Simplifying and Operations with Rational Expressions

What is a rational expression?

• A sum of two polynomials

• A difference of two polynomials

• A product of two polynomials

• A quotient of two polynomials

Which of the following is a rational expression?

• x^2 - 1

• 3x + 4

• x / (3x^2 + 4)

• x^2 + 1

When is a rational expression considered simplified?

• When the numerator is greater than the denominator

• When the numerator and denominator are equal

• When the only common factor of the numerator and the denominator is 1

• When the numerator is less than the denominator

What is the first step in simplifying a rational expression?

• Adding the numerator and denominator

• Subtracting the numerator from the denominator

• Multiplying the numerator and denominator

• Factoring the numerator and denominator

What is a common mistake when simplifying rational expressions?

• Factoring both the numerator and denominator

• Canceling out terms that are not factors

• Multiplying the numerator and denominator

• Adding the numerator and denominator

How do you simplify the expression (x^2 + 6x + 5) / (x^2 - 25)?

• (x + 5) / (x - 5)

• (x + 1) / (x - 25)

• (x + 1) / (x + 5)

• (x + 1) / (x - 5)

What is the first step in multiplying rational expressions?

• Adding the numerators

• Factoring the expressions

• Subtracting the denominators

• Multiplying the numerators

When multiplying rational expressions, what should you do if you find common factors?

• Cancel them out

• Ignore them

• Multiply them

• Add them

What is the first step in dividing rational expressions?

• Subtracting the fractions

• Dividing the numerators

• Multiplying by the reciprocal of the second fraction

• Adding the fractions

How do you simplify the expression (2x - 8) / (x^2 - 9) ÷ (x + 3) / (x - 4)?

• (x + 3) / (x - 4)

• (x - 3) / (x + 2)

• (x + 2) / (x - 3)

• (x - 4) / (x + 2)