Algebraic Fractions Algebraic Fractions Using 4 Rules
Algebraic FractionsAlgebraic FractionsUsing 4 Rules
In this lesson we will look at examples of simplifying Algebraic Fractions using the “4 Rules of Fractions.”
AdditionAddition bd
bcad
d
c
b
a
xx 2
31Simplify
)2(
)(3)2(1
xx
xx
)2(
32
xx
xx
)2(
22
xx
x
AdditionAddition bd
bcad
d
c
b
a
y
x
x 2
3Simplify
)2(
))(()2(3
yx
xxy
xy
xy
2
6 2
SubtractionSubtraction bd
bcad
d
c
b
a
p
t
p 2
2Simplify
)2)((
))(()2)(2(
pp
tpp
22
4
p
ptp
22
)4(
p
tp
p
t
2
)4(
Can you see an alternative, quicker method here?
SubtractionSubtraction bd
bcad
d
c
b
a
4
33
2
12
xxSimplify
)4)(2(
)33(2)12(4
xx
8
6648
xx
8
22 x
8
)1(2
x4
4
1x
MultiplicationMultiplication bd
ac
d
c
b
a
5
5
3
x
xxSimplify
)5(3
)5)((
x
xx
)5(3
52
x
xx
MultiplicationMultiplication bd
ac
d
c
b
a
62
5
15
3
x
xSimplify
)62)(15(
)5)(3(
x
x
)3)(2)(15(
)5)(3(
x
xFactorising (2x-6)Factorising (2x-6)
3
)2)(3(
1
6
1
DivisionDivision bc
ad
d
c
b
a
Simplify
14
4
7
2 yx
y
x
4
14
7
2
)4)(7(
)14)(2(
y
x
2
2
y
x
EquationsEquations
Once you know how to simplify algebraic fractions, youCan solve equations containing them
For example
743
2xx
35
2
2
1
xx
743
2xx
Solve
7)4)(3(
))(3()2)(4(
xx
712
38
xx
712
5x
845 x5
84 x
Solve 35
2
2
1
xx
3)5)(2(
)2)(2()1)(5(
xx
310
4255
xx 310
97
x
3097 x
217 x
3x