Rational Expressions - Simplifying, Multiplying and Dividing

Today we worked on

• Simplifying Rational expressions - similar to reducing fractions by dividing by the same value into all terms of BOTH the numerator and denominator
• Creating equivalent expressions - either multiplying or dividing numerator AND denominator by the same value
• Multiplying rational expressions - similar to multiplying fractions 
• (num x num over denom x denom)
• Dividing rational expressions - similar to dividing fractions
• division becomes multiplication
• invert 2nd fraction (or rational expression)
• NPV's - Non permissable values - values such that when used produce a denominator of 0
• check all denominators from the ORIGINAL expressions
• Check denominators of second fraction after division (numerator of 2nd fraction becomes denominator after inverting it)

Class notes below

Equivalent rational expressions

Simplifying Rational Expressions

Meaning of NPV's

Multiplying Rational Expressions

Dividing Rational Expressions