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Pythagoras' Theorem 1
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Multiplication by 111
Adding Fractions
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Multiplication by 50
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Simple Trinomials as Products of Binomials
Writing Linear Equations in Slope-Intercept Form
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Scientific Notation
Multiplying Rational Expressions
Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions With Unlike Denominators
Multiplication by 25
Decimals to Fractions
Solving Quadratic Equations by Completing the Square
Quotient Rule for Exponents
Simplifying Square Roots
Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions
Independent, Inconsistent, and Dependent Systems of Equations
Slopes
Graphing Lines in the Coordinate Plane
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Zero Power Property of Exponents
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Test for Factorability for Quadratic Trinomials
Trinomial Squares
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Solving Linear Equations Containing Fractions
Multiplying by 125
Exponent Properties
Multiplying Fractions
Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions With the Same Denominator
Quadratic Expressions - Completing Squares
Adding and Subtracting Mixed Numbers with Different Denominators
Solving a Formula for a Given Variable
Factoring Trinomials
Multiplying and Dividing Fractions
Multiplying and Dividing Complex Numbers in Polar Form
Power Equations and their Graphs
Solving Linear Systems of Equations by Substitution
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Properties of Rational Exponents
Power of a Product and Power of a Quotient
Factoring Differences of Perfect Squares
Dividing Fractions
Factoring a Polynomial by Finding the GCF
Graphing Linear Equations
Steps in Factoring
Multiplication Property of Exponents
Solving Systems of Linear Equations in Three Variables
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Finding the GCF of a Set of Monomials
 
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Multiplying Rational Expressions

Objective Learn to multiply rational expressions.

In this lesson, you will learn to multiply rational expressions. The techniques are completely analogous to multiplying rational numbers (fractions). Keep this analogy in mind throughout the entire lesson.

 

Multiplying Rational Numbers

Remember that to multiply rational numbers, multiply the numerators and then divide by the product of the denominators. Then simplify by dividing by the common factors of the numerator and the denominator.

 

Example 1

Find .

Solution

The GCF of the numerator and the denominator is 6.
Cancel the GCF.

An alternative way to approach this problem is to divide by the common factors before multiplying.

 

Multiplying Rational Expressions

Multiplying rational expressions is done the same way. Multiply the numerators, and then divide the product by the product of the denominators. Then simplify by dividing the common factors of the numerator and the denominator.

 

Example 2

Find .

Solution

Method 1:

Cancel the GCF of the numerator and the denominator, 6yz.

Now just like with multiplying fractions, there is an alternative method. Namely, divide by the common factors before multiplying.

Method 2:

There are some problems that require factoring the polynomials in order to find the GCF of the numerator and denominator.

 

Example 3

Find .

Solution

To simplify, factor the quadratic expressions in the numerator and then cancel the common factors of the numerator and the denominator.

For practice, do one more example.

 

Example 4

Find .

Solution

First, find the common factors. To do this, factor the quadratic expression in the denominator.

Cancel the common factors.

We therefore conclude that

This technique is very important because it reinforces prior techniques like factoring and multiplication of rational numbers.

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