P.4: Fractional Expressions

Unit P: Prerequisites for Algebra 5-Trig

Vocabulary

• Domain: Set of real numbers for which the algebraic expression is defined.

• Two expressions are equivalent if they have the same domain and yield the same values for all numbers in their domain.

Finding the Domain

• A polynomial: all real numbers

• Radical expression: make sure that the radicand is nonnegative.

• Rational expression: make sure that the denominator is not equal to zero.

Simplifying Rational Expressions

• Factor the numerator and the denominator.

• Divide out common factors.

Operations with Rational Expressions

• Multiplying • Factor and multiply straight across. • Divide out common factors

• Dividing• Factor, flip the second fraction and multiply

straight across.• Divide out common factors.

Operations with Rational Expressions

• Adding/Subtracting• Factor the denominator• Find the LCD• Add/Subtract• Factor numerator• Divide out common factors.

Compound Fractions

Simplifying Compound Fractions

Simplifying Compound Fractions