Simplifying Rational Expressions

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What is a rational expression?

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A rational expression is a fraction where the numerator and the denominator are both polynomials.

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How do you simplify a rational expression?

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To simplify a rational expression, factor both the numerator and the denominator and then cancel any common factors.

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What does it mean to cancel in a rational expression?

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Cancelling means removing common factors from the numerator and denominator to simplify the expression.

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The first step is to factor both the numerator and the denominator.

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What is a common mistake when simplifying rational expressions?

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A common mistake is cancelling terms that are not factors of both the numerator and denominator.