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How to divide rational expressions

Posted On : Sep-22-2011 | seen (266) times | Article Word Count : 389 |

Friends, rational numbers are the most interesting and important section in number system. Sometimes it becomes very difficult to solve a rational expression.
Friends, rational numbers are the most interesting and important section in number system. Sometimes it becomes very difficult to solve a rational expression. So today we are going to understand the basic concepts of rational numbers and how we can solve the problems. Now the first question arises is what is a rational number? Rational number is an expression which can be written as a fraction a/b. Here 'a' is the numerator and 'b' is the denominator. The most important thing to understand is that denominator can never be zero(0).

Let's take an example:

The numbers 5/3 and -6/11 are rational number.

A number 5 is also an expression : 5/1 = 5 and any number in decimal form also an expression for example: 3.33 is a rational number : 3.33 = 333/100.

Some theorems which tells about Rational expressions:

First: Any integer is a rational number. For example a number n = n/1.

Second: The representation of rational number as a fraction is not unique. Like 3/4 = 6/8 = -9/-12.

Third : Every nonzero rational number or a rational that do not contain a 0 has a representation in lowest term.

Closure property of rational number is shown as:

x/y + a/b = xb + ay / yb and a/b divide c/d = ad/bc.

a/b x c/d = ac/bd.



For simplifying rational expressions, we must need to have a good factoring skills. It requires two steps in solving a rational expressions.

Factor the numerator and denominator is the first step and the second step is divide all common factors that the numerator and denominator have.

Dividing rational expressions is the most difficult part as it requires key skills. Now we are going to learn how can we divide a rational expression:

12/5 divide by 9/5 then we need to take a reciprocal of 9/5 . The reciprocal of 9/5 is 5/9.

Multiply 12/5 with the reciprocal. 12/5 x 5/9 = 12/9 = 4/3.

Sometimes solving a rational expression becomes a very hard task so for solving this, various online math solvers are available which reduces the human efforts and shows the result with each step. This will help to understand the rational problems in a better manner.

Article Source : http://www.articleseen.com/Article_How to divide rational expressions_84653.aspx

Author Resource :

TutorVista is the #1 portal for learning simplifying rational expressions online. The tutors working with us are great in explaining dividing rational expressions in best possible way.


Keywords : Rational expressions, simplifying rational expressions, dividing rational expressions,

Category : Reference and Education : Reference and Education

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