PSAT Math : How to simplify a fraction

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Math

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Example Questions

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 

Example Question #16 : How To Simplify A Fraction

A train travels at a constant rate of  meters per second. How many kilometers does it travel in  minutes?

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Set up the conversions as fractions and solve:

\dpi{100} \small \frac{20m}{1sec}\times \frac{60sec^}{1min}\times \frac{1km}{1000m}\times \frac{10min}{1}

Example Question #1 : Algebraic Fractions

Simplify.  \frac{4x^{4}z^{3}}{2xz^{2}}

Possible Answers:

2x^{4}z^{3}

\frac{2x^{4}z^{3}}{xz}

Can't be simplified

2x^{3}z

4x^{3}z

Correct answer:

2x^{3}z

Explanation:

To simplify exponents which are being divided, subtract the exponents on the bottom from exponents on the top.  Remember that only exponents with the same bases can be simplified

Example Question #261 : Algebra

Simplify:

 

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

x2 – y2 can be also expressed as (x + y)(x – y).

Therefore, the fraction now can be re-written as (x + y)(x – y)/(x + y).

This simplifies to (x – y).

Example Question #6 : Algebraic Fractions

Simplify:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Notice that the term appears frequently. Let's try to factor that out:

Now multiply both the numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the denominator:

 

 

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