ( ) 2 ( ) 2 to both sides
4 2
8

9x 9 2
5 9
( ) ( )2
4
8
4 8
9
5 9
(x )2 ( )2
8
4 8

80 81
64

9
1
(x )2
8
64

9
1
(x )
8
64
1

8
9 1
9 1
or x
x
8 8
8 8
8
10
or x
x
8
8

x 1

b)

Given

or x

5
4

4x2 = 4x + 4

Step 1:

Arrange to the form into ax 2 bx c

4x2 4x = 4

Step 2:

Divided by 4 to make the coefficient of x2 equal to 1

4x 2 4x 4

4
4 4

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BASIC ALGEBRA
x2 x = 1

Step 3:

1
1
Add (1 ) 2 ( ) 2 to both sides
2
2
1
1
x2 x ( )2 1 ( )2
2
2

1
1
(x )2 1
2
4

5
4

1
5

2
4

1
5

2
4

x 0.5 1.118
x 0.5 1.118

or

x 1.618

x 0.618

or

x 0.5 1.118

c) Given 2x2+4x-8 =0
Step 1:

Arrange to the form into ax 2 bx c

2x2 + 4x = 8

Step 2:

Divided by 2 to make the coefficient of x2 equal to 1

2x 2 4x 8

2
2 2

BASIC ALGEBRA

20

x 2 2x 4

Step 3:

1
Add (2 ) 2 (1) 2 to both sides
2
x 2 2 x 12 4 12

( x 1) 2 5
x 1 5
x 1 5

x 1 2.236
x 1 2.236
or
x 1.236

or x 1 2.236
x 3.236

Exercise:
1. Solve quadratic equation
i.
by factoring
(a) x 2 6 x 8 0
(b) 3x 2 14 x 5 0
(c) 3x 2 13x 4 0
ii.

by quadratic formula
(a) 2 x 2 6 x 1 0
(b) 5x 2 3x 9 0
1
(c) x 2 9 x 10
2

iii.

by completing the square

(a) x 2 6 x 7 0
(b) 2 x 2 6 x 0
(c) 3x 2 6 x 12 0

Answer:

21

BASIC ALGEBRA

1. i.

By factoring
(a)
x 2, x 4
(b)

1
x , x 5
3

(c)

1
x , x 4
3

ii. By quadratic formula

(a)
(b)
(c)

iii.

x 2.823, x 0.177
x 1.075, x 1.675

x 1.05, x 19.05

By completing the square

(a) x 7, x 1
(b) x 3, x 0
(c) x 1.236, x 3.236