Algebraic Fractions

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Algebraic Fractions

What is an algebraic fraction?

An algebraic fraction is a fraction that contains at least one algebraic expression (with a variable) such as 3x3x.
The expression can be in the numerator or the denominator or both.

Simplifying Algebraic Fractions

We can simplify algebraic fractions only when there is a multiplication operation between the algebraic factors in the numerator and the denominator, and there are no addition or subtraction operations.
Steps to simplify algebraic fractions:

  1. The first step –
    Attempt to factor out a common factor.
  2. The second step –
    Attempt to simplify using special product formulas.
  3. The third step –
    Attempt to factor by using a trinomial.

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Factoring algebraic fractions

How do you reduce algebraic fractions?

  1. We will find the common factor that is most beneficial for us to extract.
  2. If we do not find one, we will proceed to factorization using the formulas for shortened multiplication.
  3. If we cannot use the formulas for shortened multiplication, we will proceed to factorization using trinomials.
  4. We will simplify (only when there is multiplication between the terms unless the terms are in parentheses, in which case we will treat it as a single term).

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Addition and Subtraction of Algebraic Fractions

We will make all the denominators the same – we will reach a common denominator.
We will use factorization according to the methods we have learned.
Steps of the operation:

  1. We will factor all the denominators.
  2. We will multiply each numerator by the number it needs so that its denominator reaches the common denominator.
  3. We will write the exercise with one denominator - the common denominator, and between the expressions in the numerators, we will keep the arithmetic operations as in the original exercise.
  4. After opening parentheses, we might encounter another expression that we need to factor. We will factor it and see if we can simplify.
  5. We will get a regular fraction and solve it.

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Multiplication and Division of Algebraic Fractions

Steps to multiply algebraic fractions:

  • Let's try to factor out a common factor.
    The common factor can be our variable or any constant number.
  • If factoring out a common factor is not enough, we will reduce using the formulas for the product of sums or using trinomials.
  • Let's find the domain of substitution:
    We will set all the denominators we have to 0 and find the solutions.
    The domain of substitution will be: x different from what makes the denominator zero.
  • Let's simplify the fractions.
  • We will multiply numerator by numerator and denominator by denominator as in a regular fraction.

Steps for dividing algebraic fractions:

  • We will turn the division exercise into a multiplication exercise in this way:
    We will leave the first fraction as it is, change the division sign to a multiplication sign, and invert the fraction that comes after the division operation. That is, numerator in place of denominator and denominator in place of numerator.
  • We will follow the rules for multiplying algebraic fractions:
    • We will try to factor out a common factor.
      The common factor can be our variable or any free number.
    • If factoring out a common factor is not enough, we will decompose using the formulas for shortened multiplication and also using trinomials.
    • We will find the domain of substitution:
      We will set all the denominators we have to 0 and find the solutions.
      The domain of substitution will be x different from what zeros the denominator.
    • We will simplify the fractions.
    • We will multiply numerator by numerator and denominator by denominator as in a regular fraction.


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Test yourself on factorization and algebraic fractions!

einstein

Complete the corresponding expression for the denominator

\( \frac{12ab}{?}=1 \)

Practice more now

Simplifying algebraic fractions

Exercise:
Simplify the following algebraic fraction:
4x+22x\frac{4x+2}{2x}

Solution:
First, we factor out the common factor 44 in the numerator and get:
4(x+1)2x\frac{4(x+1)}{2x}
Now we simplify the 44 by 22 and get:
2(x+1)x\frac{2(x+1)}{x}


Another exercise:
Simplify the following algebraic fraction:
x+1020\frac{x+10}{20}

Solution:
The fraction cannot be simplified because xx is not involved in multiplication but in addition.

Addition and subtraction of algebraic fractions

Exercise:
1x2βˆ’25+1x2βˆ’10x+25=\frac{1}{x^2-25}+\frac{1}{x^2-10x+25}=

Let's factor all the denominators:
1(xβˆ’5)(x+5)+1(xβˆ’5)2=\frac{1}{(x-5)(x+5)}+\frac{1}{(x-5)^2}=
It is advisable to write down the common denominator in front of us, so it will be easier to know what to multiply each numerator by:
(x+5)(xβˆ’5)2(x+5) (x-5)^2
We will multiply each numerator by what it needs so that its denominator reaches the common denominator, write the exercise with one denominator and get:
xβˆ’5+x+5(x+5)(xβˆ’5)2=\frac{x-5+x+5}{(x+5)(x-5)^2}=
Combine terms in the numerator and get
2x(x+5)(xβˆ’5)2\frac{2x}{(x+5)(x-5)^2}
This is the final answer.

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Examples with solutions for Algebraic Fractions

Exercise #1

Complete the corresponding expression for the denominator

12ab?=1 \frac{12ab}{?}=1

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's examine the problem:

12ab?=1 \frac{12ab}{?}=1 Now let's think logically, and remember the known fact that dividing any number by itself always yields the result 1,

Therefore, in order to get the result 1 from dividing two numbers, the only way is to divide the number by itself, meaning-

The missing expression in the denominator of the fraction on the left side is the complete expression that appears in the numerator of the same fraction:

12ab 12ab .

Therefore- the correct answer is answer D.

Answer

12ab 12ab

Exercise #2

Complete the corresponding expression for the denominator

16ab?=2b \frac{16ab}{?}=2b

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's examine the problem, first we'll write the expression on the right side as a fraction (using the fact that dividing a number by 1 does not change its value):

16ab?=2b↓16ab?=2b1 \frac{16ab}{?}=2b \\ \downarrow\\ \frac{16ab}{?}=\frac{2b}{1}

Now let's think logically, and remember the fraction reduction operation,

For the fraction on the left side to be reducible, we want all the terms in its denominator to have a common factor, additionally, we want to reduce the number 16 to get the number 2, and reduce the term a a from the fraction's denominator since in the expression on the right side it does not appear, therefore we will choose the expression:

8a 8a

because:

16=8β‹…2 16=8\cdot 2

Let's verify that with this choice we indeed get the expression on the right side:

16ab?=2b1↓1ΜΈ6aΜΈb8ΜΈaΜΈ=?2b1↓2b1=!2b1 \frac{16ab}{?}=\frac{2b}{1} \\ \downarrow\\ \frac{\not{16}\not{a}b}{\textcolor{red}{\not{8}\not{a}}}\stackrel{?}{= }\frac{2b}{1} \\ \downarrow\\ \boxed{\frac{2b}{1}\stackrel{!}{= }\frac{2b}{1} }

therefore this choice is indeed correct.

In other words - the correct answer is answer B.

Answer

8a 8a

Exercise #3

Complete the corresponding expression for the denominator

16ab?=8a \frac{16ab}{?}=8a

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Using the formula:

xy=zw→x⋅y=z⋅y \frac{x}{y}=\frac{z}{w}\xrightarrow{}x\cdot y=z\cdot y

We first convert the 8 into a fraction, and multiply

16ab?=81 \frac{16ab}{?}=\frac{8}{1}

16abΓ—1=8a 16ab\times1=8a

16ab=8a 16ab=8a

We then divide both sides by 8a:

16ab8a=8a8a \frac{16ab}{8a}=\frac{8a}{8a}

2b 2b

Answer

2b 2b

Exercise #4

Complete the corresponding expression for the denominator

19ab?=a \frac{19ab}{?}=a

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's examine the problem, first we'll write down the expression on the right side as a fraction (using the fact that dividing a number by 1 doesn't change its value):

19ab?=a↓19ab?=a1 \frac{19ab}{?}=a \\ \downarrow\\ \frac{19ab}{?}=\frac{a}{1}
Now let's think logically, and remember the fraction reduction operation,

For the fraction on the left side to be reducible, we want all the terms in its denominator to have a common factor, additionally, we want to reduce the number 19 to get the number 1 and also reduce the term b b from the fraction's numerator since in the expression on the right side it doesn't appear, therefore we'll choose the expression:

19b 19b

Let's verify that with this choice we indeed get the expression on the right side:

19ab?=a1↓1ΜΈ9abΜΈ1ΜΈ9bΜΈ=?a1↓a1=!a1 \frac{19ab}{?}=\frac{a}{1} \\ \downarrow\\ \frac{\not{19}a\not{b}}{\textcolor{red}{\not{19}\not{b}}}\stackrel{?}{= }\frac{a}{1} \\ \downarrow\\ \boxed{\frac{a}{1}\stackrel{!}{= }\frac{a}{1} }

therefore this choice is indeed correct.

In other words - the correct answer is answer D.

Answer

19b 19b

Exercise #5

Complete the corresponding expression for the denominator

27ab?=3ab \frac{27ab}{\text{?}}=3ab

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's examine the problem, first we'll write the expression on the right side as a fraction (using the fact that dividing a number by 1 does not change its value):

27ab?=3ab↓27ab?=3ab1 \frac{27ab}{\text{?}}=3ab\\ \downarrow\\ \frac{27ab}{\text{?}}=\frac{3ab}{1}

Now let's think logically, and remember the fraction reduction operation,

Note that both in the numerator of the expression on the right side and in the numerator of the expression on the left side exists the expression ab ab , therefore in the expression we are looking for there are no variables (since we are not interested in reducing them from the expression in the numerator on the left side),

Next, we ask which number was chosen to put in the denominator of the expression on the left side so that its reduction with the number 27 yields the number 3, the answer to this is of course - the number 9,

Because:

27=9β‹…3 27=9\cdot 3

Let's verify that this choice indeed gives us the expression on the right side:

27ab?=3ab1↓2ΜΈ7ab9ΜΈ=?3ab1↓3ab1=!3ab1 \frac{27ab}{\text{?}}=\frac{3ab}{1} \\ \downarrow\\ \frac{\not{27}ab}{\textcolor{red}{\not{9}}}\stackrel{?}{= }\frac{3ab}{1} \\ \downarrow\\ \boxed{\frac{3ab}{1}\stackrel{!}{= }\frac{3ab}{1} }

Therefore this choice is indeed correct.

In other words - the correct answer is answer A.

Answer

9 9

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