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Algebra is the study of unknown factors (known as variables). Algebraic fractions are fractions with variables in the numerator or denominator, such as 36/x. Others include x2/y or 5x/y3. Since division by 0 is impossible, variables in the denominator have certain restrictions. The denominator can never equal 0. Therefore, in the fractions
36/x . . . x cannot equal 0
x2/y . . . .y cannot equal 0
5x/y3 . . .y cannot equal 0
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Yes. Also called rational expressions.
An example:
m + 7
----------------------
(m - 6) (m + 2)
so, m-6 cannot equal 0, this means that m cannot equal 6, and
m + 2 cannot equal 0 also, this means that m cannot equal -2
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How do you simplify an algebraic expression that has fractions?
Multiply every term in the expression by the least common multiple of all the denominators. That will get rid of all fractions.
Why does a fraction need to be made up of numbers?
You can have algebraic fractions but, even there, the letters do represent numbers; except that their values are indeterminate.
-6 1 2 plus -1 3 10?
The answer would be -7 4/5. First convert the mixed numbers into fractions. Then use the algebraic formula for addition of fractions: a/b + c/d = (ad + bc) / bd. Last, reduce the fractions.
When were fractions discovered?
Historically, any number that did not represent a whole was called a "fraction". The numbers that we now call "decimals" were originally called "decimal fractions"; the numbers we now call "fractions" were called "vulgar fractions", the word "vulgar" meaning "commonplace". The word is also used in related expressions, such as continued fraction and algebraic fraction-see Special cases below.
How do you find the fractions equivalent to the fractions with letter for denominators and numerator?
If you multiply the numerator and denominator of a fraction by any non-zero number, you get an equivalent fraction. It does not matter if the original numerator or denominator is (or both are) numbers, variables/letters or algebraic expressions. So x/y = 2x/2y = 7x/7y = 5.5x/5.5y. Hope you get the idea.
