{"id":2930,"date":"2016-07-22T16:55:46","date_gmt":"2016-07-22T16:55:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/intermediatealgebra\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=2930"},"modified":"2019-08-06T19:09:44","modified_gmt":"2019-08-06T19:09:44","slug":"read-or-watch-complex-rational-expressions-2","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/intermediatealgebra\/chapter\/read-or-watch-complex-rational-expressions-2\/","title":{"raw":"Complex Rational Expressions","rendered":"Complex Rational Expressions"},"content":{"raw":"<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\r\n<h3>Learning Outcomes<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Simplify complex rational expressions<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\nFractions and rational expressions can be interpreted as quotients. When both the dividend (numerator) and divisor (denominator) include fractions or rational expressions, you have something more <i>complex<\/i> than usual. Do not fear\u2014you have all the tools you need to simplify these quotients!\r\n\r\nA <strong>complex fraction<\/strong> is the quotient of two fractions. These complex fractions are never considered to be in simplest form, but they can always be simplified using division of fractions. Remember, to divide fractions, you multiply by the reciprocal.\r\n\r\n<i>Before<\/i> you multiply the numbers, it is often helpful to factor the fractions. You can then cancel factors.\r\n<div class=\"bcc-box bcc-info\">\r\n<h3>Example<\/h3>\r\nSimplify.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]\\displaystyle\\dfrac{\\,\\frac{12}{35}\\,}{\\,\\frac{6}{7}\\,}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\n[reveal-answer q=\"770219\"]Show Solution[\/reveal-answer]\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"770219\"]\r\n\r\nRewrite the complex fraction as a division problem.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]\\displaystyle\\large \\frac{\\,\\frac{12}{35}\\,}{\\,\\frac{6}{7}\\,}=\\normalsize\\frac{12}{35}\\div \\frac{6}{7}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\nRewrite the division as multiplication and take the reciprocal of the divisor.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex] =\\frac{12}{35}\\cdot \\frac{7}{6}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\nFactor the numerator and denominator looking for common factors before multiplying numbers together.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex] \\begin{array}{l}=\\frac{2\\cdot 6\\cdot 7}{5\\cdot 7\\cdot 6}\\\\\\\\=\\frac{2}{5}\\cdot \\frac{6\\cdot 7}{6\\cdot 7}\\\\\\\\=\\frac{2}{5}\\cdot 1\\end{array}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\n[latex]\\displaystyle\\Large \\frac{\\,\\frac{12}{35}\\,}{\\,\\frac{6}{7}\\,}=\\normalsize\\frac{2}{5}[\/latex]\r\n\r\n[\/hidden-answer]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nIf two fractions appear in the numerator or denominator (or both), first combine them. Then simplify the quotient as shown above.\r\n<div class=\"bcc-box bcc-info\">\r\n<h3>Example<\/h3>\r\nSimplify.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]\\displaystyle\\Large \\frac{\\,\\frac{3}{4}+\\frac{1}{2}\\,}{\\,\\frac{4}{5}-\\frac{1}{10}\\,}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\n[reveal-answer q=\"96511\"]Show Solution[\/reveal-answer]\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"96511\"]\r\n\r\nFirst combine the numerator and denominator by adding or subtracting. You may need to find a common denominator first. Note that we do not show the steps for finding a common denominator, so please review that in the previous section if you are confused.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]\\displaystyle\\Large \\frac{\\,\\frac{3}{4}+\\frac{1}{2}\\,}{\\,\\frac{4}{5}-\\frac{1}{10}\\,}=\\frac{\\,\\frac{5}{4}\\,}{\\,\\frac{7}{10}\\,}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\nRewrite the complex fraction as a division problem.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]\\displaystyle\\Large \\frac{\\,\\,\\frac{5}{4}\\,\\,}{\\,\\,\\frac{7}{10}\\,\\,}=\\normalsize\\frac{5}{4}\\div \\frac{7}{10}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\nRewrite the division as multiplication and take the reciprocal of the divisor.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex] =\\dfrac{5}{4}\\cdot \\frac{10}{7}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\nMultiply and simplify as needed.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]\\dfrac{5}{4}\\cdot \\frac{10}{7}=\\frac{5\\cdot5\\cdot2}{2\\cdot2\\cdot7}=\\frac{25}{14}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\n[latex]\\displaystyle\\Large \\frac{\\,\\frac{3}{4}+\\frac{1}{2}\\,}{\\,\\frac{4}{5}-\\frac{1}{10}\\,}=\\normalsize\\frac{25}{14}[\/latex]\r\n\r\n[\/hidden-answer]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nIn the following video, we will show a couple more examples of how to simplify complex fractions.\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/lQCwze2w7OU\r\n<h2>Complex Rational Expressions<\/h2>\r\nA <strong>complex rational expression<\/strong> is a quotient with rational expressions in the dividend, divisor, or in both. Simplify these in the exact same way as you would a complex fraction.\r\n<div class=\"bcc-box bcc-info\">\r\n<h3>Example<\/h3>\r\nSimplify.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]\\displaystyle\\Large \\frac{\\,\\,\\frac{x+5}{{{x}^{2}}-16}\\,}{\\,\\,\\frac{{{x}^{2}}-\\,\\,25}{x-4}\\,}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\n[reveal-answer q=\"245262\"]Show Solution[\/reveal-answer]\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"245262\"]\r\n\r\nRewrite the complex rational expression as a division problem.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex] =\\frac{x+5}{{{x}^{2}}-16}\\div \\frac{{{x}^{2}}-25}{x-4}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\nRewrite the division as multiplication and take the reciprocal of the divisor. Note that the excluded values for this are [latex]-4[\/latex], [latex]4[\/latex],\u00a0[latex]-5[\/latex], and [latex]5[\/latex], because those values make the denominators of one of the fractions zero.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex] =\\frac{x+5}{{{x}^{2}}-16}\\cdot \\frac{x-4}{{{x}^{2}}-25}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\nFactor the numerator and denominator, looking for common factors. In this case, [latex]x+5[\/latex] and [latex]x\u20134[\/latex] are common factors of the numerator and denominator.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex] \\begin{array}{l}=\\frac{(x+5)(x-4)}{(x+4)(x-4)(x+5)(x-5)}\\\\\\\\=\\frac{1}{(x+4)(x-5)}\\end{array}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\n[latex]\\displaystyle\\Large \\frac{\\,\\,\\frac{x+5}{{{x}^{2}}-16}\\,}{\\,\\,\\frac{{{x}^{2}}-25}{x-4}\\,}\\normalsize=\\frac{1}{(x+4)(x-5)},x\\ne -4,4,-5,5[\/latex]\r\n\r\n[\/hidden-answer]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nIn the next video example, we will show that simplifying a complex fraction may require factoring first.\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/fAaqo8gGW9Y\r\n\r\nThe same ideas can be used when simplifying complex rational expressions that include more than one rational expression in the numerator or denominator. However, there is a shortcut that can be used. Compare these two examples of simplifying a complex fraction.\r\n<div class=\"bcc-box bcc-info\">\r\n<h3>Example<\/h3>\r\nSimplify.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex] \\displaystyle\\dfrac{\\,\\,\\normalsize1-\\dfrac{9}{{{x}^{2}}}\\,\\,}{\\,\\,\\normalsize1+\\dfrac{5}{x}\\normalsize+\\dfrac{6}{{{x}^{2}}}\\,\\,}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\n[reveal-answer q=\"344101\"]Show Solution[\/reveal-answer]\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"344101\"]\r\n\r\nCombine the expressions in the numerator and denominator. To do this, rewrite the expressions using a common denominator. There is an excluded value of\u00a0[latex]0[\/latex] because this makes the denominators of the fractions zero.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex] \\begin{array}{l}=\\frac{\\frac{{{x}^{2}}}{{{x}^{2}}}-\\frac{9}{{{x}^{2}}}}{\\frac{{{x}^{2}}}{{{x}^{2}}}+\\frac{5x}{{{x}^{2}}}+\\frac{6}{{{x}^{2}}}}\\\\\\\\=\\frac{\\frac{{{x}^{2}}-9}{{{x}^{2}}}}{\\frac{{{x}^{2}}+5x+6}{{{x}^{2}}}}\\end{array}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\nRewrite the complex rational expression as a division problem. (When you are comfortable with the step of rewriting the complex rational fraction as a division problem, you might skip this step and go straight to rewriting it as multiplication.)\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex] =\\frac{{{x}^{2}}-9}{{{x}^{2}}}\\div \\frac{{{x}^{2}}+5x+6}{{{x}^{2}}}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\nRewrite the division as multiplication and take the reciprocal of the divisor.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex] =\\frac{{{x}^{2}}-9}{{{x}^{2}}}\\cdot \\frac{{{x}^{2}}}{{{x}^{2}}+5x+6}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\nFactor the numerator and denominator looking for common factors. In this case, [latex]x+3[\/latex] and [latex]x^{2}[\/latex] are common factors. We can now see there are two additional excluded values, [latex]-2[\/latex] and [latex]-3[\/latex].\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]\\begin{array}{l}=\\frac{(x+3)(x-3){{x}^{2}}}{{{x}^{2}}(x+3)(x+2)}\\\\\\\\=\\frac{(x-3)}{(x+2)}\\cdot \\frac{{{x}^{2}}(x+3)}{{{x}^{2}}(x+3)}\\end{array}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\n[latex] \\frac{1-\\frac{9}{{{x}^{2}}}}{1+\\frac{5}{x}+\\frac{6}{{{x}^{2}}}}=\\frac{x-3}{x+2},x\\ne -3,-2,0[\/latex]\r\n\r\n[\/hidden-answer]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"bcc-box bcc-info\">\r\n<h3>Example<\/h3>\r\nSimplify.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex] \\frac{1-\\frac{9}{{{x}^{2}}}}{1+\\frac{5}{x}+\\frac{6}{{{x}^{2}}}}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\n[reveal-answer q=\"926024\"]Show Solution[\/reveal-answer]\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"926024\"]\r\n\r\nBefore combining the expressions, find a common denominator for all of the rational expressions. In this case, [latex]x^{2}[\/latex]\u00a0is a common denominator. Multiply by\u00a0[latex]1[\/latex] in the form of a fraction with the common denominator in both the numerator and denominator. In this case, multiply by [latex] \\frac{{{x}^{2}}}{{{x}^{2}}}[\/latex]. There is an excluded value of\u00a0[latex]0[\/latex] because this makes the denominators of the fractions zero.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex] \\begin{array}{l}=\\frac{1-\\frac{9}{{{x}^{2}}}}{1+\\frac{5}{x}+\\frac{6}{{{x}^{2}}}}\\cdot \\frac{{{x}^{2}}}{{{x}^{2}}}\\\\\\\\=\\frac{\\left( 1-\\frac{9}{{{x}^{2}}} \\right){{x}^{2}}}{\\left( 1+\\frac{5}{x}+\\frac{6}{{{x}^{2}}} \\right){{x}^{2}}}\\\\\\\\=\\frac{{{x}^{2}}-9}{{{x}^{2}}+5x+6}\\end{array}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\nNotice that the expression is no longer complex! You can simplify by factoring and identifying common factors. We can now see there are two additional excluded values, [latex]-2[\/latex] and [latex]-3[\/latex].\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex] \\begin{array}{l}=\\frac{(x+3)(x-3)}{(x+3)(x+2)}\\\\\\\\=\\frac{x+3}{x+3}\\cdot \\frac{x-3}{x+2}\\\\\\\\=1\\cdot \\frac{x-3}{x+2}\\end{array}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\n[latex] \\frac{1-\\frac{9}{{{x}^{2}}}}{1+\\frac{5}{x}+\\frac{6}{{{x}^{2}}}}=\\frac{x-3}{x+2},x\\ne -3,-2,0[\/latex]\r\n\r\n[\/hidden-answer]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nYou may find the second method easier to use, but do try both ways to see what you prefer.\r\n\r\nIn our last example, we show a similar example as the one above.\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/P5dfmX_FNPk\r\n<h2>Summary<\/h2>\r\nComplex rational expressions are quotients with rational expressions in the divisor, dividend, or both. When written in fraction form, they appear to be fractions within a fraction. These can be simplified by first treating the quotient as a division problem. Then you can rewrite the division as multiplication and take the reciprocal of the divisor. Or you can simplify the complex rational expression by multiplying both the numerator and denominator by a denominator common to all rational expressions within the complex expression. This can help simplify the complex expression even faster.","rendered":"<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\n<h3>Learning Outcomes<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Simplify complex rational expressions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Fractions and rational expressions can be interpreted as quotients. When both the dividend (numerator) and divisor (denominator) include fractions or rational expressions, you have something more <i>complex<\/i> than usual. Do not fear\u2014you have all the tools you need to simplify these quotients!<\/p>\n<p>A <strong>complex fraction<\/strong> is the quotient of two fractions. These complex fractions are never considered to be in simplest form, but they can always be simplified using division of fractions. Remember, to divide fractions, you multiply by the reciprocal.<\/p>\n<p><i>Before<\/i> you multiply the numbers, it is often helpful to factor the fractions. You can then cancel factors.<\/p>\n<div class=\"bcc-box bcc-info\">\n<h3>Example<\/h3>\n<p>Simplify.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]\\displaystyle\\dfrac{\\,\\frac{12}{35}\\,}{\\,\\frac{6}{7}\\,}[\/latex]<\/p>\n<div class=\"qa-wrapper\" style=\"display: block\"><span class=\"show-answer collapsed\" style=\"cursor: pointer\" data-target=\"q770219\">Show Solution<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"q770219\" class=\"hidden-answer\" style=\"display: none\">\n<p>Rewrite the complex fraction as a division problem.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]\\displaystyle\\large \\frac{\\,\\frac{12}{35}\\,}{\\,\\frac{6}{7}\\,}=\\normalsize\\frac{12}{35}\\div \\frac{6}{7}[\/latex]<\/p>\n<p>Rewrite the division as multiplication and take the reciprocal of the divisor.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]=\\frac{12}{35}\\cdot \\frac{7}{6}[\/latex]<\/p>\n<p>Factor the numerator and denominator looking for common factors before multiplying numbers together.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]\\begin{array}{l}=\\frac{2\\cdot 6\\cdot 7}{5\\cdot 7\\cdot 6}\\\\\\\\=\\frac{2}{5}\\cdot \\frac{6\\cdot 7}{6\\cdot 7}\\\\\\\\=\\frac{2}{5}\\cdot 1\\end{array}[\/latex]<\/p>\n<p>[latex]\\displaystyle\\Large \\frac{\\,\\frac{12}{35}\\,}{\\,\\frac{6}{7}\\,}=\\normalsize\\frac{2}{5}[\/latex]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>If two fractions appear in the numerator or denominator (or both), first combine them. Then simplify the quotient as shown above.<\/p>\n<div class=\"bcc-box bcc-info\">\n<h3>Example<\/h3>\n<p>Simplify.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]\\displaystyle\\Large \\frac{\\,\\frac{3}{4}+\\frac{1}{2}\\,}{\\,\\frac{4}{5}-\\frac{1}{10}\\,}[\/latex]<\/p>\n<div class=\"qa-wrapper\" style=\"display: block\"><span class=\"show-answer collapsed\" style=\"cursor: pointer\" data-target=\"q96511\">Show Solution<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"q96511\" class=\"hidden-answer\" style=\"display: none\">\n<p>First combine the numerator and denominator by adding or subtracting. You may need to find a common denominator first. Note that we do not show the steps for finding a common denominator, so please review that in the previous section if you are confused.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]\\displaystyle\\Large \\frac{\\,\\frac{3}{4}+\\frac{1}{2}\\,}{\\,\\frac{4}{5}-\\frac{1}{10}\\,}=\\frac{\\,\\frac{5}{4}\\,}{\\,\\frac{7}{10}\\,}[\/latex]<\/p>\n<p>Rewrite the complex fraction as a division problem.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]\\displaystyle\\Large \\frac{\\,\\,\\frac{5}{4}\\,\\,}{\\,\\,\\frac{7}{10}\\,\\,}=\\normalsize\\frac{5}{4}\\div \\frac{7}{10}[\/latex]<\/p>\n<p>Rewrite the division as multiplication and take the reciprocal of the divisor.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]=\\dfrac{5}{4}\\cdot \\frac{10}{7}[\/latex]<\/p>\n<p>Multiply and simplify as needed.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]\\dfrac{5}{4}\\cdot \\frac{10}{7}=\\frac{5\\cdot5\\cdot2}{2\\cdot2\\cdot7}=\\frac{25}{14}[\/latex]<\/p>\n<p>[latex]\\displaystyle\\Large \\frac{\\,\\frac{3}{4}+\\frac{1}{2}\\,}{\\,\\frac{4}{5}-\\frac{1}{10}\\,}=\\normalsize\\frac{25}{14}[\/latex]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>In the following video, we will show a couple more examples of how to simplify complex fractions.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"oembed-1\" title=\"Ex 1:  Simplify a Complex Fraction (No Variables)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lQCwze2w7OU?feature=oembed&#38;rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>Complex Rational Expressions<\/h2>\n<p>A <strong>complex rational expression<\/strong> is a quotient with rational expressions in the dividend, divisor, or in both. Simplify these in the exact same way as you would a complex fraction.<\/p>\n<div class=\"bcc-box bcc-info\">\n<h3>Example<\/h3>\n<p>Simplify.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]\\displaystyle\\Large \\frac{\\,\\,\\frac{x+5}{{{x}^{2}}-16}\\,}{\\,\\,\\frac{{{x}^{2}}-\\,\\,25}{x-4}\\,}[\/latex]<\/p>\n<div class=\"qa-wrapper\" style=\"display: block\"><span class=\"show-answer collapsed\" style=\"cursor: pointer\" data-target=\"q245262\">Show Solution<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"q245262\" class=\"hidden-answer\" style=\"display: none\">\n<p>Rewrite the complex rational expression as a division problem.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]=\\frac{x+5}{{{x}^{2}}-16}\\div \\frac{{{x}^{2}}-25}{x-4}[\/latex]<\/p>\n<p>Rewrite the division as multiplication and take the reciprocal of the divisor. Note that the excluded values for this are [latex]-4[\/latex], [latex]4[\/latex],\u00a0[latex]-5[\/latex], and [latex]5[\/latex], because those values make the denominators of one of the fractions zero.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]=\\frac{x+5}{{{x}^{2}}-16}\\cdot \\frac{x-4}{{{x}^{2}}-25}[\/latex]<\/p>\n<p>Factor the numerator and denominator, looking for common factors. In this case, [latex]x+5[\/latex] and [latex]x\u20134[\/latex] are common factors of the numerator and denominator.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]\\begin{array}{l}=\\frac{(x+5)(x-4)}{(x+4)(x-4)(x+5)(x-5)}\\\\\\\\=\\frac{1}{(x+4)(x-5)}\\end{array}[\/latex]<\/p>\n<p>[latex]\\displaystyle\\Large \\frac{\\,\\,\\frac{x+5}{{{x}^{2}}-16}\\,}{\\,\\,\\frac{{{x}^{2}}-25}{x-4}\\,}\\normalsize=\\frac{1}{(x+4)(x-5)},x\\ne -4,4,-5,5[\/latex]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>In the next video example, we will show that simplifying a complex fraction may require factoring first.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"oembed-2\" title=\"Ex 2:  Simplify a Complex Fraction (Variables)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fAaqo8gGW9Y?feature=oembed&#38;rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The same ideas can be used when simplifying complex rational expressions that include more than one rational expression in the numerator or denominator. However, there is a shortcut that can be used. Compare these two examples of simplifying a complex fraction.<\/p>\n<div class=\"bcc-box bcc-info\">\n<h3>Example<\/h3>\n<p>Simplify.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]\\displaystyle\\dfrac{\\,\\,\\normalsize1-\\dfrac{9}{{{x}^{2}}}\\,\\,}{\\,\\,\\normalsize1+\\dfrac{5}{x}\\normalsize+\\dfrac{6}{{{x}^{2}}}\\,\\,}[\/latex]<\/p>\n<div class=\"qa-wrapper\" style=\"display: block\"><span class=\"show-answer collapsed\" style=\"cursor: pointer\" data-target=\"q344101\">Show Solution<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"q344101\" class=\"hidden-answer\" style=\"display: none\">\n<p>Combine the expressions in the numerator and denominator. To do this, rewrite the expressions using a common denominator. There is an excluded value of\u00a0[latex]0[\/latex] because this makes the denominators of the fractions zero.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]\\begin{array}{l}=\\frac{\\frac{{{x}^{2}}}{{{x}^{2}}}-\\frac{9}{{{x}^{2}}}}{\\frac{{{x}^{2}}}{{{x}^{2}}}+\\frac{5x}{{{x}^{2}}}+\\frac{6}{{{x}^{2}}}}\\\\\\\\=\\frac{\\frac{{{x}^{2}}-9}{{{x}^{2}}}}{\\frac{{{x}^{2}}+5x+6}{{{x}^{2}}}}\\end{array}[\/latex]<\/p>\n<p>Rewrite the complex rational expression as a division problem. (When you are comfortable with the step of rewriting the complex rational fraction as a division problem, you might skip this step and go straight to rewriting it as multiplication.)<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]=\\frac{{{x}^{2}}-9}{{{x}^{2}}}\\div \\frac{{{x}^{2}}+5x+6}{{{x}^{2}}}[\/latex]<\/p>\n<p>Rewrite the division as multiplication and take the reciprocal of the divisor.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]=\\frac{{{x}^{2}}-9}{{{x}^{2}}}\\cdot \\frac{{{x}^{2}}}{{{x}^{2}}+5x+6}[\/latex]<\/p>\n<p>Factor the numerator and denominator looking for common factors. In this case, [latex]x+3[\/latex] and [latex]x^{2}[\/latex] are common factors. We can now see there are two additional excluded values, [latex]-2[\/latex] and [latex]-3[\/latex].<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]\\begin{array}{l}=\\frac{(x+3)(x-3){{x}^{2}}}{{{x}^{2}}(x+3)(x+2)}\\\\\\\\=\\frac{(x-3)}{(x+2)}\\cdot \\frac{{{x}^{2}}(x+3)}{{{x}^{2}}(x+3)}\\end{array}[\/latex]<\/p>\n<p>[latex]\\frac{1-\\frac{9}{{{x}^{2}}}}{1+\\frac{5}{x}+\\frac{6}{{{x}^{2}}}}=\\frac{x-3}{x+2},x\\ne -3,-2,0[\/latex]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bcc-box bcc-info\">\n<h3>Example<\/h3>\n<p>Simplify.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]\\frac{1-\\frac{9}{{{x}^{2}}}}{1+\\frac{5}{x}+\\frac{6}{{{x}^{2}}}}[\/latex]<\/p>\n<div class=\"qa-wrapper\" style=\"display: block\"><span class=\"show-answer collapsed\" style=\"cursor: pointer\" data-target=\"q926024\">Show Solution<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"q926024\" class=\"hidden-answer\" style=\"display: none\">\n<p>Before combining the expressions, find a common denominator for all of the rational expressions. In this case, [latex]x^{2}[\/latex]\u00a0is a common denominator. Multiply by\u00a0[latex]1[\/latex] in the form of a fraction with the common denominator in both the numerator and denominator. In this case, multiply by [latex]\\frac{{{x}^{2}}}{{{x}^{2}}}[\/latex]. There is an excluded value of\u00a0[latex]0[\/latex] because this makes the denominators of the fractions zero.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]\\begin{array}{l}=\\frac{1-\\frac{9}{{{x}^{2}}}}{1+\\frac{5}{x}+\\frac{6}{{{x}^{2}}}}\\cdot \\frac{{{x}^{2}}}{{{x}^{2}}}\\\\\\\\=\\frac{\\left( 1-\\frac{9}{{{x}^{2}}} \\right){{x}^{2}}}{\\left( 1+\\frac{5}{x}+\\frac{6}{{{x}^{2}}} \\right){{x}^{2}}}\\\\\\\\=\\frac{{{x}^{2}}-9}{{{x}^{2}}+5x+6}\\end{array}[\/latex]<\/p>\n<p>Notice that the expression is no longer complex! You can simplify by factoring and identifying common factors. We can now see there are two additional excluded values, [latex]-2[\/latex] and [latex]-3[\/latex].<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]\\begin{array}{l}=\\frac{(x+3)(x-3)}{(x+3)(x+2)}\\\\\\\\=\\frac{x+3}{x+3}\\cdot \\frac{x-3}{x+2}\\\\\\\\=1\\cdot \\frac{x-3}{x+2}\\end{array}[\/latex]<\/p>\n<p>[latex]\\frac{1-\\frac{9}{{{x}^{2}}}}{1+\\frac{5}{x}+\\frac{6}{{{x}^{2}}}}=\\frac{x-3}{x+2},x\\ne -3,-2,0[\/latex]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>You may find the second method easier to use, but do try both ways to see what you prefer.<\/p>\n<p>In our last example, we show a similar example as the one above.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"oembed-3\" title=\"Ex 3:  Simplify a Complex Fraction (Variables)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/P5dfmX_FNPk?feature=oembed&#38;rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>Summary<\/h2>\n<p>Complex rational expressions are quotients with rational expressions in the divisor, dividend, or both. When written in fraction form, they appear to be fractions within a fraction. These can be simplified by first treating the quotient as a division problem. Then you can rewrite the division as multiplication and take the reciprocal of the divisor. Or you can simplify the complex rational expression by multiplying both the numerator and denominator by a denominator common to all rational expressions within the complex expression. This can help simplify the complex expression even faster.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t <section class=\"citations-section\" role=\"contentinfo\">\n\t\t\t <h3>Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t <div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <div id=\"citation-list-2930\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"licensing\"><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Shared previously<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Ex 1: Simplify a Complex Fraction (No Variables). <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com) for Lumen Learning. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/lQCwze2w7OU\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/lQCwze2w7OU<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><li>Unit 15: Rational Expressions, from Developmental Math: An Open Program. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Monterey Institute of Technology. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/nrocnetwork.org\/dm-opentext\">http:\/\/nrocnetwork.org\/dm-opentext<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><li>Ex 2: Simplify a Complex Fraction (Variables). <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com) . <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/fAaqo8gGW9Y\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/fAaqo8gGW9Y<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><li>Ex 3: Simplify a Complex Fraction (Variables). <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com) for Lumen Learning. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/P5dfmX_FNPk\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/P5dfmX_FNPk<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section>","protected":false},"author":21,"menu_order":6,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Ex 1: Simplify a Complex Fraction (No Variables)\",\"author\":\"James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com) for Lumen Learning\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/lQCwze2w7OU\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Unit 15: Rational Expressions, from Developmental Math: An Open Program\",\"author\":\"\",\"organization\":\"Monterey Institute of Technology\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/nrocnetwork.org\/dm-opentext\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Ex 2: Simplify a Complex Fraction (Variables)\",\"author\":\"James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com) 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