1. § 6.3
Complex Rational Expressions

2. Woe is me, for I am complex.
Simplifying Complex Fractions
Complex rational expressions, also called complex fractions, have numerators or denominators containing one or more fractions.
Woe is me, for I am complex.
I am currently suffering from…
a feeling of complexity
Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #2 Section 6.3

3. Complex Rational Expressions
Simplifying a Complex Rational Expression by Multiplying by One in the Form T
1) Find the LCD of all rational expressions within the complex rational expression.
2) Multiply both the numerator and the denominator of the complex rational expression by this LCD.
3) Use the distributive property and multiply each term in the numerator and denominator by this LCD. Simplify. No fractional expressions should remain.
4) If possible, factor and simplify.
Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #3 Section 6.3

4. Simplifying Complex Fractions
EXAMPLE
Simplify:
SOLUTION
The denominators in the complex rational expression are 5 and x. The LCD is 5x. Multiply both the numerator and the denominator of the complex rational expression by 5x.
Multiply the numerator and denominator by 5x.
Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #4 Section 6.3

5. Simplifying Complex Fractions
CONTINUED
Use the distributive property.
Divide out common factors.
Simplify.
Factor and simplify.
Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #5 Section 6.3

6. Simplifying Complex Fractions
CONTINUED
Simplify.
Simplify.
Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #6 Section 6.3

7. Simplifying Complex Fractions
EXAMPLE
Simplify:
SOLUTION
The denominators in the complex rational expression are x + 6 and x. The LCD is (x + 6)x. Multiply both the numerator and the denominator of the complex rational expression by (x + 6)x.
Multiply the numerator and denominator by (x + 6)x.
Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #7 Section 6.3

8. Simplifying Complex Fractions
CONTINUED
Use the distributive property.
Divide out common factors.
Simplify.
Simplify.
Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #8 Section 6.3

9. Simplifying Complex Fractions
CONTINUED
Subtract.
Factor and simplify.
Simplify.
Do check point 1 and check point 2 good comparison on bottom of 421
Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #9 Section 6.3

10. Simplifying Complex Fractions
Important to Remember:
Complex rational expressions have numerators or denominators containing one or more fractions.
Complex rational expressions can be simplified by one of two methods presented in this section:
(a) multiplying the numerator and denominator by the LCD
(b) obtaining single expressions in the numerator and denominator and then dividing, using the definition of division for fractions
Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #10 Section 6.3

11. Simplifying Complex Fractions p 421
LCD Multiply by 1
1) Find the LCD of all rational expressions within the complex rational expression.
2) Multiply both the numerator and the denominator of the complex rational expression by this LCD.
3) Use the distributive property and multiply each term in the numerator and denominator by this LCD. Simplify. No fractional expressions should remain.
4) If possible, factor and simplify.
Dividing
1) If necessary, add or subtract to get a single rational expression in the numerator.
2) If necessary, add or subtract to get a single rational expression in the denominator.
3) Perform the division indicated by the main fraction bar: Invert the denominator of the complex rational expression and multiply.
4) If possible, simplify.
Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #11 Section 6.3

12. Simplifying a Complex Rational Expression by Dividing
Simplifying Complex Fractions
Simplifying a Complex Rational Expression by Dividing
1) If necessary, add or subtract to get a single rational expression in the numerator.
2) If necessary, add or subtract to get a single rational expression in the denominator.
3) Perform the division indicated by the main fraction bar: Invert the denominator of the complex rational expression and multiply.
4) If possible, simplify.
Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #12 Section 6.3

13. DONE

14. Simplifying Complex Fractions
EXAMPLE
Simplify:
SOLUTION
1) Subtract to get a single rational expression in the numerator.
Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #14 Section 6.3

15. Simplifying Complex Fractions
CONTINUED
2) Add to get a single rational expression in the denominator.
Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #15 Section 6.3

16. Simplifying Complex Fractions
CONTINUED
3) & 4) Perform the division indicated by the main fraction bar: Invert and multiply. If possible, simplify.
Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #16 Section 6.3