PSAT Math : Algebraic Fractions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #631 : Algebra

Simplify the expression 

.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

We can combine the expression into

The combined expression can then be simplified to

Example Question #1 : How To Simplify A Fraction

Simplify the expression

.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The expression can be rewritten as 

We can now move the variables to the numerator and combine alike variables

This becomes

Example Question #2 : How To Simplify A Fraction

Simplify the expression

.

Possible Answers:

Cannot be simplified

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The numerator of this expression can be factored, giving the expression

The  will cancel itself out leaving,

Example Question #3 : How To Simplify A Fraction

Simplify the expression

.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The expression can be factored to the expression

The  in the numerator and denominator will then cancel each other out to give,

Example Question #11 : How To Simplify A Fraction

Simplify the expression

.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The expression is factorable into the expression

Cancelling the  in the numerator and the denominator leaves

Example Question #12 : How To Simplify A Fraction

Simplify the expression,

.

Possible Answers:

Cannot be simplified

Correct answer:

Cannot be simplified

Explanation:

The numerator of the expression cannot be factored. Therefore, the denominator cannot divide into the numerator, and the expression is in its simplest form.

Example Question #13 : How To Simplify A Fraction

Simplify the expression

.

Possible Answers:

Cannot be simplified

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The expression's numerator can be factored. Factoring the expression gives,

The numerator and denominator can then both be divided by  to give,

Example Question #14 : How To Simplify A Fraction

Simplify the expression

.

Possible Answers:

Cannot be simplified

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The expression can be factored to give

.

 can then be divded from the numerator and the denominator to give,

 

Example Question #55 : Algebraic Fractions

Simplify the expression

.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The expression must first be factored in order to be solvable. Both the numerator and the denominator can be factored, which would give

.

 can be divided from both the numerator and the denominator to give

Example Question #15 : How To Simplify A Fraction

Simplify the expression

.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The expression can be rewritten as 

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