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Q: Why should you factor the numerator and the denominators before you multiply in a rational expression?
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Can you always cross multiply rational expressions?

If you need to simplify a rational expression with two or more terms, you need to find the LCD in order to write the expression as a single fraction. If the denominators have not common factors, then the only way is to multiply each numerator with the all denominators of the other terms. If you have an equation in the proportion form, then cross multiply. If both sides of the equation have more than two rational terms, then work at both sides until you have a proportion, then cross multiply. But I would prefer to multiply each term at both sides by the LCD in order to eliminate the denominators.


How are rational numbers multiplied?

The simple way: multiply the numerators to get the numerator, multiply the denominators to get the denominator. To get the preferred answer cancel common factors in the new numerator and denominator. But this can be tricky.


How do you put 85 as a division expression and as a fraction?

85 as a division expression is 85/1. The principal fractional form is also 85/1 but you can calculate equivalent rational fractions if you multiply both, its numerator and denominator, by any non-zero integer.


What happens if you are checking a solution for the rational expression and find that it makes one of the denomiators equal to zero?

If one of the denominators becomes equal to zero when checking a solution for a rational expression, it means that the expression is undefined at that point. This is because division by zero is not defined in mathematics. Therefore, the solution you found is not valid for that rational expression.


When will you know that a rational algebraic expression is in simplest form?

You will know because there are no other numbers that can go into both the numerator and denominator.

Related questions

Can you always cross multiply rational expressions?

If you need to simplify a rational expression with two or more terms, you need to find the LCD in order to write the expression as a single fraction. If the denominators have not common factors, then the only way is to multiply each numerator with the all denominators of the other terms. If you have an equation in the proportion form, then cross multiply. If both sides of the equation have more than two rational terms, then work at both sides until you have a proportion, then cross multiply. But I would prefer to multiply each term at both sides by the LCD in order to eliminate the denominators.


How are rational numbers multiplied?

The simple way: multiply the numerators to get the numerator, multiply the denominators to get the denominator. To get the preferred answer cancel common factors in the new numerator and denominator. But this can be tricky.


What fraction having rational expression in its numerator or denominator or both?

If you divide a rational expression by another rational expression, you will again get a rational expression.


What is an expression which contains polynomials in both the numerator and denominator?

rational expression


An expression which contains polynomials in both the numerator and denominator?

rational expression


How do you write a rational number as a decimal?

You divide the numerator of the rational expression by its denominator.


How do you multiply rational algebraic expression?

Multiplying Rational Expressions After studying this lesson, you will be able to: * Multiply rational expressions. Steps to multiply a rational expression: 1. Cancel numerator to denominator if possible (don't cancel parts of a binomial or trinomial) 2. Factor the numerators and denominators if possible. 3. Multiply straight across - remember, you don't need a common denominator to multiply fractions (or rational expressions). Example 1 Nothing will cancel. Nothing will factor. All we have to do is multiply. This is the simplified answer. Example 2 We can do some canceling and reducing in this problem. 2 and 16 reduces; 9 and 3 reduces, reduce the variables. Now, we multiply. This is the simplified expression. Example 3 We can reduce 12 and 3 and reduce the variables Now, factor the second denominator. Cancel the identical binomials (x + 5 ) This is the simplified expression. Example 4 Factor Cancel the identical binomials. This is the simplified expression. Example 5Factor Cancel the identical binomials. This is the simplified expression. THIS WAS MADE BY: www.algebra-online.com/multiplying-rational-expressions-1.htm Hope this helped !


A rational expression is undefined whenever its numerator is zero?

false


When writing an equivalent rational expression why do you multiply both the denominator and numerator by the same factor?

Because you need to maintain the ratio between the two numbers at the same value.


When can you simplify a fraction or a rational algebraic expression?

When the denominator is a factor of the numerator. If there is 2x in the numerator and denominator these terms cancel.


The first step in reducing a rational expression is to both the numerator and denominator?

factor


When is a rational expression Simplified?

When the only common factor between numerator and denominator is 1.