Role Fraction

Audience Rational Expression

Format Advice Column

Topic Back to the basics

Role: You are a caring fraction (ratio of rational numbers, denominator not equal to zero) that has just received note of a rational expression looking for help in simplifying. Audience: As a fraction that has gone through much of what the rational expression is going through, you feel that it is your responsibility to ease the rational expressions mind by sharing personal experiences/giving advice. Format: You will write in an advice column about the similarities between fractions and rational expressions and how rational expressions can use the same, simple approach as fractions in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Topic: How to add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational expressions.

Dear all rational expressions, The fall season is a beautiful time of year: the air crisps, the leaves take on hues of color, and the holiday season begins. However, I also know that it is a time when rational expressions feel overwhelmed. It is a time when you are placed in new and difficult situations, not quite sure what to do. You think that you will remain a simple rational expression and then you are emerged in an unfamiliar context.

The constant demands are too many:

I know. I have been there. I persevered. And now, I want to help you succeed. When you are going through a tough time, I want you to think of me, a fraction. Place yourself in my shoe. Ask yourself, What would I do as a fraction? For example, how would you simplify

10 ? 12

It would be my sincere hope that you would tell me to cancel a 2, the greatest common factor shared by 10 and 12, out of both the numerator and the denominator to obtain the simplified fraction

5 . After all, you have seen worse. Believe it or not, you can use the same logic to 6

simplify rational expressions. Take, for instance, the rational expression

x . Simply look for the greatest common x( x 4 ) x = x( x 4 )

factor shared by both the numerator and denominator and cancel the factor. Thus,

1 for x0. Now, that wasnt so bad, was it? ( x 4)

I know what you must be thinking: How about adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing rational expressions? Again, my answer is the same: think back to fractions. Just as

x 1 x 1 x 3 1 3 1 3 . , 4 2 4 2 8 ( x 4) ( x 2) ( x 4)( x 2) ( x 4)( x 2)

Since you are so well-versed in manipulating fractions with the fundamental operations, you must look at new situations not as frustrating, but as an opportunity to apply knowledge. Just remember: Do not let seemingly difficult situations serve as distractions- simply think of fractions!

Sincerely, Fraction A