Key Concepts

• Rational expressions can be simplified by cancelling common factors in the numerator and denominator.
• We can multiply rational expressions by multiplying the numerators and multiplying the denominators.
• To divide rational expressions, multiply by the reciprocal of the second expression.
• Adding or subtracting rational expressions requires finding a common denominator.
• Complex rational expressions have fractions in the numerator or the denominator. These expressions can be simplified.

Glossary

least common denominator the smallest multiple that two denominators have in common

rational expression the quotient of two polynomial expressions