- Reducing Rational Expressions to Lowest Terms
- A rational expression is reduced to lowest terms when the numerator and denominator have no common factors other than 1.
- To simplify a rational expression means to reduce the rational expression to lowest terms.
- To reduce rational expressions to lowest terms.....
- Factor both the numerator and denominator as completely as possible.
- Cancel factors common to both the numerator and denominator.
- Multiplying Rational Expressions
- For a, b, c, and d expressions with b
 0 and d 0:
- To multiply rational expressions.....
- Factor all numerators and denominators as far as possible.
- Cancel any common factors.
- Multiply the numerators.
- Multiply the denominators.
- Reduce the answer when possible.
- Dividing Rational Expressions
- For a, b, c, and d expressions with b 0, c 0, and d 0:
- To multiply rational expressions.....
- Invert the divisor (the second or bottom fraction).
- Multiply the resulting rational expressions.
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