In Pre Calc this week, we learned about the multiplication and division of rational expressions. I’ll start with this expression and we can multiply it.

The first step is to simplify and find the non-permissible values. We know that a fraction cannot have zero as it’s denominator, so any value of a variable that would result in zero as a denominator is non-permissible. That would mean both P and M cannot equal 0.

Now we have our non-permissible values and we can simplify. This expression simplifies pretty easily.

The M variables will cancel each other out, and is divisible by leaving us with this final expression

Now let’s try a division question. The difference between a division question and a multiplication question is that with division questions, you’ll reciprocate the second fraction of the expression (flip it).

Here is the expression we’ll use.

Firstly we’ll find the non-permissible values. Again, in this case, b cannot equal 0.

Now we flip the denominator and the numerator of the second fraction and start simplifying.  Flipping the fraction allows us to simplify further. 

 

 

 

 

After simplifying we are left with this. The twos will cancel each other out giving us our final answer of