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Intermediate Algebra
Answer/Discussion to Practice Problems
Tutorial 32: Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions


 

checkAnswer/Discussion to 1a

problem 1a

Our restriction here is that the denominator of a fraction can never be equal to 0.  So to find our domain, we want to set the denominator "not equal" to 0 to restrict those values.

 
ad1a
*Restrict values that cause den. to be 0
 

*"Solve" for x
 
 
 

*"Solve" for x
 

 

 
Our domain is all real numbers except -5 and 5 because they both make the denominator equal to 0, which would not give us a real number answer for our function.

(return to problem 1a)


 

checkAnswer/Discussion to 2a

problem 2a

 
ad2a
*Factor the num. and den.

*Divide out the common factors 
of (2x + 1), (2x - 1), and (3x + 2)
 

 


 

checkAnswer/Discussion to 2b

problem 2b

 
ad2b
*Rewrite as mult. of reciprocal
 

*Factor the num. and den.

*Div. out the common factors of 
(2x + 3), (x - 4), and (2x + 1)

 

 


 

checkAnswer/Discussion to 2c

problem 2c

 
ad2c
*Rewrite the div. as mult. of recip.

*Factor the num. and den.

*Div. out the common factors of 
(b - 4), (b - 4), (b - 5), and (b - 3)

 

 

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Last revised on July 17, 2011 by Kim Seward.
All contents copyright (C) 2001 - 2011, WTAMU and Kim Seward. All rights reserved.