This week, we started a new unit. This unit is on rational expressions.

A rational expression you might find in grade 11 is

To simplify this expression, we find anything common between the numerator and denominator. In this case, the binomial (x+2) exists in the numerator and denominator. So we can cross it out, and our final answer is

What if you had quadratics as your numerator and denominator like

Well, we can factor the quadratic into (x+3) and (x-2). What do you see now? Now our rational expression can be simplified!

 

 

However, if you have a rational expression like , remember that this cannot be simplified any further. This is it’s final form! You cannot take away the x from the numerator and denominator, as tempting as it is. If you follow through with it, your answers will be wrong. So beware!