Multiplication and Division of Algebraic Fractions

๐Ÿ†Practice factorization and algebraic fractions

Multiplication and Division Operations in Algebraic Fractions

When we want to multiply or divide algebraic fractions, we will use the same tools that we use for the multiplication or division of common fractions with some small differences.

Steps to carry out for the multiplication of algebraic fractions 1 1 :

  • Let's try to extract the common factor.
    This can be the variable or any free number.
  • If this is not enough, we will factorize with short multiplication formulas or with trinomials.
  • Let's find the solution set.
    • How is the solution set found?
      We will make all the denominators we have equal to 0 0 and find the solution.
      The solution set will be X X : different from what causes our denominator to equal zero.
  • Let's simplify the fractions with determination.
  • Multiply numerator by numerator and denominator by denominator as in any fraction.
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Test yourself on factorization and algebraic fractions!

Determine if the simplification shown below is correct:

\( \frac{7}{7\cdot8}=8 \)

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Steps to carry out for the division of algebraic fractions 2 2 :

  • We will convert the division exercise into a multiplication one, as we do with common fractions.
    How will we do it correctly?
    We will leave the first fraction as it is, change the division sign to a multiplication sign, and invert the fraction that appears after the sign. That is, numerator instead of denominator and denominator instead of numerator.
  • We will act according to the rules of multiplication of algebraic fractions:
    • Let's try to extract the common factor.
      This can be the unknown or any free number.
    • If this is not enough, we will factorize using short multiplication formulas and with trinomials.
    • Let's find the solution set.
      • How is the solution set found?
        We will make all the denominators we have equal to 0 0 and find the solution.
        The solution set will be X X : different from what causes our denominator to equal zero.
    • Let's simplify the fractions with determination.
    • Multiply numerator by numerator and denominator by denominator as in any fraction.

Let's look at an example of multiplying algebraic fractions

x+2x+3ร—3x+9x2โˆ’4=\frac{x+2}{x+3}\times \frac{3x+9}{x^2-4}=

Let's try to factorize by extracting the common factor and with the shortcut multiplication formulas, and we will obtain:
x+2x+3ร—3(x+3)(xโˆ’2)(x+2=\frac{x+2}{x+3}\times \frac{3(x+3)}{(x-2)(x+2}=

Let's find the solution set:

xโ‰ โˆ’3,2,โˆ’2xโ‰ -3,2,-2

Let's reduce the fractions and we will obtain:

Let's see an example of multiplying algebraic fractions

1ร—3(xโˆ’2)=1\times \frac{3}{(x-2)}=
Multiply and it will give us:
3xโˆ’2\frac{3}{x-2}


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Example of Division of Algebraic Fractions

x2โˆ’8x+15x2โˆ’3x+2:x2โˆ’9xโˆ’1=\frac{x^2-8x+15}{x^2-3x+2}:\frac{x^2-9}{x-1}=

Let's convert the division exercise into a multiplication one:

x2โˆ’8x+15x2โˆ’3x+2ร—xโˆ’1x2โˆ’9=\frac{x^2-8x+15}{x^2-3x+2}\times \frac{x-1}{x^{2-9}}=
Now, let's factor and we will get:
(xโˆ’5)(xโˆ’3)(xโˆ’2)(xโˆ’1)ร—xโˆ’1(xโˆ’3)(x+3)=\frac{(x-5)(x-3)}{(x-2)(x-1)}\times \frac{x-1}{(x-3)(x+3)}=
Let's find the solution set:
xโ‰ 2,1,3,โˆ’3xโ‰ 2,1,3,-3

Let's simplify, we will get:

Example of algebraic fractions division

xโˆ’5xโˆ’2ร—1x+3\frac{x-5}{x-2}\times \frac{1}{x+3}

Let's multiply and it will give us:
xโˆ’5(xโˆ’2)(x+3)\frac{x-5}{(x-2)(x+3)}



Examples and exercises with solutions for multiplication and division of algebraic fractions

Exercise #1

Determine if the simplification shown below is correct:

77โ‹…8=8 \frac{7}{7\cdot8}=8

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's consider the fraction and break it down into two multiplication exercises:

77ร—18 \frac{7}{7}\times\frac{1}{8}

We simplify:

1ร—18=18 1\times\frac{1}{8}=\frac{1}{8}

Therefore, the described simplification is false.

Answer

Incorrect

Exercise #2

Determine if the simplification below is correct:

5โ‹…88โ‹…3=53 \frac{5\cdot8}{8\cdot3}=\frac{5}{3}

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's consider the fraction and break it down into two multiplication exercises:

88ร—53 \frac{8}{8}\times\frac{5}{3}

We simplify:

1ร—53=53 1\times\frac{5}{3}=\frac{5}{3}

Answer

Correct

Exercise #3

Complete the corresponding expression for the denominator

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

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

After examining the problem, proceed to 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?=2bโ†“16ab?=2b1 \frac{16ab}{?}=2b \\ \downarrow\\ \frac{16ab}{?}=\frac{2b}{1}

Remember the fraction reduction operation,

In order for the fraction on the left side to be deemed reducible, we want all the terms in its denominator to have a common factor. Additionally, we want to reduce the number 16 in order to obtain the number 2. Furthermore we want to reduce the term a a from the fraction's denominator given that in the expression on the right side it does not appear. Therefore we will choose the expression:

8a 8a

Due to the fact that:

16=8โ‹…2 16=8\cdot 2

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

16ab?=2b1โ†“1ฬธ6aฬธb8ฬธaฬธ=?2b1โ†“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 #4

Identify the field of application of the following fraction:

8โˆ’2+x \frac{8}{-2+x}

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's examine the following expression:

8โˆ’2+x \frac{8}{-2+x}

As we know, the only restriction that applies to division is division by 0, given that no number can be divided into 0 parts. Hence division by 0 is undefined.

Therefore, when we talk about a fraction, where the dividend (the number being divided) is in the numerator, and the divisor (the number we divide by) is in the denominator, the restriction applies only to the denominator, which must be different from 0,

In the given expression:

8โˆ’2+x \frac{8}{-2+x}

As stated, the restriction applies to the fraction's denominator only,

Therefore, in order for the given expression (the fraction - in this case) to be defined, we require that the expression in its denominator - does not equal zero, in other words:

โˆ’2+xโ‰ 0 -2+x\neq0

We will solve this inequality, which is a point inequality of first degree, in the same way we solve a first-degree equation, meaning - we isolate the variable on one side, by moving terms (and dividing both sides of the inequality by its coefficient if needed):

โˆ’2+xโ‰ 0xโ‰ 2 -2+x\neq0 \\ \boxed{x\neq 2}

Therefore, the domain (definition domain) of the given expression is:

xโ‰ 2 x\neq 2

(This means that if we substitute any number different from 2 2 for x, the expression will remain well-defined),

Therefore, the correct answer is answer C.

Note:

In a general form - solving an inequality of this form, meaning, a non-graphical, but point inequality - that uses the โ‰  \neq sign and not the inequality signs: ,>,<,โ‰ฅ,โ‰ค, ,>,\hspace{2pt}<,\hspace{2pt}\geq,\hspace{2pt}\leq,\hspace{2pt} is identical in every way to an equation and therefore is solved in the same way and all rules used to solve an equation of any type are identical for it as well.

Answer

xโ‰ 2 x\neq2

Exercise #5

Identify the field of application of the following fraction:

3x+2 \frac{3}{x+2}

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's examine the given expression:

3x+2 \frac{3}{x+2}

As we know, the only restriction that applies to division is division by 0, since no number can be divided into 0 parts. Hence division by 0 is undefined.

Therefore, when we talk about a fraction, where the dividend (the number being divided) is in the numerator, and the divisor (the number we divide by) is in the denominator, the restriction applies only to the denominator, which must be different from 0,

In the given expression:

3x+2 \frac{3}{x+2}

As stated, the restriction applies to the fraction's denominator only,

Therefore, in order for the given expression (the fraction - in this case) to be defined, we require that the expression in its denominator - does not equal zero, meaning we require that:

x+2โ‰ 0 x+2\neq0

We will solve this inequality, which is a point inequality of first degree, in the same way we solve a first-degree equation, meaning - we isolate the variable on one side, by moving terms (and dividing both sides of the inequality by its coefficient if needed):

x+2โ‰ 0xโ‰ โˆ’2 x+2\neq0 \\ \boxed{x\neq -2}

Therefore, the domain (definition domain) of the given expression is:

xโ‰ โˆ’2 x\neq -2

(This means that if we substitute for the variable x any number different from(โˆ’2) (-2) the expression will remain well-defined),

Therefore, the correct answer is answer D.

Note:

In general - solving an inequality of this form, meaning, a non-linear, but point inequality - that uses the โ‰  \neq sign and not the inequality signs: ,>,<,โ‰ฅ,โ‰ค, ,>,\hspace{2pt}<,\hspace{2pt}\geq,\hspace{2pt}\leq,\hspace{2pt} is identical in every aspect to an equation and therefore is solved in the same way and all rules used to solve an equation of any type are identical for it as well.

Answer

xโ‰ โˆ’2 x\neq-2

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