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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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Simplifying 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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How do you cancel common factors in a rational expression?

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You cancel common factors by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by the same non-zero factor.

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What happens if there are no common factors in a rational expression?

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If there are no common factors, the expression is already in its simplest form.

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What is the significance of factoring in simplifying rational expressions?

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Factoring allows you to identify and cancel common factors, which is essential for simplification.

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