SIMPLIFYING

RATIONAL
ALGEBRAIC
EXPRESSIONS
SIMPLIFYING
RATIONAL
ALGEBRAIC are expression obtained by combining constants
and/or variables using the arithmetic operators
EXPRESSIONS +, -, *, and /.
any combination of symbols, numerals, or operators.

𝑛
these are algebraic expressions of the form , where n and d are
𝑑
polynomials and 𝑑 ≠ 0.
EXAMPLES OF RATIONAL ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS:
3 𝑥 𝑦 2 + 3𝑦 − 2 −7
, , , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 3
5 𝑥−1 4−𝑦 𝑧 −8
 𝑥
A negative denominator 𝑥
is avoided. For instance, the expression is
−𝑥 −2
preferably written as− 2 or 2 .
3 3 3
The expression 2 can be written as − or , since
−(1−𝑥 ) (1−𝑥 2 ) 2
(𝑥 −1)
− 1 − 𝑥 2 = −1 + 𝑥 2 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 2 − 1.
Using the principles in multiplication and division of signed numbers,
the following statements become obvious:

1. The value of a fraction is not changed whenever two of the three

signs associated with the fraction are changed. Thus,
𝑛 −𝑛 𝑛
− = = .
𝑑 𝑑 −𝑑
2. Simplifying a rational expression means modifying it to a simpler or
more desirable form. It involves the removal of all common factors in
the numerator and denominator.

3. A rational expression is said to be in lowest terms when its numerator

and denominator have no common factors other than 1. In reducing a
rational expression to lowest terms, divide both the terms of the rational
expression by the greatest common factor (GCF) of the terms.

15𝑥 3 𝑦 4 𝑧
EXAMPLE 1. Reduce to its lowest terms.
12𝑤𝑥 2 𝑦 5

18𝑥 2 −12𝑥
EXAMPLE 2. Reduce to its lowest terms.
12𝑥
Below is a common error that must be avoided:
18𝑥 2 − 12𝑥
12𝑥 = 18𝑥 2 − 1

Note that the term -12x in the numerator cannot be canceled with 12x
in the denominator, since -12x is not a factor. It is a term. Remember
that only the factors common to both the numerator and denominator
of the rational expression can be cancelled.
𝑦 2 −81
EXAMPLE 3. Reduce to its lowest terms.
𝑦−9
3𝑥 2 +7𝑥−6
EXAMPLE 4. Reduce to its lowest terms.
𝑥 2 +𝑥−6
𝑥 2 −𝑥−6
EXAMPLE 5. Reduce to its lowest terms.
𝑥 2 −9