Basic Algebra/Rational Expressions and Equations/Simplifying Rational Expressions

Vocabulary

Lesson

To simplify rational expressions, first we need to know what they are. They are fractions that have polynomials on both their numerators and denominators.

  2x2+8x+8
  6x-2

You just can simplify factors, not terms. That means you have to factorize the nominator and the denominator:

  2x2+8x+8 = 
  6x-2                  

  2(x+2)2
  2(3x-1)

Now, both are divisible by 2. So just divide them by 2, the result would be:

  2(x+2)2
  2(3x-1)

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