Chapter 7

Section 2

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7.2 Multiplying and Dividing Rational
Expressions

1
Multiply rational expressions.
2
Divide rational expressions.

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Objective 1

Multiply rational expressions.

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Multiply rational expressions.

The product of two fractions is found by multiplying the

numerators and multiplying the denominators. Rational
expressions are multiplied in the same way.

P R
The product of the rational expressions and is
Q S
P R PR
 
Q S QS
That is, to multiply rational expressions, multiply the numerators
and multiply the denominators.

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 Multiplying Rational
EXAMPLE 1 Expressions

Multiply. Write each answer in lowest terms.

Solution:
2 5 25 25 1
   
7 10 7 10 7  25 7

8 p2q 9 8  p2  q  9 8 p  p  q  3 3 24 p
 2   
3 pq 3  p  q2 3 p  q  q q

It is also possible to divide out common factors in the numerator

and denominator before multiplying the rational expressions.
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 Multiplying Rational
EXAMPLE 2 Expressions

Multiply. Write the answer in lowest terms.

3 p  q  q

p 2 p  q
Solution:
3 p  q  q 3 p  q  q 3q
  
2 p  q p 2  p  q  p 2p

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 Deciding whether Ordered Pairs
EXAMPLE 3 Are Solutions of an Equation

Multiply. Write the answer in lowest terms.

x  7 x  10
2
6x  6
 2
3x  6 x  2 x  15
Solution:


  7 x  10  6 x  6
x 2
 x  2  x  5  6 x  6 

 3x  6   x 2  2 x  15  3x  6  x  5 x  3
2  3   x  5  x  2  x  1 2  x  1
 
3  x  2  x  5  x  3  x  3
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Objective 2

Divide rational expressions.

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Divide rational expressions.
Division of rational expressions is defined as follows.

P R R
If and are any two rational expressions with  0,
then
Q S S
P R P S PS
    .
Q S Q R QR
That is, to divide one rational expression by another rational
expression, multiply the first rational expression by the reciprocal
of the second rational expression.

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EXAMPLE 4 Dividing Rational Expressions

Divide. Write each answer in lowest terms. y  2 x  9.

Solution:
3 5 3 16 3 4  4 12
    
4 16 4 5 45 5

9 p2 6 p3 9 p2 3 p  4 33 p  p 3
    
3p  4 3p  4 3p  4 6 p 3
2  3 p  p  p 2p

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EXAMPLE 5 Dividing Rational Expressions

Divide. Write the answer in lowest terms.

5a 2b 10ab2

2 8

Solution:
5a 2b 8 5  a  a  b  2  2  2 2a
   
2 10ab2 2 25 a bb b

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EXAMPLE 6 Dividing Rational Expressions

Divide. Write the answer in lowest terms.

4 x  x  3  x 2  x  3

2x 1 4 x2 1
4 x  x  3 4 x 2  1
Solution:   2
2 x  1  x  x  3
4  x  2 x  1 2 x  1

1 2 x  1  x  x
4  2 x  1

x
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 Dividing Rational Expressions
EXAMPLE 7 (Factors Are Opposites)

Divide. Write in the answer in lowest terms.

ab  a 2 a b

a 2  1 a 2  2a  1
Solution: ab  a 2 a 2  2a  1
 2 
a 1 a b
a  1 a  b  a  1 a  1

 a  1 a  1 a  b 
a  a  1

 a  1
Remember to write −1 when dividing out factors that are opposite of each
other. It may be written in the numerator or denominator, but not both.
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Multiplying or Dividing Rational Expressions.
In summary, use the following steps to multiply or divide
rational expressions.

Step 1: Note the operation. If the operation is division, use

the definition of division to rewrite it as multiplication.
Step 2: Multiply numerators and denominators.
Step 3: Factor all numerators and denominators completely.
Step 4: Write in lowest terms using the fundamental property.

Steps 2 and 3 may be interchanged based on personal

preference.

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