CK-12-Pre-Calculus Concepts

2.4. Rational Expressions http://www.ck12.org

2.4 Rational Expressions

Here you will add, subtract, multiply and divide rational expressions in order to help you solve and graph rational
expressions in the future.
A rational expression is a ratio just like a fraction. Instead of a ratio between numbers, a rational expression is a
ratio between two expressions. One driving question to ask is:
Are the rules for simplifying and operating on rational expressions are the same as the rules for simplifying and
operating on fractions?

Watch This

MEDIA

Click image to the left for use the URL below.

URL: http://www.ck12.org/flx/render/embeddedobject/60710

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxbWaDUrYls James Sousa: Simplifying Rational Expressions

MEDIA

Click image to the left for use the URL below.

URL: http://www.ck12.org/flx/render/embeddedobject/60712

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mcwdhoRSOc James Sousa: Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions

MEDIA

Click image to the left for use the URL below.

URL: http://www.ck12.org/flx/render/embeddedobject/60714

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ6qOMno4-g James Sousa: Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions

Guidance

A rational expression is a ratio of two polynomial expressions. When simplifying or operating on rational expres-
sions, it is vital that each polynomial be fully factored. Once all expressions are factored, identical factors in the