Algebra II : Rational Expressions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Algebra II

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : Factoring Rational Expressions

Evaluate the following expression: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When we multiply expressions with exponents, we need to keep in mind some rules:

Multiplied variables add exponents.

Divided variables subtract exponents.

Variables raised to a power multiply exponents.

Therefore, when we mulitiply the two fractions, we obtain:

Our final answer is therefore 

Example Question #1 : Factoring Rational Expressions

Simplify:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First factor the numerator. We need two numbers with a sum of 3 and a product of 2. The numbers 1 and 2 satisfy these conditions:

 

Now, look to see if there are any common factors that will cancel:

The  in the numerator and denominator cancel, leaving .

Example Question #5 : Factoring Rational Expressions

Simplify this rational expression: 

Possible Answers:

None of the other answers.

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To see what can be simplified, factor the quadratic equations.

Cancel out like terms:

Combine terms:

 

Example Question #6 : Factoring Rational Expressions

Factor and simplify this rational expression: 

Possible Answers:

None of these.

 

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Completely factor all polynomials:

Cancel like terms:

Example Question #7 : Factoring Rational Expressions

Factor .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In the beginning, we can treat this as two separate problems, and factor the numerator and the denominator independently:

After we've factored them, we can put the factored equations back into the original problem:

From here, we can cancel the  from the top and the bottom, leaving:

Example Question #8 : Factoring Rational Expressions

Factor:  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Factor a two out in the numerator.

Factor the trinomial.

Factor the denominator.

Divide the terms.

The answer is:  

Example Question #9 : Factoring Rational Expressions

Simplify to simplest terms.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The correct answer is . The numerator and denominator can both be factored to simpler terms:

 

The  terms will cancel out. Leaving . While this is an answer choice, it can be simplified further. Factoring out a  from the denominator will allow the  terms to cancel out leaving .  

Example Question #11 : Factoring Rational Expressions

Simplify the rational expression by factoring:

 

Possible Answers:

None of these.

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To simplify it is best to completely factor all polynomials:

Now cancel like terms:

Combine like terms:

Example Question #131 : Rational Expressions

Solve for :

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To solve this rational equation, start by cross multiplying:

Then, distribute the right side:

Finally, subtract  from both sides and bring the  over to the left side:

Dividing by  gives the answer:

Example Question #2 : Solving Rational Expressions

Solve for :

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The first step is to multiply everything by a common denominator. One way to do this is to multiply the entire equation by all three denominators:

Then, to solve for , use the quadratic formula:

 

 

 

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