LESSON

NAME _________________________________________________________ DATE ____________

9.4 Reteaching with Practice

For use with pages 554–560

GOAL Multiply and divide rational expressions

VOCABULARY

A rational expression is in simplified form provided its numerator and

denominator have no common factors, other than ± 1.

Simplifying Rational Expressions

Let a, b, and c be nonzero real numbers or variable expressions. Then
the following property applies:
ac a
 Divide out common factor c.
bc b
To divide one rational expression by another, multiply the first expres-
sion by the reciprocal of the second expression.
a c a d ad ad
 
b d b
 c  bc Simplify
bc
if possible.

EXAMPLE 1 Simplifying a Rational Expression

x2  5x  6
Simplify .
x3  3x2

SOLUTION

x2  5x  6 x  2x  3
 Factor numerator and denominator.
x3  3x2 x2x  3
x  2x  3
 Divide out common factor.
x2x  3
x2
 Simplified form
x2

Exercises for Example 1

If possible, simplify the rational expression.

y2  81 2x  3 x3 y2  7y
1. 2. 3. 4.
Lesson 9.4

2y  18 4x  6 x  6x  9
2 y2  8y  7

58 Algebra 2 Copyright © McDougal Littell Inc.

Chapter 9 Resource Book All rights reserved.
 LESSON
NAME _________________________________________________________ DATE ____________

9.4
CONTINUED
Reteaching with Practice
For use with pages 554–560

EXAMPLE 2 Multiplying Rational Expressions Involving Polynomials

x2  2x x2  4x  3
Multiply:
x2  2x  1
 x2  3x
SOLUTION

x2  2x x2  4x  3 xx  2 x  3x  1 Factor numerators

x2  2x  1
 x  3x
2

x  1x  1
 xx  3 and denominators.
xx  2x  3x  1 Multiply and divide

xx  1x  1x  3 out common factors.
x2
 Simplified form
x1

Exercises for Example 2

Multiply the rational expressions. Simplify the result.
x2  2x  3 x2  2x 5x  20 2x  6 12  x 3
5.
x2
 x2  1
6.
5x  15
 x4
7.
3
 x  12

EXAMPLE 3 Dividing Rational Expressions

2x3  12x2 8x3  24x2

Divide: 
x2  4x  12 x2  9x  18
SOLUTION
2x3  12x2 8x3  24x2 2x3  12x2 x2  9x  18 Multiply by
 
x2  4x  12 x2  9x  18 x2  4x  12
 8x3  24x2 reciprocal.

2x2x  6 x  6x  3

x  2x  6
 8x2x  3
Factor.

2x2x  6x  6x  3 Multiply and divide


2  4x2x  2x  6x  3 out common factors.
x6
 Simplified form
4x  2

Exercises for Example 3

Lesson 9.4

Divide the rational expressions. Simplify the result.

48x2 36xy2 x2 3x
8.  9. 
y 5 x2 1 x1

Copyright © McDougal Littell Inc. Algebra 2 59

All rights reserved. Chapter 9 Resource Book