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As with rational numbers, it is possible to write two polynomial expressions as a ratio, so long as the divisor is not zero. This lesson will explore various aspects of this type of algebraic expression, including how mathematical operations such as multiplication and division can be applied to it.

Catch-Up and Review

Here are a few recommended readings before getting started with this lesson.

Multiplying Fractions
Dividing Fractions
Greatest Common Factor
Factoring Methods

Challenge

Combined Fuel Efficiency

The distance that a vehicle can travel per one gallon of fuel is measured as its mile per gallon (mpg) fuel economy. Each car has two fuel economy numbers, one measuring its efficiency for city driving and the other for highway driving. The combined fuel economy

C

for

x

mpg in the city and

y

mpg on the highway is computed by the following formula.

C = \frac{1}{\frac{1}{2} ( \frac{1}{x} + \frac{1}{y} )}

a If a car travels

28

miles per gallon in the city and

36

mpg on the highway, what is the combined fuel economy for the car?

b Let

x

be the city fuel economy for a new car model. If the highway fuel economy in terms of

x

\frac{1 0 x}{x - 2 0},

write a simplified expression for the combined fuel economy for such a car.

Discussion

Rational Expression

A rational expression is a fraction where both the numerator and the denominator are polynomials.

$\frac{p ( x )}{q ( x )}$

Here,

p (x)

and

q (x)

are polynomials and

q (x) \neq = 0 .

The expression below is an example of a rational expression.

\frac{x ^{2} - 7}{x ^{3} + 5 x}

A rational expression is said to be written in its simplest form if the numerator and denominator have no common factors.

Rational Expressions
Not in Simplest Form	In Simplest Form
$\frac{x y}{x ( x - 3 ) ( y + 2 )}$	$\frac{x - 1}{x + 1}$
$\frac{x ^{4} + x ^{2}}{x ^{2} + 1}$	$\frac{x ^{3} + 7}{x ^{2} - x - 6}$

Notice that for some of the expressions shown in the table, there are some $x -$ values that make the denominator $0 .$ For example, the denominator of $\frac{x - 1}{x + 1}$ is $0$ when $x = - 1 .$ Any value of a variable for which a rational expression is undefined is called an excluded value.

Expression	Restriction	Excluded Value(s)
$\frac{x - 1}{x + 1}$	$x + 1 \neq = 0$	$x \neq = - 1$
$\frac{x ^{3} + 7}{x ^{2} - x - 6}$	$x^{2} - x - 6 \neq = 0$	$x \neq = - 2$ and $x \neq = 3$
$\frac{x y}{x ( x - 3 ) ( y + 2 )}$	$x (x - 3) (y + 2) \neq = 0$	$x \neq = 0,$ $x \neq = 3,$ and $y \neq = - 2$
$\frac{x ^{4} + x ^{2}}{x ^{2} + 1}$	There is no real number that makes $x^{2} + 1$ zero	None

Simplifying a rational expression can remove some of the excluded values that appear in the original expression. A rational expression and its simplified form must have the same domain in order for them to be equivalent expressions. This means that the excluded values that are no longer visible in the simplified expression must still be declared.

Equivalent Expressions
Rational Expression	Simplified Form
$\frac{x - 3}{( x + 2 ) ( x - 3 )}, x \neq = - 2, 3$	$\frac{1}{x + 2}, x \neq = - 2, 3$
$\frac{x ^{2} + 2 x + 1}{x ^{2} - 1}, x \neq = - 1, 1$	$\frac{x + 1}{x - 1}, x \neq = - 1, 1$
$\frac{x ^{3} - 2 x ^{2} + x}{x ^{2}}, x \neq = 0$	$\frac{x ^{2} - 2 x + 1}{x}, x \neq = 0$

Pop Quiz

Determining Values That Make a Rational Expression Undefined

A rational expression is undefined when its denominator is $0 .$ The values that make the denominator of a rational expression equal to $0$ are called excluded values because they are excluded from its domain. Determine the excluded values for the indicated rational expressions.

Discussion

Simplifying Rational Expressions

A rational expression is written in simplest form if the numerator and denominator have no factors in common. Rational expressions that are not in simplest form can be simplified by canceling out the common factors. There are many various methods of factoring polynomials to find any common factors. Consider an example expression.

\frac{x ^{2} - 6 x + 9}{9 x - x ^{3}}

Rational expressions can be simplified in three steps.

Factor the Numerator and the Denominator

Check first if either the numerator or the denominator — or both — can be factored by the greatest common factor. In this example, the factor

x

is in both terms of the denominator.

\frac{x ^{2} - 6 x + 9}{9 x - x ^{3}}

SplitIntoFactors

Split into factors

\frac{x ^{2} - 6 x + 9}{x \cdot 9 - x \cdot x ^{2}}

FactorOut

Factor out $x$

\frac{x ^{2} - 6 x + 9}{x ( 9 - x ^{2} )}

Determine if it is possible to factor either the numerator or the denominator by using a difference of squares. Look for an expression in the form

a^{2} - b^{2},

which can be factored as

(a + b) (a - b) .

In the example,

(9 - x)^{2}

can be factored using this rule.

\frac{x ^{2} - 6 x + 9}{x ( 9 - x ^{2} )}

WritePow

Write as a power

\frac{x ^{2} - 6 x + 9}{x ( 3 ^{2} - x ^{2} )}

FacDiffSquares

$a^{2} - b^{2} = (a + b) (a - b)$

\frac{x ^{2} - 6 x + 9}{x ( 3 + x ) ( 3 - x )}

See if either the numerator or the denominator is a perfect square trinomial. Look for an expression in the form

a^{2} \pm 2 a b + b^{2},

which can be factored as

(a \pm b)^{2} .

Here, the numerator is a perfect square trinomial.

\frac{x ^{2} - 6 x + 9}{x ( 3 + x ) ( 3 - x )}

SplitIntoFactors

Split into factors

\frac{x ^{2} - 2 x ( 3 ) + 9}{x ( 3 + x ) ( 3 - x )}

WritePow

Write as a power

\frac{x ^{2} - 2 \cdot x \cdot 3 + 3 ^{2}}{x ( 3 + x ) ( 3 - x )}

FacNegPerfectSquare

$a^{2} - 2 a b + b^{2} = (a - b)^{2}$

\frac{( x - 3 ) ^{2}}{x ( 3 + x ) ( 3 - x )}

In some cases, a negative sign can be factored out for one expression to have the same form as another factor. Here, the factor

3 - x

in the denominator is almost identical to the factor

x - 3

in the numerator.

\frac{( x - 3 ) ^{2}}{x ( 3 + x ) ( 3 - x )}

CommutativePropMult

Commutative Property of Multiplication

\frac{( x - 3 ) ^{2}}{( 3 - x ) x ( 3 + x )}

FactorOutNegSignSwap

$a - b = - (b - a)$

\frac{( x - 3 ) ^{2}}{- ( x - 3 ) x ( 3 + x )}

Now both the numerator and denominator are completely factored.

List Restricted Values

Before simplifying the common factors, check if there are any restrictions on

x .

\frac{( x - 3 ) ^{2}}{- ( x - 3 ) x ( 3 + x )}

Note that the expression is undefined when

x = - 3,

x = 0,

x = 3 .

Cancel Out Common Factors

In this expression,

(x - 3)

is the common factor of the numerator and the denominator and can be eliminated.

\frac{( x - 3 ) ^{2}}{- ( x - 3 ) x ( 3 + x )}

ReduceFrac

$\frac{a}{b} = \frac{a / ( x - 3 )}{b / ( x - 3 )}$

\frac{x - 3}{- x ( 3 + x )}

The rational expression is now written in its simplest form. In order for the given expression and the simplified expression to be equivalent, the domain of the simplified expression should be restricted by excluding

x = 3 .

\frac{x - 3}{- x ( 3 + x )}, x \neq = 3

Since the restriction

x \neq = 3

cannot be seen from the simplified expression, it should be written. The other restrictions are evident from the simplified expression.

Example

Finding the Domain of Rational Expressions

Kevin and Zosia are asked to find the values that make the following rational expression undefined.

\frac{x ^{2} + 1 2 x + 3 5}{x ^{2} + 2 x - 3 5}

They disagree about the domain of the rational expression.

Zosia:Its domain is all real numbers except -7 and 5. Kevin: Its domain is all real numbers except 5.

Who is correct?

Hint

A rational expression is undefined for values that make its denominator zero. Therefore, those values should be excluded from the domain.

Solution

A rational expression is undefined when the

denominator

equals

0 .

\frac{x ^{2} + 1 2 x + 3 5}{x ^{2} + 2 x - 3 5}

To find the domain of the rational expression, the expression in the denominator is set equal to

0 .

x^{2} + 2 x - 35 = 0

To solve the resulting equation for

x,

start by factoring the expression on the left-hand side.

x^{2} + 2 x - 35 = 0

Factor

WriteSum

Write as a sum

x^{2} - 5 x + 7 x - 35 = 0

FactorOut

Factor out $x$

x (x - 5) + 7 x - 35 = 0

FactorOut

Factor out $7$

x (x - 5) + 7 (x - 5) = 0

FactorOut

Factor out $(x - 5)$

(x + 7) (x - 5) = 0

Now the Zero Product Property will be applied to find all excluded values.

(x + 7) (x - 5) = 0

Solve using the Zero Product Property

ZeroProdProp

Use the Zero Product Property

x + 7 = 0 x - 5 = 0 (I) (II)

SubEqn

$(I):$ $LHS - 7 = RHS - 7$

x = - 7 x - 5 = 0

AddEqn

$(II):$ $LHS + 5 = RHS + 5$

x = - 7 x = 5

The values

x = - 7

and

x = 5

make the denominator equal to

0 .

As a result, they make the rational expression undefined. Therefore, Zosia is correct in saying that the domain is all real numbers except

- 7

and

5 .

Kevin may have simplified the expression before identifying the excluded values. This is a common mistake!

\frac{x ^{2} + 1 2 x + 3 5}{( x + 7 ) ( x - 5 )}

Factor the numerator

WriteSum

Write as a sum

\frac{x ^{2} + 5 x + 7 x + 3 5}{( x + 7 ) ( x - 5 )}

FactorOut

Factor out $x$

\frac{x ( x + 5 ) + 7 x + 3 5}{( x + 7 ) ( x - 5 )}

FactorOut

Factor out $7$

\frac{x ( x + 5 ) + 7 ( x + 5 )}{( x + 7 ) ( x - 5 )}

FactorOut

Factor out $(x + 5)$

\frac{( x + 7 ) ( x + 5 )}{( x + 7 ) ( x - 5 )}

Simplify

CancelCommonFac

Cancel out common factors

\frac{( x + 7 ) ( x + 5 )}{( x + 7 ) ( x - 5 )}

SimpQuot

Simplify quotient

\frac{( x + 5 )}{( x - 5 )}

Note that

x = 5

is the value that makes the denominator of the simplified expression equal to

0 .

However, Kevin should have noted that

- 7

makes the original expression undefined. Since the original and simplified expressions are equivalent, both should have the same domain.

Discussion

Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions

Operations with rational numbers and rational expressions are similar.

Multiplying Rational Expressions

Multiplying rational expressions works the same way as multiplying fractions. The numerators and denominators are multiplied separately.

$\frac{P ( x )}{Q ( x )} \cdot \frac{H ( x )}{G ( x )} = \frac{P ( x ) \cdot H ( x )}{Q ( x ) \cdot G ( x )}$

As an example, consider the following product.

\frac{x ^{2} - 2 x - 1 5}{7 x + 4 2} \cdot \frac{x ^{2} + 9 x + 1 8}{x ^{2} - 1 1 x + 3 0}

Three steps can be followed to multiply the rational expressions.

Factor Each Numerator and Denominator

Before multiplying, it is helpful to factor the numerators and denominators, if possible. Start with the first rational expression.

\frac{x ^{2} - 2 x - 1 5}{7 x + 4 2}

Factor the numerator

WriteSum

Write as a sum

\frac{x ^{2} - 5 x + 3 x - 1 5}{7 x + 4 2}

FactorOut

Factor out $x$

\frac{x ( x - 5 ) + 3 x - 1 5}{7 x + 4 2}

FactorOut

Factor out $3$

\frac{x ( x - 5 ) + 3 ( x - 5 )}{7 x + 4 2}

FactorOut

Factor out $(x - 5)$

\frac{( x + 3 ) ( x - 5 )}{7 x + 4 2}

FactorOut

Factor out $7$

\frac{( x + 3 ) ( x - 5 )}{7 ( x + 6 )}

Now the numerator and denominator of the second expression will be factored.

\frac{x ^{2} + 9 x + 1 8}{x ^{2} - 1 1 + 3 0}

Factor the numerator

WriteSum

Write as a sum

\frac{x ^{2} + 6 x + 3 x + 1 8}{x ^{2} - 1 1 + 3 0}

FactorOut

Factor out $x$

\frac{x ( x + 6 ) + 3 x + 1 8}{x ^{2} - 1 1 x + 3 0}

FactorOut

Factor out $3$

\frac{x ( x + 6 ) + 3 ( x + 6 )}{x ^{2} - 1 1 x + 3 0}

FactorOut

Factor out $(x + 6)$

\frac{( x + 3 ) ( x + 6 )}{x ^{2} - 1 1 x + 3 0}

Factor the denominator

WriteDiff

Write as a difference

\frac{( x + 3 ) ( x + 6 )}{x ^{2} - 6 x - 5 x + 3 0}

FactorOut

Factor out $x$

\frac{( x + 3 ) ( x + 6 )}{x ( x - 6 ) - 5 x + 3 0}

FactorOut

Factor out $- 5$

\frac{( x + 3 ) ( x + 6 )}{x ( x - 6 ) - 5 ( x - 6 )}

FactorOut

Factor out $(x - 6)$

\frac{( x + 3 ) ( x + 6 )}{( x - 5 ) ( x - 6 )}

Multiply the Numerators and Multiply the Denominators

Now that both expressions have been factored, the numerators and denominators can be multiplied.

\frac{( x + 3 ) ( x - 5 )}{7 ( x + 6 )} \cdot \frac{( x + 3 ) ( x + 6 )}{( x - 5 ) ( x - 6 )}

MultFrac

Multiply fractions

\frac{( x + 3 ) ( x - 5 ) ( x + 3 ) ( x + 6 )}{7 ( x + 6 ) ( x - 5 ) ( x - 6 )}

The product is undefined when

x = - 6,

x = 5,

and when

x = 6 .

Cancel Out Common Factors

Note that

(x - 5)

and

(x + 6)

are common factors of the numerator and denominator. Finally, the product is simplified by canceling out common factors.

\frac{( x + 3 ) ( x - 5 ) ( x + 3 ) ( x + 6 )}{7 ( x + 6 ) ( x - 5 ) ( x - 6 )}

CancelCommonFac

Cancel out common factors

\frac{( x + 3 ) ( x - 5 ) ( x + 3 ) ( x + 6 )}{7 ( x + 6 ) ( x - 5 ) ( x - 6 )}

SimpQuot

Simplify quotient

\frac{( x + 3 ) ( x + 3 )}{7 ( x - 6 )}

ProdToPowTwoFac

$a \cdot a = a^{2}$

\frac{( x + 3 ) ^{2}}{7 ( x - 6 )}

Considering the denominator of the simplified expression and any other denominator used, the values

x = - 6,

x = 5,

and

x = 6

must be excluded from the domain of the simplified expression. In this expression it is clear that

x = 6

makes the denominator

0 .

Therefore, the fact that

x \neq = 6

will not be expressed.

\frac{( x + 3 ) ^{2}}{7 ( x - 6 )}, x \neq = - 6, x \neq = 5

Dividing Rational Expressions

Dividing two rational expressions is the same as multiplying the first expression by the reciprocal of the second expression.

As an example, consider the quotient of two rational expressions.

\frac{5 - x}{x ^{2} + 3 x} \div \frac{x ^{2} - 2 5}{x ^{2} + 1 0 x + 2 1}

The process of dividing rationals expression can be completed in four steps.

Rewrite the Division as the Product of the Dividend and the Reciprocal of the Divisor

To divide a rational expression by another rational expression, multiply the first expression by the reciprocal of the second.

\frac{5 - x}{x ^{2} + 3 x} \div \frac{x ^{2} - 2 5}{x ^{2} + 1 0 x + 2 1} ⇕ \frac{5 - x}{x ^{2} + 3 x} \cdot \frac{x ^{2} + 1 0 x + 2 1}{x ^{2} - 2 5}

Once the quotient is expressed as a product, the remaining steps are the same as those for multiplying rational expressions.

Factor Each Numerator and Denominator

Factor the numerators and the denominators, if possible. The first expression will be factored first.

\frac{5 - x}{x ^{2} + 3 x}

FactorOut

Factor out $x$

\frac{5 - x}{x ( x + 3 )}

Now the numerator and the denominator of the second expression will be factored.

\frac{x ^{2} + 1 0 x + 2 1}{x ^{2} - 2 5}

Factor the numerator

WriteSum

Write as a sum

\frac{x ^{2} + 3 x + 7 x + 2 1}{x ^{2} - 2 5}

FactorOut

Factor out $x$

\frac{x ( x + 3 ) + 7 x + 2 1}{x ^{2} - 2 5}

FactorOut

Factor out $7$

\frac{x ( x + 3 ) + 7 ( x + 3 )}{x ^{2} - 2 5}

FactorOut

Factor out $(x + 3)$

\frac{( x + 3 ) ( x + 7 )}{x ^{2} - 2 5}

Factor the denominator

WritePow

Write as a power

\frac{( x + 3 ) ( x + 7 )}{x ^{2} - 5 ^{2}}

ExpandDiffSquares

$(a + b) (a - b) = a^{2} - b^{2}$

\frac{( x + 3 ) ( x + 7 )}{( x + 5 ) ( x - 5 )}

Multiply the Numerators and Multiply the Denominators

Next, the numerators and denominators can be multiplied.

\frac{5 - x}{x ( x + 3 )} \cdot \frac{( x + 3 ) ( x + 7 )}{( x + 5 ) ( x - 5 )} ⇕ \frac{( 5 - x ) ( x + 3 ) ( x + 7 )}{x ( x + 3 ) ( x + 5 ) ( x - 5 )}

This product is undefined when

x = - 5,

x = - 3,

x = 0,

and

x = 5 .

Also, the values that make the divisor's denominator in the original quotient expression equal

0

should be excluded. These values are

x = - 7

and

x = - 3 .

Excluded Values - 7, - 5, - 3, 0, 5

Cancel Out Common Factors

Finally, the product is simplified by canceling out common factors.

\frac{( 5 - x ) ( x + 3 ) ( x + 7 )}{x ( x + 3 ) ( x + 5 ) ( x - 5 )}

FactorOut

Factor out $- 1$

\frac{- 1 ( x - 5 ) ( x + 3 ) ( x + 7 )}{x ( x + 3 ) ( x + 5 ) ( x - 5 )}

CancelCommonFac

Cancel out common factors

\frac{- 1 ( x - 5 ) ( x + 3 ) ( x + 7 )}{x ( x + 3 ) ( x + 5 ) ( x - 5 )}

SimpQuot

Simplify quotient

\frac{- 1 ( x + 7 )}{x ( x + 5 )}

Distr

Distribute $- 1$

\frac{- x - 7}{x ( x + 5 )}

Considering the denominator of the simplified expression and any other denominator used in this process, the values

x = - 7,

x = - 5,

x = - 3,

x = 0,

and

x = 5

must be excluded from the domain of the expression. The simplified expression shows that

x = 0

and

x = - 5

must be excluded, so these values are not mentioned.

\frac{- x - 7}{x ( x + 5 )}, x \neq = - 7, x \neq = - 3, x \neq = 5

Example

Representing Areas with Rational Expressions

Ramsha drew the plan of her house and labeled the sides, measured in meters, as shown.

a Write a simplified rational expression for the area of the house.

b State any restrictions on

x .

Hint

a Start by factoring the numerator and the denominator of each rational expression.

b The denominator of a rational expression cannot be zero.

Solution

a Start by considering the formula for the area of a rectangle.

A = ℓ w

According to the diagram, the length

ℓ

of the house is represented by

\frac{2 x ^{2} - 6 x}{x ^{2} + 1 8 x + 8 1}

and the width

w

\frac{9 x + 8 1}{x ^{2} - 9} .

To write an expression for the area, these two expressions will be substituted into the formula for the area of a rectangle. Both factors will then be factored.

A = ℓ w

SubstituteII

$ℓ = \frac{2 x ^{2} - 6 x}{x ^{2} + 1 8 x + 8 1}$ , $w = \frac{9 x + 8 1}{x ^{2} - 9}$

A = \frac{2 x ^{2} - 6 x}{x ^{2} + 1 8 x + 8 1} \cdot \frac{9 x + 8 1}{x ^{2} - 9}

Factor the first expression

FactorOut

Factor out $2 x$

A = \frac{2 x ( x - 3 )}{x ^{2} + 1 8 x + 8 1} \cdot \frac{9 x + 8 1}{x ^{2} - 9}

SplitIntoFactors

Split into factors

A = \frac{2 x ( x - 3 )}{x ^{2} + 2 ( 9 ) x + 8 1} \cdot \frac{9 x + 8 1}{x ^{2} - 9}

CommutativePropMult

Commutative Property of Multiplication

A = \frac{2 x ( x - 3 )}{x ^{2} + 2 x ( 9 ) + 8 1} \cdot \frac{9 x + 8 1}{x ^{2} - 9}

WritePow

Write as a power

A = \frac{2 x ( x - 3 )}{x ^{2} + 2 x ( 9 ) + 9 ^{2}} \cdot \frac{9 x + 8 1}{x ^{2} - 9}

FacPosPerfectSquare

$a^{2} + 2 a b + b^{2} = (a + b)^{2}$

A = \frac{2 x ( x - 3 )}{( x + 9 ) ^{2}} \cdot \frac{9 x + 8 1}{x ^{2} - 9}

Factor second expression

FactorOut

Factor out $9$

A = \frac{2 x ( x - 3 )}{( x + 9 ) ^{2}} \cdot \frac{9 ( x + 9 )}{x ^{2} - 9}

WritePow

Write as a power

A = \frac{2 x ( x - 3 )}{( x + 9 ) ^{2}} \cdot \frac{9 ( x + 9 )}{x ^{2} - 3 ^{2}}

FacDiffSquares

$a^{2} - b^{2} = (a + b) (a - b)$

A = \frac{2 x ( x - 3 )}{( x + 9 ) ^{2}} \cdot \frac{9 ( x + 9 )}{( x + 3 ) ( x - 3 )}

Now that both expressions have been factored, the common factors can be canceled out.

\frac{2 x ( x - 3 )}{( x + 9 ) ^{2}} \cdot \frac{9 ( x + 9 )}{( x + 3 ) ( x - 3 )}

Simplify

MultFrac

Multiply fractions

\frac{2 x ( x - 3 ) \cdot 9 ( x + 9 )}{( x + 9 ) ^{2} \cdot ( x + 3 ) ( x - 3 )}

PowToProdTwoFac

$a^{2} = a \cdot a$

\frac{2 x ( x - 3 ) \cdot 9 ( x + 9 )}{( x + 9 ) ( x + 9 ) \cdot ( x + 3 ) ( x - 3 )}

CancelCommonFac

Cancel out common factors

\frac{2 x ( x - 3 ) \cdot 9 ( x + 9 )}{( x + 9 ) ( x + 9 ) \cdot ( x + 3 ) ( x - 3 )}

SimpQuot

Simplify quotient

\frac{2 x \cdot 9}{( x + 9 ) \cdot ( x + 3 )}

Multiply

\frac{1 8 x}{( x + 9 ) ( x + 3 )}

This rational expression, which is written in its simplest form, represents the area of Ramsha's house.

b To identify the restrictions, the denominator of the simplified expression and any other denominator used in this process will be analyzed. For simplicity, their factored forms will be used.

Denominator	Restrictions on the Denominator	Restrictions on the Variable
$(x + 9)^{2}$	$(x + 9)^{2} \neq = 0$	$x \neq = - 9$
$(x + 3) (x - 3)$	$x + 3 \neq = 0$ and $x - 3 \neq = 0$	$x \neq = - 3$ and $x \neq = 3$
$(x + 9) (x + 3)$	$x + 9 \neq = 0$ and $x + 3 \neq = 0$	$x \neq = - 9$ and $x \neq = - 3$

There are three unique restrictions on the variable

x .

x \neq = - 9, x \neq = - 3, x \neq = 3

Example

Determining the Type With the Best Efficiency Ratio

Companies aim to produce packaging using the lowest possible amount of material. They produce their packages in such a way that the ratio of the surface area

S

of a package to its volume

V

is as small as possible.

Efficiency Ratio : \frac{S}{V}

A company is designing two different types of packages. The table shows the expressions for their surface areas and volumes.

	Surface Area, $S$	Volume, $V$
Type I	$\frac{x ^{3} - x ^{2}}{4 x ^{4} + 1 2 x ^{3}}$	$\frac{x ^{2} - 2 x + 1}{x ^{3} + 3 x ^{2}}$
Type II	$\frac{2 x ^{2} - 9 x - 1 8}{4 x ^{2} - 2 8 x + 2 4}$	$2 x^{2} + x - 3$

a Find the efficiency ratio of each type.

b Which type is more efficient when

x = 2 ?

Hint

a Start by factoring each denominator and numerator, if possible. Recall that all denominators must be different than

0 .

b Substitute the given value for

x

into each rational expression found in Part A. The smaller the ratio, the more efficient the packaging.

Solution

a To find the efficiency ratios, the ratio of the surface area to the volume will be found for each packaging type. First, the efficiency ratio of Type I will be calculated.

\frac{x ^{3} - x ^{2}}{4 x ^{4} + 1 2 x ^{3}} \div \frac{x ^{2} - 2 x + 1}{x ^{3} + 3 x ^{2}}

To divide rational expressions, multiply the first expression by the reciprocal of the second expression.

\frac{x ^{3} - x ^{2}}{4 x ^{4} + 1 2 x ^{3}} \div \frac{x ^{2} - 2 x + 1}{x ^{3} + 3 x ^{2}} ⇕ \frac{x ^{3} - x ^{2}}{4 x ^{4} + 1 2 x ^{3}} \cdot \frac{x ^{3} + 3 x ^{2}}{x ^{2} - 2 x + 1}

To multiply these expressions, begin by factoring the numerators and the denominators of each expression, if possible. Start with the first rational expression.

\frac{x ^{3} - x ^{2}}{4 x ^{4} + 1 2 x ^{3}}

FactorOut

Factor out $x^{2}$

\frac{x ^{2} ( x - 1 )}{4 x ^{4} + 1 2 x ^{3}}

FactorOut

Factor out $4 x^{3}$

\frac{x ^{2} ( x - 1 )}{4 x ^{3} ( x + 3 )}

Now the second rational expression will be factored.

\frac{x ^{3} + 3 x ^{2}}{x ^{2} - 2 x + 1}

FactorOut

Factor out $x^{2}$

\frac{x ^{2} ( x + 3 )}{x ^{2} - 2 x + 1}

Factor denominator

IdPropMult

Identity Property of Multiplication

\frac{x ^{2} ( x + 3 )}{x ^{2} - 2 x ( 1 ) + 1}

WritePow

Write as a power

\frac{x ^{2} ( x + 3 )}{x ^{2} - 2 x ( 1 ) + 1 ^{2}}

ExpandNegPerfectSquare

$(a - b)^{2} = a^{2} - 2 a b + b^{2}$

\frac{x ^{2} ( x + 3 )}{( x - 1 ) ^{2}}

Next the factored rational expressions will be multiplied and the common factors canceled.

\frac{x ^{2} ( x - 1 )}{4 x ^{3} ( x + 3 )} \cdot \frac{x ^{2} ( x + 3 )}{( x - 1 ) ^{2}}

MultFrac

Multiply fractions

\frac{x ^{2} ( x - 1 ) x ^{2} ( x + 3 )}{4 x ^{3} ( x + 3 ) ( x - 1 ) ^{2}}

Simplify

Write power as a product

\frac{x ^{2} ( x - 1 ) x \cdot x ( x + 3 )}{4 x ^{2} \cdot x ( x + 3 ) ( x - 1 ) ( x - 1 )}

CancelCommonFac

Cancel out common factors

\frac{x ^{2} ( x - 1 ) x \cdot x ( x + 3 )}{4 x ^{2} \cdot x ( x + 3 ) ( x - 1 ) ( x - 1 )}

SimpQuot

Simplify quotient

\frac{x}{4 ( x - 1 )}

The efficiency ratio of Type I is

\frac{x}{4 ( x - 1 )} .

The efficiency ratio of the Type II packages can be found by following a similar process.

\frac{2 x ^{2} - 9 x - 1 8}{4 x ^{2} - 2 8 x + 2 4} \div (2 x^{2} + x - 3)

To divide a rational expression by polynomial, the first expression is multiplied by the reciprocal of the polynomial.

\frac{2 x ^{2} - 9 x - 1 8}{4 x ^{2} - 2 8 x + 2 4} \div (2 x^{2} + x - 3) ⇕ \frac{2 x ^{2} - 9 x - 1 8}{4 x ^{2} - 2 8 x + 2 4} \cdot \frac{1}{2 x ^{2} + x - 3}

The table shows the steps taken to perform the multiplication.

	Multiplying Rational Expressions
Product	$\frac{2 x ^{2} - 9 x - 1 8}{4 x ^{2} - 2 8 x + 2 4} \cdot \frac{1}{2 x ^{2} + x - 3}$
Factor	$\frac{( 2 x + 3 ) ( x - 6 )}{4 ( x - 1 ) ( x - 6 )} \cdot \frac{1}{( 2 x + 3 ) ( x - 1 )}$
Multiply	$\frac{( 2 x + 3 ) ( x - 6 )}{4 ( x - 1 ) ( x - 6 ) ( 2 x + 3 ) ( x - 1 )}$
Cancel Out Common Factors	$\frac{( 2 x + 3 ) ( x - 6 )}{4 ( x - 1 ) ( x - 6 ) ( 2 x + 3 ) ( x - 1 )}$
Simplify	$\frac{1}{4 ( x - 1 ) ^{2}}$

The efficiency ratio of Type II is $\frac{1}{4 ( x - 1 ) ^{2}}$

b In Part A, the efficiency ratio of each type was found. Now, these ratios will be evaluated for

x = 2 .

	Type I	Type II
Efficiency Ratio	$\frac{x}{4 ( x - 1 )}$	$\frac{1}{4 ( x - 1 ) ^{2}}$
Substitute	$\frac{2}{4 ( 2 - 1 )}$	$\frac{1}{4 ( 2 - 1 ) ^{2}}$
Evaluate	$\frac{1}{2}$	$\frac{1}{4}$

Recall that the smaller the ratio, the more efficient the packaging. Therefore, Type II is more efficient because $\frac{1}{4} < \frac{1}{2} .$

Discussion

Complex Fractions

A complex fraction is a rational expression where the numerator, denominator, or both, contain a rational expression.

$\frac{\frac{p ( x )}{r ( x )}}{\frac{q ( x )}{m ( x )}}$

Here,

p (x),

r (x),

q (x),

and

m (x)

are polynomials. A complex fraction can be simplified by rewriting it as a quotient and then dividing the rational expressions.

\frac{\frac{p ( x )}{r ( x )}}{\frac{q ( x )}{m ( x )}} \Leftrightarrow \frac{p ( x )}{r ( x )} \div \frac{q ( x )}{m ( x )}

As an example of a complex fraction, consider the following division of rational expressions.

\frac{\frac{x ^{2} - 2 x + 4}{x ^{2} - y ^{2}}}{\frac{x - y}{x + y}} \Leftrightarrow \frac{x ^{2} - 2 x + 4}{x ^{2} - y ^{2}} \div \frac{x - y}{x + y}

Example

Surface Area to Volume Ratio of Penguins

Animals adapt to their environment. As a result of adaptations, the surface area and volume of animals vary depending on where they live. For example, penguins have a lower surface area to volume ratio to conserve their body heat.

External credits: @macrovector

Suppose that the surface area

S

and volume

V

of a penguin are approximated by the following rational expressions.

S V = \frac{2 π r ^{3} + 2 π r ^{2} h}{3 r - 6} = \frac{π r ^{4} h - 2 π r ^{3} h}{3 r ^{2} - 1 2 r + 1 2}

Simplify the complex fraction

\frac{S}{V} .

Hint

Start by rewriting the complex fraction as a division expression and then divide the rational expressions.

Solution

The ratio of the surface area

S

of a penguin to its volume

V

needs to be simplified.

\frac{\frac{2 π r ^{3} + 2 π r ^{2} h}{3 r - 6}}{\frac{π r ^{4} h - 2 π r ^{3} h}{3 r ^{2} - 1 2 r + 1 2}}

This complex fraction can be rewritten as a division expression.

\frac{2 π r ^{3} + 2 π r ^{2} h}{3 r - 6} \div \frac{π r ^{4} h - 2 π r ^{3} h}{3 r ^{2} - 1 2 r + 1 2}

Dividing two rational expressions is the same as multiplying the first expression by the reciprocal of the second expression.

\frac{2 π r ^{3} + 2 π r ^{2} h}{3 r - 6} \div \frac{π r ^{4} h - 2 π r ^{3} h}{3 r ^{2} - 1 2 r + 1 2} ⇕ \frac{2 π r ^{3} + 2 π r ^{2} h}{3 r - 6} \cdot \frac{3 r ^{2} - 1 2 r + 1 2}{π r ^{4} h - 2 π r ^{3} h}

Now the multiplication can be performed. To do so, begin by factoring the numerators and denominators of each expression, if possible. The first expression will be factored first.

\frac{2 π r ^{3} + 2 π r ^{2} h}{3 r - 6}

FactorOut

Factor out $2 π r^{2}$

\frac{2 π r ^{2} ( r + h )}{3 r - 6}

FactorOut

Factor out $3$

\frac{2 π r ^{2} ( r + h )}{3 ( r - 2 )}

Now the second rational expression will be factored.

\frac{3 r ^{2} - 1 2 r + 1 2}{π r ^{4} h - 2 π r ^{3} h}

Factor the numerator

FactorOut

Factor out $3$

\frac{3 ( r ^{2} - 4 r + 4 )}{π r ^{4} h - 2 π r ^{3} h}

SplitIntoFactors

Split into factors

\frac{3 ( r ^{2} - 2 ( 2 ) r + 4 )}{π r ^{4} h - 2 π r ^{3} h}

CommutativePropMult

Commutative Property of Multiplication

\frac{3 ( r ^{2} - 2 r ( 2 ) + 4 )}{π r ^{4} h - 2 π r ^{3} h}

WritePow

Write as a power

\frac{3 ( r ^{2} - 2 r ( 2 ) + 2 ^{2} )}{π r ^{4} h - 2 π r ^{3} h}

ExpandNegPerfectSquare

$(a - b)^{2} = a^{2} - 2 a b + b^{2}$

\frac{3 ( r - 2 ) ^{2}}{π r ^{4} h - 2 π r ^{3} h}

FactorOut

Factor out $π r^{2} h$

\frac{3 ( r - 2 ) ^{2}}{π r ^{3} h ( r - 2 )}

Next, the numerators and denominators are multiplied and the common factors are eliminated.

\frac{2 π r ^{2} ( r + h )}{3 ( r - 2 )} \cdot \frac{3 ( r - 2 ) ^{2}}{π r ^{3} h ( r - 2 )}

MultFrac

Multiply fractions

\frac{2 π r ^{2} ( r + h ) 3 ( r - 2 ) ^{2}}{3 ( r - 2 ) π r ^{3} h ( r - 2 )}

Simplify

Write power as a product

\frac{2 π r ^{2} ( r + h ) 3 ( r - 2 ) ( r - 2 )}{3 ( r - 2 ) π r ^{2} r h ( r - 2 )}

CancelCommonFac

Cancel out common factors

\frac{2 π r ^{2} ( r + h ) 3 ( r - 2 ) ( r - 2 )}{3 ( r - 2 ) π r ^{2} r h ( r - 2 )}

SimpQuot

Simplify quotient

\frac{2 ( r + h )}{r h}

Closure

Finding Combined Fuel Efficiency of a New Car Model

With the methods seen in the lesson, the challenge given at the beginning can finally be solved. Recall the combined fuel economy formula.

C = \frac{1}{\frac{1}{2} ( \frac{1}{x} + \frac{1}{y} )}

In the formula,

x

represents miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and

y

represents miles per gallon on the highway.

a If a car travels

28

mpg in the city and

36

mpg on the highway, what is the combined fuel economy for the car?

b Let

x

be the city fuel economy for a new car model. If the highway fuel economy, in terms of

x,

\frac{1 0 x}{x - 2 0},

write a simplified expression for the combined fuel economy for such a car.

Hint

a Substitute the given values and evaluate the formula.

b Substitute the given expression for

y

and simplify it. When

1

is divided by a rational expression, the result is the reciprocal of the the rational expression.

Solution

a A car travels at

28

mpg in the city and

36

mpg on the highway. The combined fuel economy can be found by substituting these values into the given formula.

C = \frac{1}{\frac{1}{2} ( \frac{1}{x} + \frac{1}{y} )}

SubstituteII

$x = 28$ , $y = 36$

C = \frac{1}{\frac{1}{2} ( \frac{1}{2 8} + \frac{1}{3 6} )}

Simplify denominator

ExpandFrac

$\frac{a}{b} = \frac{a \cdot 9}{b \cdot 9}$

C = \frac{1}{\frac{1}{2} ( \frac{9}{2 5 2} + \frac{1}{3 6} )}

ExpandFrac

$\frac{a}{b} = \frac{a \cdot 7}{b \cdot 7}$

C = \frac{1}{\frac{1}{2} ( \frac{9}{2 5 2} + \frac{7}{2 5 2} )}

AddFrac

Add fractions

C = \frac{1}{\frac{1}{2} ( \frac{1 6}{2 5 2} )}

MultFrac

Multiply fractions

C = \frac{1}{\frac{1 6}{5 0 4}}

DivOneByFracD

$\frac{1}{a / b} = \frac{b}{a}$

C = \frac{5 0 4}{1 6}

CalcQuot

Calculate quotient

C = 31.5

The combined fuel economy for the car is

31.5

miles per gallon.

b In this case, the rational expression

\frac{1 0 x}{x - 2 0}

will be substituted for

y .

C = \frac{1}{\frac{1}{2} ( \frac{1}{x} + \frac{1}{\frac{1 0 x}{x - 2 0}} )}

Recall that when

1

is divided by a rational expression, the result is the reciprocal of the the rational expression. This fact can be used twice to simplify the right-hand side of the equation.

C = \frac{1}{\frac{1}{2} ( \frac{1}{x} + \frac{1}{\frac{1 0 x}{x - 2 0}} )}

Simplify denominator

DivOneByFracSL

$1 / \frac{a}{b} = \frac{b}{a}$

C = \frac{1}{\frac{1}{2} ( \frac{1}{x} + \frac{x - 2 0}{1 0 x} )}

ExpandFrac

$\frac{a}{b} = \frac{a \cdot 1 0}{b \cdot 1 0}$

C = \frac{1}{\frac{1}{2} ( \frac{1 0}{1 0 x} + \frac{x - 2 0}{1 0 x} )}

AddFrac

Add fractions

C = \frac{1}{\frac{1}{2} ( \frac{x - 1 0}{1 0 x} )}

MultFrac

Multiply fractions

C = \frac{1}{\frac{x - 1 0}{2 0 x}}

DivOneByFracSL

$1 / \frac{a}{b} = \frac{b}{a}$

C = \frac{2 0 x}{x - 1 0}

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Catch-Up and Review

Challenge

Combined Fuel Efficiency

Discussion

Rational Expression

Pop Quiz

Determining Values That Make a Rational Expression Undefined

Discussion

Simplifying Rational Expressions

Example

Finding the Domain of Rational Expressions

Hint

Solution

Discussion

Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions

Multiplying Rational Expressions

Dividing Rational Expressions

Example

Representing Areas with Rational Expressions

Hint

Solution

Example

Determining the Type With the Best Efficiency Ratio

Hint

Solution

Discussion

Complex Fractions

Example

Surface Area to Volume Ratio of Penguins

Hint

Solution

Closure

Finding Combined Fuel Efficiency of a New Car Model

Hint

Solution