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Multiplying Rational Expressions. Joyce DuVall Green Valley High School Henderson, Nevada. Multiplying Rational Expressions. The objective is to be able to multiply rational expressions. Step 1. Multiply the following rational expressions. Multiply the numerators. 2. 36. x. 5. ·. 3.
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Multiplying Rational Expressions Joyce DuVall Green Valley High School Henderson, Nevada
Multiplying Rational Expressions • The objective is to be able to multiply rational expressions.
Step 1 Multiply the following rational expressions. • Multiply the numerators. 2 36 x 5 · 3 16 x
2 36 x 5 · 3 16 x Step 2 Multiply the denominators
Step 3 Simplify the resulting expression by dividing out the greatest common factor of the numerator and denominator. The greatest common factor (GCF) of 36 and 48 is 12. The greatest common factor (GCF) of x2 and x5 is x2.
Simplify 2 · · 3 12 x 2 3 · · · 4 12 x x 2 12 x 3 · · 2 3 12 x 4 x 3 3 · · = 1 1 3 3 4 x 4 x
Method 2 When the rational expressions become more complex or the numbers become larger, it is sometimes easier to divide out the common factors and then multiply. This is the case for the following example.
Example Factor each term. Divide out the common factors
- - x y x y 4 4 Example Continued · · = 1 1 Simplify
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