Rational Functions Operations Lesson

Operations with Rational Expressions

Let's remember what to do when we multiply!

• Reduce/Simplify where you can first.

• Multiply straight across!

Multiple Choice

Given the example how many sets of binomials should be canceled out?

• 1 set

• 2 sets

• 3 sets

Notice what binomials are cancelled out!

Poll

What should be left behind from the given expression?

• A binomial in both the numerator and denominator.

• A binomial in the denominator only.

• Everything should cancel out.

Final Answer should be...

Let's remember what to do with division!

• Change the division symbol to multiplication.

• Take the reciprocal of the second expression.

• Follow all the rules for multiplication.

Multiple Select

What can be done first when multiplying two rational expressions? Choose all that may apply.

• Change the division symbol to multplication.

• Take the reciprocal of the second expression

• Factor

• I don't know

Given the problem we also could have started by...

What do you see that the student did first?

Multiple Select

So when we divide we can start by...Choose all that may apply.

• Changing the division symbol to multiplication.

• Taking the reciprocal.

• Factoring each expression.

What is happening in the given student's process?

Fill in the Blanks

What is happening in the given student's process?

Multiple Choice

How many binomials do you expect to be left in both the denominator and numerator?

• 1 each

• 2 each

• 3 each

• 4 each

Let's complete some practice problems