Simplifying Rational Expressions (Grade 11)

This video shows how to take an ugly-looking rational expression, and how to simplify it. It also shows, out of necessity, how to state restrictions.

Steps to simplify a rational expression:

1. Factor the top (numerator) and bottom (denominator) of the expression as much as you can
2. Cancel out factors (terms) that appear in both the top and bottom
3. Write the simplified expression (the same as the one from Step 1, with some terms cancelled out)
4. State restrictions. What values of x would have made the denominator of the original expression equal 0? x is not allowed to be those values.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Simplifying
• Rational
• Expressions
• MCR3U

[razzle242]

@choclategirl125 same and im in 7th!

[choclategirl125]

my teacher gives this work and im in 8th grade!

[rooroo12345678]

at 3:20, you say x^2-7x-12 factors to 2 negatives, i think you meant to have it be +12 and not -12...

[mekideslol]

I understand better! Thank you!! :)

[britMW226]

thnk you so much for actually explaing this! so may teachers just assign work and dont explain way helpful!

[ACEBOY00]

@StraightFromToronto tdot math teachers suck -_- ive only had one good teacher my whole life

[StraightFromToronto]

can u please teach at my school, my math teacher is so much worse than u :(

[QwertyQuy]

You went into great depth - really informative.

Thanks!

[tetengoenmipoder]

Wow! Thanks a lot for explaining. I finally grasped the logic of finding out what the restrictons are. I felt like I was able to go through a door I hadn't been able to open.