Module 3

Rational Algebraic Expressions

What this module is about

Rational expressions represent real numbers, the properties of real numbers can
be used to find the product and quotient of two rational expressions.

This module is about multiplication and division of rational expressions. As you

go over the exercises, you will develop skills in finding the product and quotient of the
given rational expressions. You will also recall some concepts on the laws of
exponents, multiplication and factoring of polynomials.

What you are expected to learn

This module is designed for you to:

1. Recall some laws of exponents

2. Recall multiplication of polynomials
3. Recall factoring of polynomials
4. Multiply rational expressions
5. Divide rational expressions

How much do you know

1. Give the GCF of _2x – 4y _ .

x – 2y

2. Express #1 in simplest form.

a. 1 b. 2 c. x – 2 d. 2 – y

3. Factor the numerator of rational expression _18a2 + 27a + 10_.

3a + 2

4. Simplify the rational expression in #3.

a. a2 – 5 b. a(a – 5) c. 6a + 5 d. 6a + 2

5. Find the product of 2a2d  9b2c .

1
 3bc 16ad2

6. Multiply 4a + 8 and _a – 5 .
a2 – 25 5a + 10

a. __5___ b. _a – 5_ c. __4___ d. _a – 4_
5a + 25 a+5 5a + 25 a+5

7. Find the measure of the area of the rectangle in simplest form.

2x + 4
x

__x3 – 4x___
x2 + 4x + 4

8. Divide: __y_ _ ÷ __y__ .

y+3 y+5

a. _y + 5_ b. _y – 5_ c. _y + 3_ d. _y – 3_
y+3 y+5 y–3 y+5

9. Find the quotient: (3m)2 ÷ 6m3 .

(2p)3 16p2

10. Divide x – y ÷ ____x + y_ _ .

x2 – y2 x2 + 2xy + y2

2
 What you will do

Review 1

Multiplying and Polynomials

Let’s recall how to multiply polynomials using properties of exponents.

For Your Information

Humans grow until they reach physical maturity at about 18

years of age. After that most growth stops, although a person’s
hair and nails will continue to grow throughout his or her life.

Some species of fish grow continually during their life span.

Because of this, some fish may be significantly larger than the average size for their
species.

Think of a world in which humans continue to grow during their entire life span.
How do you imagine life on Earth would be different if humans continued to grow each
year of their lives?
Where w is the
weight, l is the
The rate of growth of fish is length, and a is
much greater when a constant for
measure by weight rather the species.
than by length. We use w =
al3 to best relate the weight
of a fish to its length.

You may recall that in al3 where the base a and the base l are any real
numbers,1 is the exponent of a and 3 is the exponent of l. The exponent indicates how
many times the base is used as a factor.

al3 is an example of monomial.

Let’s recall the definition of monomials:

A monomial is a real number, a variable, or a product of real number and one or

more variables.

Based on the definition 5 is not a monomial because there is a variable in the

denominator. y4

3
 We can also say that 5 is not a polynomial because a polynomial is a monomial
y4
or a sum or difference of monomials.

Based on the definition of rational expression in the past modules 5 is a rational

expression. y4

Let’s again define rational expressions:

A rational expression is an expression that can be written in the form p where p
and q are polynomials, q  0. q

But you need to recall how to multiply polynomials because this same skill will
be used when you multiply rational expressions.

Before we multiply polynomials let’s review some properties of exponents for

multiplication.

Property of Exponents for Multiplication

1. For all real numbers a and all positive integers m and n:

am  an = am+n
In order to use the above property, the monomials must have the same base.

Example 1. Simplify: (2x2y5z)(3x3yz4)

(2x2y5z)(3x3yz4) = (2  3)(x2+3y5+1z1+4)
= 6x5y6z5

2. For all real numbers a and all positive integers m and n:

(am)n = amn

Example 2. Simplify: (2x6)5

(2x6)5 = (25)(x6 5) = 32x30

3. For all real numbers a and b and for all positive integers m:
(ab)m = ambm

Example 3. Simplify: (2xy)4

(2xy)4 = (24)(x4)(y4) = 16x4y4

4. For all real numbers a and b, b  0, and for all positive integers m:
m
a = am
b bm

4
 3
Example 4. Simplify: 2y
x
3
2y = 23y3 = 8y3
x x3 x3

Multiplying Polynomials

Let’s begin by multiplying a monomial by a polynomial.

To multiply a polynomial by a monomial, you will often use the property of

exponents for multiplication: am  an = am+n

Example 1. Multiply –3x2 by x3 – 5x2 + 7x – 1

–3x2 (x3 – 5x2 + 7x – 1) = –3x5 +15x4 – 21x3 + 3x2

Now, let’s multiply two binomials. The distributive property can be used to
multiply two binomials (x + y)(a + b).

To multiply two binomials such as (x + y)(a + b), think of (a + b) as one factor.

Distribute by multiplying both x and y by (a + b). Then use the distributive property a
second time.

(x + y)(a + b) = x(a + b) + y(a + b)

= xa + ab + ya + yb

Try to relate these terms to the steps in the FOIL Method for multiplying two
binomials

To multiply two binomials, find: F O

F  the product of the two FIRST terms
O  the product of the two OUTSIDE terms ( x + y ) ( a + b)
I  the product of the two INSIDE terms
L  the product of the two LAST terms I
L
( x + y ) ( a + b ) = xa + xb + ya + yb
F O I L

Example 2. Multiply (2a + b) by (a + 3b).

(2a + b)(a + 3b) = (2a)(a) + (2a)(3b) + (b)(a) + (b)(3b)

F O I L
2 2
= 2a + 6ab + ab + 3b
= 2a2 + 7ab + 3b2 Combine like terms 6ab + ab

5
 The FOIL method applies only to the multiplication of two binomials. When
multiplying longer polynomials, distribute the terms using either a horizontal or vertical
format.

Example 3. Multiply: (2y + y2 – 3y3)(4y – 5)

Horizontal Format:
(2y + y2 – 3y3)(4y – 5) = (2y + y2 – 3y3)(4y) + (2y + y2 – 3y3)(– 5)
= (8y2 + 4y3 – 12y4) + (–10y – 5y2 + 15y3)
= –10y + 3y2 + 19y3 – 12y4

Vertical Format: it is sometimes helpful to arrange the polynomials in descending order

before multiplying.
– 3y3 + y2 + 2y
4y – 5
15y – 5y2 –10y
3

–12y4 + 4y3 + 8y2 .

–12y4 +19y3 + 3y2 –10y

Multiplying Polynomials : Special Cases

Square of a Binomial: (a + b) 2 or (a – b) 2

 Square the first term a2

 Double the product of the two terms +2ab for (a + b) 2
–2ab for (a – b) 2

Square the last term b2

Write the sum of the three term
(a + b) 2 = a2 + 2ab + b2
(a – b) 2 = a2 – 2ab + b2

Example 1. Simplify : (2a + 3b) 2

(2a + 3b) 2 = 4a2 + 12ab + 9b2

Example 2. Simplify : (3m2 – 11) 2

(3m2 – 11) 2 = 9m4 – 66m2 + 121

Product of the Sum and Difference of the Same Two Terms:

(a + b)(a – b)

 Square the first term a2


Square the last term b2

Write the difference of the two squares (a + b) (a – b) = a2 – b2

6
Example 3. (2r3 + 5) (2r3 – 5)
(2r3 + 5) (2r3 – 5) = 4r6 – 25

Practice Exercise:

Find the product of the following polynomials

1. ( a + 5)(a – 9)
2. ( h + 9)(h + 7)
3. ( 2m + 4)(m + 10)
4. ( 5x – 8)(2x – 3)
5. ( y + 4) 2
6. ( 2t – 2u) 2
7. ( h – 2q)(h + 2q)
8. ( 7m – 4)(7m + 4)
9. ( 5g – 3k)(5g + 3k)
10. ( 2 – 6y2)(2 + 6y2)

Factoring Polynomials

Do you look for products in packages that can be recycled? More and more
people do - because they are aware that “MAY PERA SA BASURA.’

When a product’s packaging is designed, many factors are considered: the

cost of materials, the attractiveness of its design and the convenience of its size. But
today, companies and consumers are increasingly concerned about what happens to a
package and how it affects the environment after being discarded. What factors will you
consider if you are asked to get involved in Waste Segregation Program?

TRIVIA TIME!
How long does trash last in a garbage dump?
In a recent study, newspaper in a 25-year old bundle was readable. It also stated that
glass bottles may take 1 000 000 years to deteriorate.

In Algebra, what do we consider in factoring polynomials ?

First, we you must be able to give the common monomial factor of polynomials which is
actually the greatest common factor (GCF).

Example 1. Factor 8m4n2 + 18m3n2 – 6m2n

The GCF is 2m2n.

8m4n2 + 18m3n2 – 6m2n = 2m2n (4m2n) + 2m2n(9mn) – 2m2n(3)
= 2m2n ( 4m2n + 9mn – 3)
2m2n ( 4m2n + 9mn – 3) is the factored form of 8m4n2 + 18m3n2 – 6m2n.

7
How to factor polynomial in a form x2 + bx + c, where the sign of the last term is
positive?

Factoring a trinomial of the form x2 + bx + c means to express the trinomial as the

product of two binomials of the form (x + a)(x + b).

Example 2. Factor x2 + 7x + 10.

(x + a)(x + b) = x2 + bx + ax + ab

7x 10
The product of the second terms a and b of binomials must be 10 and the sum of
the outer and inner term, bx and ax, must be 7x.

Factors of 10 Possible Binomial Factors Sum of Outer and Inner

Products
1, 10 (x + 1)(x + 10) 1x + 10x = 11x
-1, -10 (x –1)(x –10) -1x – 10x = -11x
2, 5 (x + 2)(x + 5) 2x + 5x = 7x 
-2, -5 (x –2)(x – 5) -2x – 5x = -7x

So, x2 + 7x + 10 = (x + 2)(x + 5).

Example 3. Factor m2 – 5m + 6.

Factors of 6 Possible Binomial Factors Sum of Outer and Inner

Products
1, 6 (m + 1)(m + 6) 1m + 6m = 7m
-1, -6 (m –1)(m –6) -1m – 6m = -7m
2, 3 (m + 2)(m + 3) 2m + 3m = 5m
-2, -3 (m –2)(m – 3) -2m – 3m = -5m 

So, m2 – 5m + 6= (m –2)(m – 3).

Example 4. Factor a2 – 7ab + 12b2.

Factors of Possible Binomial Factors Sum of Outer and Inner

12b2 Products
1b, 12b (a + 1b)(a + 12b) 12ab + 1ab = 13ab
2b, 6b (a + 2b)(a + 6b) 6ab + 2ab = 8ab
3b, 4b (a + 3b)(a + 4b) 4ab + 3ab = 7ab 

So a2 – 7ab + 12b2 = (a + 3b)(a + 4b)

8
Factoring a trinomial of the form x2 + bx + c, where the sign of the last term is
negative.

Lucy made up this riddle for Jackie “ “ I’m thinking of two numbers. The product
of the numbers is -24, and the sum of the numbers is -2.”

Jackie tried a few combinations in her head before coming up with the answer: “
The numbers must be -6 and +4.” Is any other combination possible?

Example 5. Factor x2 + 3x – 10.

Factors of 10 Possible Binomial Factors Sum of Outer and Inner

Products
1, –10 (x + 1)(x – 10) 1x – 10x = –9x
–1, 10 (x –1)(x +10) –1x +10x = 9x
2, –5 (x + 2)(x – 5) 2x – 5x = –3x
–2, 5 (x –2)(x + 5) –2x + 5x = 3x 

So, x2 + 3x – 10 = (x –2)(x + 5).

Example 6. Factor m2 – 5mn – 14n2.

Factors of Possible Binomial Factors Sum of Outer and Inner

– 4n2 Products
1n, –14n (m +1n)(m –14n) 14mn –1mn =13mn
–1n, 14n (m –1n)(m +14n) –14mn +1mn = –13mn
2n, –7n (m +2n)(m –7n) –7mn + 2mn = –5mn 
–2n, 7n (m –2n)(m + 7n) 7mn – 2mn = 5mn

So, m2 – 5mn – 14n2= (m +2n)(m –7n).

Factoring ax2 + bx + c.

When the coefficient of the first term of a trinomial is not 1, the number of
possible binomial factors increases.

Example 7. Factor 2x2 – 3x – 5.

Factors of Factors of Possible Binomial Sum of Outer and Inner

2x2 –5 Factors Products
2x, x –1, 5 (2x – 1)(x + 5) 10x –1x = 9x
(2x + 5)(x – 1) –2x + 5x = 3x
1, –5 (2x +1)(x – 5) –10x +1x = –9x
(2x – 5)(x + 1) 2x – 5x = –3x 

So, 2x2 – 3x – 5 = (2x – 5)(x + 1).

9
Example 8. Factor 6x2 + 19x + 3.

Factors of Factors of Possible Binomial Sum of Outer and Inner

6x2 3 Factors Products
3x, 2x 3,1 (3x + 3)(2x + 1) 3x + 6x = 9x
(3x + 1)(2x + 3) 9x + 2x = 11x
6x, x 3,1 (6x + 3)(x + 1) 6x + 3x = 9x
(6x + 1)(x + 3) 18x + x = 19x 
So, 6x2 + 19x + 3 = (6x + 1)(x + 3).

Example 9. Factor 4x2 + 59xy –15y2.

Factors of Factors of Possible Binomial Sum of Outer and Inner

4x2 –15y2 Factors Products
4x, x 3y, –5y (4x + 3y)(x – 5y) –20xy + 3xy = –17xy
–3y, 5y (4x – 3y)(x + 5y) 20xy – 3xy = 17xy
1y, –15y (4x + y)(x –15y) –60xy + xy = – 59xy
–1y, 15y (4x – y)(x +15y) 60xy – xy = 59xy 

So, 4x2 + 59xy –15y2= (4x – y)(x +15y).

Practice Exercise

Factor the following polynomials:

.
1. 2m3y – 12m2y4
2. 33w3y2 + 11w2y2
3. 9cd4 + 6c2d2 – 3c3d
4. r2 + 6r + 8
5. c2 + 20c + 91
6. n4 – 8n2 + 12
7. x2 + 4x – 5
8. b2 – b – 56
9. k2 – 13k – 30
10. w2 – 2wz – 8z2
11. p2 – 11px – 80x2
12. 3x2 – 22x – 16
13. 2m2 + 7m + 5
14. 2b2 + 9b – 11
15. 4c2 – 4c – 3

10
 Factoring: Special Cases

When you square a binomial, the product is called a perfect square trinomial.
(x + 4) 2 = (x + 4)(x + 4) = x2 + 8x + 16

square of the 1st term twice the product square of the last term
of the two terms

In general, polynomials that are perfect square trinomials factor as follows:

x2 + 2xy + y2 = (x + y)(x + y) = (x + y) 2
x2 – 2xy + y2 = (x – y)(x – y) = (x – y) 2

Example 10. Factor 36p4 + 36p2y + 9y2.

You must first identify if the polynomial is a perfect square trinomial before you
apply the rule.

36p4 + 36p2y + 9y2 = (6p2) 2 + 2(6p2)(3y) + (3y) 2

= (6p2 + 3y)(6p2 + 3y) or (6p2 + 3y) 2

When you multiply binomials that are the sum and a difference of the same two
numbers, the product is a difference of two squares.

( x + 9)(x – 9) = (x) 2 – (9) 2 = x2 – 81

square of the 1st term square of the last term

x2 – 81 is a difference of two squares.

You are now ready to multiply rational expressions.

Lesson 1

Multiplying Rational Expressions

When you multiply rational numbers, you look for common factors to simplify the
product or to simplify the multiplication.

Examples: Find the product of 2 and 9

3 10

1 3 1 3
2 9 =2 9= 3 or 2 9 =2  9= 3
3 10 3  10 5 3 10 10 3 5
1 5 5 1

11
Simplify: 15a4b
3a3
5
15a4b = 15a4b = 5b
3a3 3a5 a
a

The rule for multiplying rational expressions is similar to the rule for multiplying
rational numbers.

Multiplication of Rational Expression

If P and R are rational expression with Q  0 and S  0, then P  R = P  R or PR
Q S Q S Q S QS

To make your work simpler, you may assume that all denominators in the
following exercises do not equal zero.

Example 1. Find the product of m + y and m2 _

2m (m + y) 2

m+y  m2 _ = (m + y)m2_ = (m + y) m  m_ = __m___

2m (m + y) 2 2m(m + y) 2 2m(m + y) (m + y) 2(m + y)

Take note that we factor m2 and (m + y) 2 and use the fundamental property of
rational expressions to write the product in lowest terms.

Fundamental Property of Rational Expressions states that

If _P_ is a rational expression and if K represents any rational expression, with
Q
K  0, then PK = _P .
QK Q
This property is based on the identity property of multiplication, since
PK = _P  K = P  1 = P
QK Q K Q Q

Example 2. Find the product of _x + 5_ and ___12x2 ____

3x x 2 + 7x + 10

_x + 5_  ___12x2 ____ = _x + 5_  __4x _3x___

3x x 2 + 7x + 10 3x (x + 5) (x + 2)

= __4x__
x+2

12
Example 3. Find the product of _m2 + 3m__ and m2 – 5m_+ 4
m2 – 3m – 4 m 2 + 2m – 3

First factor the numerators and denominators whenever possible. Then write the
product in lowest terms.

_m2 + 3m__  m2 – 5m_+ 4 = __m (m + 3)__  (m – 4)(m – 1)_

m2 – 3m – 4 m 2 + 2m – 3 (m – 4)(m + 1) (m + 3) ( m – 1)

= __m__
m+1

Example 4. Find the product of __x2 – x – 6 _ and x2 + 7x + 12_

9 – x2 x2 + 4x + 4

__x2 – x – 6 _  x2 + 7x + 12_ = _(x – 3)(x + 2)_  (x + 3)(x + 4)

9 – x2 x2 + 4x + 4 – (x – 3)(x + 3) (x + 2)(x + 2)

Note that 9 – x2 = (3 – x)(3 + x) or – (x – 3)(x + 3)

__x2 – x – 6 _  x2 + 7x + 12_ = __x + 4_ = – _x + 4_

9 – x2 x2 + 4x + 4 – (x + 2) x+2

Try this out

A. Find each product. Assume that no denominator is equal to zero.

1. _a4b_  _c_ 6. _5n – 5  __9__

b3c a3 3 n–1

2. 10n3  12n3x9 7. – ( 2a + 7c)  ___36__

6x7 25n5x5 6 –7c – 2a

3. _2a_ 3
 _5b3 8. _a2 – b2  __16__
b 16a 4 a–b

4. _8m_ _3_ 2
9. _ 3  _(x – y) 2
m2 2c x–y 6

5. _7x3y5_  _44z5_ 10. m2 – n 2  _7mn_

11z2 21x7y2 m–n m+n

13
B. Multiply. Assume that no denominator is equal to zero.

1. _x2 – 16_  _x + 4_ 6. _ b + a  _a2 – b2_

8x x–4 b–a 2a

2. _a2 – b2_  _a – 1_ 7. 3mn2 – 3m_  __3m__

a2 – 1 a–b n n2 –1

3. _3k + 9_  __k2__ 8. _ ___x__ _  _2x + 10_

k k2 – 9 x2 + 8x + 15 x2

4. _3m – 6 _  _m + 3__ 9. _ x – 5 _  __x – 2__

m2 – 9 m2 – 2m x2 – 7x + 10 3

5. _x2 – y2_  __x__ 10. _ b2 + 20 b + 99  ____b + 7___

y x–y b+9 b 2 + 12b + 11

C. Find the measure of the area of the rectangle in simplest form

1.
_x + 7_
x2 – 25

x2 + 10x + 25
x2 – 49

2.
2x + 3
x2

2x + 3
x2

3. x2 – 15x + 50  x2 – 11x + 24
x2 – 9x + 20 x2 – 18x + 80

4. y2 + 3y3  ___2y + y2 __
y2 – 4 y + 4y2 + 3y3

14
 Lesson 2

Dividing Rational Expressions

You should recall that two numbers whose product is 1 are called multiplicative
inverses or reciprocals.

To find the quotient of two fractions, you multiply by the reciprocal of the divisor.

2÷3=2 4=8
3 4 3 3 9

You can use the same method to divide rational expressions.

Division of Rational Expression

If P and R are rational expression with Q  0 and S  0, then P ÷ R = P  S or PS
Q S Q S Q R QR

Example 1. Divide: 5_ ÷ _y_

x z

_5_ ÷ _y_ = _5_  _z_ = _5z_

x z x y xy

Example 2. Divide: _5__ ÷ _ z__

z+3 z–6

_5__ ÷ _ z__ = __5__  _z – 6 _

z+3 z–6 z+3 z

= _5 (z – 6 )_= __5z – 30 _
z (z + 3) z2 + 3z

Example 3. (5y)2_ ÷ _20y3_

(2x)3 32x2

(5y)2_ ÷ _20y3_ = (5y)2_  _32x2 _

(2x)3 32x2 (2x)3 20y3

5 4 1
= 25y _  _32x2 = 5_
2

8x3 20y3 xy
x 4 y

15
Example 4. Divide _2x__ by (x – 1).
x +1

_2x__ ÷ (x – 1) = _2x__  _ 1__

x +1 x +1 x–1

= ____2x__ __
(x +1)(x – 1)

= __2x __
x2 – 1

Example 5. ___x2 – 4___ ÷ _(x + 2)(x + 3)_

(x – 2 )(x + 3) 2x

___x2 – 4___ ÷ _(x + 2)(x + 3)_ = ___x2 – 4___  _ 2x_____

(x – 2 )(x + 3) 2x (x – 2 )(x + 3) (x + 2 )(x + 3)

Be sure that all numerators and denominators are factored.

= _(x + 2)(x – 2)  _ 2x_____

(x – 2 )(x + 3) (x + 2 )(x + 3)

= ___2x___
(x + 3) 2

Example 6. _m2 – 4_ ÷ _2m + 4m_

m2 – 1 1–m

_m2 – 4_ ÷ _2m + 4m_ = _m2 – 4_  __1 – m__

m2 – 1 1–m m2 – 1 2m + 4m

= _(m + 2)(m – 2)_  __1 – m__

(m + 1)(m – 1) 2m(m + 2)

since 1 – m = – 1, then
m–1 1 -1
= _(m + 2)(m – 2)_  __1 – m__
(m + 1)(m – 1) 2m(m + 2)
1

= _–1(m – 2)_ = __2 – m__

2m(m + 1) 2m(m + 1)

Try this out

16
Answer the following:

A. Divide and express your answer in lowest term if necessary.

1. 3 ÷ _2_ 6. _ 3s ÷ __6s2__
p p s+2 2s2 + 4s

2. _3r2_ ÷ _8r4_ 7. _a + b ÷ __(a+ b)2_

9r3 6r5 2 (2r)2

3. _25m10 ÷ _15m6_ 8. _ 5m + 25 ÷ _6m + 30_

9m5 20m4 10 12

4. _12n2_ ÷ _9n3_ 9. _ 2 – y ÷ _y – 2 _
(4n)3 32n4 8 12y

5. –6x4 ÷ _(2x2)2_ 10. 2r + 2p ÷ _r2 + rp_

3x5 –4 8z 72

B. Divide and express your answer in lowest term if necessary.

1. _ _ 3 _ ÷ __– 12 _
b2 – 5b + 6 b2 – b – 2

2. 4y + 12_ ÷ __y2 – 9 __
2y – 10 y2 – y – 20

3. _9(y – 4)2_ ÷ _3(y – 4)_

8(z + 3)2 16(z + 3)

4. _ x2 – 16 ÷ _x – 4_
x+3 x2 – 9

5. _ m2 – 16 ÷_– 4 – m _
4–m –4+m

6. _6r – 18_ ÷ _4r – 12_

3r2 + 2r – 8 12r –16

7. _k2 – k – 6 _ ÷ _k2 + 2k – 3 _
k2 + k – 12 k2 + 3k – 4

8. _y2 + y – 2 ÷ _y + 2_
y2 + 3y – 4 y+3

9. _m2 + 3m + 2 _ ÷ _m2 + 5m + 6_

17
 m2 + 5m + 4 m2 + 10m + 24

10. _n2 + 2np – 3p2_ ÷ _n2 + 4np + 3p2_

n2 – 3mp + 2p2 n2 + 2np – 8p2

C. Divide and write your answer in lowest term.

1. _2k2 + 3k – 2 _ ÷ _k2 + k – 2 _
6k2 – 7k + 2 4k2 – 5k +1

2. _2m2 – 5m – 12 _ ÷ __4m2 – 9_ _
m2 – 10m + 24 m2 – 9m +18

3. _r2 + rs – 12s2_ ÷ _r2 – 2rs – 3s2_

r2 – rs – 20s2 r2 + rs – 30s2

4. _(x + 1)3 (x + 4)_ ÷ _x2 + 2x + 1 _

x2 + 5x + 4 x2 + 3x + 2

5. _(q – 3)4 (q + 2)_ ÷ _q2 – 6q + 9 _

q2 + 3q + 2 q2 + 4q + 4

Let’s Summarize

Rational expression is the quotient of two polynomials with denominator not

equal to zero.

The fundamental property of rational expressions permits us to write a

rational expression in lowest terms, in which numerator and denominator have no
common factor other than 1.

Fundamental Property of Rational Expressions states that

If _P_ is a rational expression and if K represents any rational expression, with

Q
K  0, then PK = _P .
QK Q

This property is based on the identity property of multiplication, since

18
 PK = _P  K = P  1 = P
QK Q K Q Q

Multiplying Rational Expressions:

If P and R are rational expression with Q  0 and S  0, then P  R = P  R or PR

Q S Q S Q S QS

Dividing Rational Expressions:

If P and R are rational expression with Q  0 and S  0, then P ÷ R = P  S or PS

Q S Q S Q R QR

19
 What have you learned

Perform the given operation. Write your answer in lowest term. Assume that no
denominator is equal to zero.

1. In the rational expressions ____x + y___ , give the factors of the

denominator. x2 + 3xy + 2y2

a. (x – y)(x + 2y) c. (x + y)(x + 2y)

b. (x + y)(x – 2y) d. (x – y)(x – 2y)

2. The simplified form of #1 is

a. __1___ b. __1___ c. __1___ d. __1___

x+y x + 2y x–y x – 2y

3. Simplify _z2 – 3z_ .

z–3

4. Find the product of 7  _a2 .

9 b

5. Find the product of 5x2y  _12a2b_ .

8ab 25x

6. Multiply x2 + x – 12 and __x + 4__.

x+2 x2 – x – 6

7. Multiply b2 + 19b + 84 and _ __b2 – 9___ .

b–3 b2 + 15b + 36

8. Find the quotient of p4 ÷ _–(p2) 3_ .

2q 4q

9. Divide: 7a2b __ ÷ _ ___ 3a ___ .

x2 + x – 30 x2 + 15x + 54

10. Divide: m2 + 4m – 21 ÷ _____m2 – 9___ .

m2 + 8m + 15 m2 + 12m + 35

20
 Answer Key

How much do you know

1. x – 2y
2. b. 2
3. 18a2 + 27a + 10 = (3a + 2)(6a + 5)
4. c. 6a + 5
5. 3ab
8d
6. c. __4___
5a + 25

7. 2x + 4  __x3 – 4x___ = 2(x + 2)  __x (x + 2)(x – 2)__

x x2 + 4x + 4 x (x + 2)(x + 2)

= 2(x – 2) square units

8. a. _y + 5_
y+3

9. 9m2  16p2 = _3_

8p3 6m3 mp

10. ___x – y__  _(x + y)(x + y) = 1

(x – y)(x + y) x+y

Review 1

Practice Exercises
1. a2 – 4a – 45
2. h2 + 16h + 63
3. 2m2 + 24m + 40
4. 10x2 – 31x + 24
5. y2 + 8y + 16
6. 4t2 – 8tu + 4u2
7. h2 – 4q2
8. 49m2 – 16
9. 25g2 – 9k2
10. 4 – 36y4

21
Review 2

Practice Exercises
1. 2m2y ( m – 6y3)
2. 11w2y2 (3w + 1)
3. 3cd ( 3d3 + 2cd – c2)
4. (r + 2)(r + 4)
5. (c + 13)(c + 7)
6. (n2 – 2)(n2 – 6)
7. (x – 1)(x + 5)
8. (b – 8)(b + 7)
9. (k + 2)(k – 15)
10. (w + 4z)(w – 2z)
11. (p + 5x)(p – 16x)
12. (3x + 2)(x – 8)
13. (2m + 5)(2m + 1)
14. (2b + 11)(b – 1)
15. (2c – 3)(2c + 1)

Lesson 1
Try this out

1. _a_ 6. 15
b2
2. 4n 7. 6
5x3

3. _5a2 8. 4(a + b)
2
4. _18_ 9. x – y
mc2 2

5. _4y3z3_ 10. 7mn

3x4

B.
1. _(x + 4)(x – 4)(x + 4)_ = (x + 4) 2
8x ( x – 4) 8x

22
2. _(a – b)(a+b)(a – 1)_ = a + b
(a – b)(a +1)(a – 1) a +1

3. _3(k + 3)_  ____k2_____ = _3k_

k (k + 3)(k – 3) k – 3

4. ____3(m – 2)(m + 3)____ = ___3___

m(m – 2)(m + 3)(m – 3) m(m – 3)

5. _x(x + y)(x – y)_ = _x(x + y)_

y (x – y) y

6. _(b + a)(b + a)(a – b)_ = (b + a) 2 or – (b + a) 2

– 2a(a – b) – 2a 2a

Take note that (b – a) = – (a – b)

7. 3m(n – 1)(n + 1)(3m)_ = 9m2

n(n – 1)(n + 1) n

8. ___2x (x + 5)___ = ___2__

x2 (x + 3)(x + 5) x(x + 3)

9. _(x – 5)(x – 2)__ = _1_

3(x – 5)(x – 2) 3

10. _(b + 11)(b + 9)(b + 7)_ = _b + 7_

(b + 11)(b + 9)(b + 1) b+1

C.
1. _ (x + 7)(x + 5)(x + 5) = ___x + 5____
(x + 7)(x – 7)(x + 5)(x – 5) (x – 7)(x – 5)

2. _(2x + 3) 2_
x4

3. _(x – 5)(x – 10)(x – 8)(x – 3)_ = x – 3

(x – 5)(x – 4)(x – 8)(x – 10) x–4

4. _y2(1 + 3y)___  __y(2 + y)____

(y – 2)(y + 2) y(1 + 4y + 3y2)

____y3(1 + 3y)(2 + y)_______ = ____y2_____

y (y – 2)(y + 2)(3y + 1)(y + 1) (y – 2)(y + 1)

23
A.
1. 3_ 6. _ 3s  _2s(s + 2)_ = 1
2 s+2 6s2

2. _1__ 7. _a + b  _ 4r2__ = _ 2r2__

4 2 (a+ b)2 a+b

3. _100m3_ 8. _5(m + 5)  __12____ = 1

27 10 6(m + 5)

4. _2_ 9. Note that 2 – y = – (y – 2)

3 Ans. –3y
2
5. 2_ 10. 18_
x5 rz

B.
1. _b + 1_ 6. __6__
-4(b -3) r+2

2. 2(y + 4)_ 7. _k + 2_
y–3 k+3

3. _6(y – 4)_ 8. _y + 3_
z+3 y+4

4. (x + 4)(x – 3) 9. _m + 2_
m+1

5. m – 4 10. _n + 4p_
n+p

C.
1. _(2k – 1)(k + 2)(4k – 1)(k – 1) = _4k – 1_
(2k – 1)(3k – 2)(k + 2)(k – 1) 3k – 2

2. _(2m + 3)(m – 4)(m + 6)(m – 3)_ = _m – 3_

(m – 6)(m – 4)(2m – 3)(2m + 3) 2m – 3

3. _(r + 4s)(r – 3s)(r – 5s)(r + 6s)_ = _r + 6s_

(r – 5s)(r + 4s)(r – 3s)(r + 5) r+s

4. _(x + 1) (x + 4)(x + 2)(x + 1)_ = (x + 2)(x + 1)

(x + 4)(x + 1)(x + 1)2

24
 5. _(q – 3)4 (q + 2)(q + 2)(q + 2)_ = _(q – 3)2 (q + 2)2 _
(q + 2)(q + 1)(q – 3)(q – 3) q+1

What have you learned

1. c 4. _7a2
2. b 9b
3. z 5. 3axy
10

6. (x + 4)2 (x – 3) = (x + 4)2
(x + 2)2 (x – 3) (x + 2)2

7. (b + 12)(b + 7)(b – 3)(b + 3) = b + 7

(b – 3)(b + 12)(b + 3)

8. __2_ or – _2_
– p2 p2

9. _7a2 b(x + 9)(x + 6) = 7ab(x + 9)

3a (x + 6) (x – 5) 3(x – 5)

10. _(m + 7)2 (m – 3)(m + 5) = (m + 7)2

(m + 3)2 (m – 3)(m + 5) (m + 3)2

25