Simplifying Rational Expressions

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What is a rational expression?

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A rational expression is a fraction where both the numerator and the denominator are 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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Canceling means removing common factors from the numerator and denominator to simplify the expression.

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What is the standard form of a rational expression?

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The standard form of a rational expression is when the numerator and denominator have no common factors other than 1.

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The first step is to check if the numerator and denominator can be factored.

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The expression is already in its simplest form.

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What does it mean if a rational expression cannot be simplified?

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It means there are no common factors in the numerator and denominator.

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