1. A.4 Rational Expressions
Domain: the set of x-values.
The domain of a polynomial is always all Real
numbers except for two cases:
1. Denominators
2. Radicals

2. Determine the domain of each of the following:
a. 3x3 + 4x +7
Is there a den. or radical
in it?
is the domain.
To find the domain with
a radical, set the inside b.
is the domain

3. c.
Since this example has a
denominator in it, what
x-value will make it undefined?
The domain will be all real numbers except….
x - 3 = 0 or
x = 3
The answer will look like this...

4. Ex. 2 Reducing a rational expression.

5. Ex a. b.

6. Ex. 4 Multiplying Rational Expressions

7. Ex. 5 Dividing Rational Expressions
Now factor everything.
Day 1

8. Ex. 6 Subtracting Rational Expressions
Dist.

9. Ex. 7
(x-1)(x+1)

10. Ex Compound Fractions
x - 2
Get common
den.’s for N & D
Now, invert the den. and mult.

11. Ex. 9 Simplifying a Compound Fraction by
Multiplying by the LCD.
What is the LCD of all four denominators?
Now, mult. both the top and bottom by x2y2

12. Ex. 10 Simplifying with Negative Exponents
Factor out the smallest exponent possible.
-3/2 is less than -1/2 so we will use -3/2

13. Ex. 11 Simplify the expression by
rationalizing the numerator. 1