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Exercises Polynomials and factoring

Example 8.6 from Elementary Algebra, 8.1 Simplify Rational Expressions

Simplify Rational Expressions: example 8.6

Simplify: $\frac{3 x y}{18 x^{2} y^{2}} .$

Work it out on paper first. Then open the solution one step at a time, and stop as soon as you can finish on your own.

Solution

Rewrite the numerator and denominator showing the common factors.

Simplify using the Equivalent Fractions Property.

Did you notice that these are the same steps we took when we divided monomials in Polynomials?

Your turn

The book's Try It right after this example: same idea, new numbers. Only the answer is given.

Simplify: $\frac{4 x^{2} y}{12 x y^{2}} .$

How did it go?

PreviousSimplify Rational Expressions: example 8.5 Next Simplify Rational Expressions: example 8.7

From Elementary Algebra (1st edition) by OpenStax (Rice University), section 8.1, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Original at openstax.org. We split the solution into steps; the words, numbers and figures are the book's. OpenStax doesn't endorse this site.