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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What does it mean to simplify a rational expression?

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To simplify a rational expression means to reduce it to its simplest form by canceling common factors in the numerator and denominator.

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What is the first step in simplifying a rational expression?

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

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

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It means that there are no common factors in the numerator and denominator that can be canceled.

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The expression cannot be reduced further.

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What is a common mistake when simplifying rational expressions?

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A common mistake is to cancel terms that are not factors of the entire numerator or denominator.

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What is the importance of identifying restrictions in rational expressions?

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Identifying restrictions is important because it shows the values of the variable that would make the denominator zero, which are not allowed.