Just as you can multiply and divide fractions, you can multiply and divide rational expressions. In fact, you use the same processes for multiplying and dividing rational expressions as you use for multiplying and dividing numeric fractions. The process is the same even though the expressions look different!

Multiply Rational Expressions

Remember that there are two ways to multiply numeric fractions.

One way is to multiply the numerators and the denominators and then simplify the product, as shown here.

[latex] \displaystyle \frac{4}{5}\cdot \frac{9}{8}=\frac{36}{40}=\frac{3\cdot 3\cdot 2\cdot 2}{5\cdot 2\cdot 2\cdot 2}=\frac{3\cdot 3\cdot \cancel{2}\cdot\cancel{2}}{5\cdot \cancel{2}\cdot\cancel{2}\cdot 2}=\frac{3\cdot 3}{5\cdot 2}\cdot 1=\frac{9}{10}[/latex]

A second way is to factor and simplify the fractions before performing the multiplication.

[latex]\frac{4}{5}\cdot\frac{9}{8}=\frac{2\cdot2}{5}\cdot\frac{3\cdot3}{2\cdot2\cdot2}=\frac{\cancel{2}\cdot\cancel{2}\cdot3\cdot3}{\cancel{2}\cdot5\cdot\cancel{2}\cdot2}=1\cdot\frac{3\cdot3}{5\cdot2}=\frac{9}{10}[/latex]

Notice that both methods result in the same product. In some cases you may find it easier to multiply and then simplify, while in others it may make more sense to simplify fractions before multiplying.

The same two approaches can be applied to rational expressions. Our first two examples apply both techniques to one expression. After that we will let you decide which works best for you.

Okay, that worked. This time let us simplify first then multiply. When using this method, it helps to look for the greatest common factor. You can factor out any common factors, but finding the greatest one will take fewer steps.

Both methods produced the same answer.

Also, remember that when working with rational expressions, you should get into the habit of identifying any values for the variables that would result in division by [latex]0[/latex]. These excluded values must be eliminated from the domain, the set of all possible values of the variable. In the example above, [latex] \displaystyle \frac{5{{a}^{2}}}{14}\cdot \frac{7}{10{{a}^{3}}}[/latex], the domain is all real numbers where a is not equal to [latex]0[/latex]. When [latex]a=0[/latex], the denominator of the fraction [latex]\frac{7}{10a^{3}}[/latex] equals [latex]0[/latex] which will make the fraction undefined.

Some rational expressions contain quadratic expressions and other multi-term polynomials. To multiply these rational expressions, the best approach is to first factor the polynomials and then look for common factors. Multiplying the terms before factoring will often create complicated polynomials…and then you will have to factor these polynomials anyway! For this reason, it is easier to factor, simplify, and then multiply. Just take it step by step like in the examples below.

Note that in the answer above, you cannot simplify the rational expression any further. It may be tempting to express the [latex]5[/latex]’s in the numerator and denominator as the fraction [latex]\frac{5}{5}[/latex], but these [latex]5[/latex]’s are terms because they are being added or subtracted. Remember that only common factors, not terms, can be regrouped to form factors of [latex]1[/latex]!

In the following video, we present another example of multiplying rational expressions.

Divide Rational Expressions

You have seen that you multiply rational expressions as you multiply numeric fractions. It should come as no surprise that you also divide rational expressions the same way you divide numeric fractions. Specifically, to divide rational expressions, keep the first rational expression, change the division sign to multiplication, and then take the reciprocal of the second rational expression.

Let us begin by recalling division of numeric fractions.

[latex]\frac{2}{3}\div\frac{5}{9}=\frac{2}{3}\cdot\frac{9}{5}=\frac{18}{15}=\frac{6}{5}[/latex]

Use the same process to divide rational expressions. You can think of division as multiplication by the reciprocal and then use what you know about multiplication to simplify.

An example of reciprocal architecture.

You still need to think about the domain, specifically, the variable values that would make either denominator equal zero. But there is a new consideration this time—because you divide by multiplying by the reciprocal of one of the rational expressions, you also need to find the values that would make the numerator of that expression equal zero. Have a look.

Notice that once you rewrite the division as multiplication by a reciprocal, you follow the same process you used to multiply rational expressions.

In the video that follows, we present another example of dividing rational expressions.

Summary

Rational expressions are multiplied and divided the same way as numeric fractions. To multiply, first find the greatest common factors of the numerator and denominator. Next, cancel common factors. Then, multiply any remaining factors. To divide, first rewrite the division as multiplication by the reciprocal. The steps are then the same as those for multiplication.

When expressing a product or quotient, it is important to state the excluded values. These are all values of a variable that would make a denominator equal zero at any step in the calculations.