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how do you simplify a rational expression?

 Oct 22, 2014

Best Answer 

 #1
avatar+23254 
+5

Look at both the numerator and the denominator. If you can find a number that divides evenly into both, divide that number out of both the numerator and the denominator.

You now have a reduced fraction. Now, go back and do the previous step again and again, until you can't do it anymore.

For example:    210 / 378

Since they are both even, 2 will divide into both the numerator and the denominator; after dividing each by 2:

  =    105 / 189

They aren't even, so 2 won't work again, try 3:

  =    35 / 63

If you try 3 again, it won't work (35 isn't divisible by 3); 5 won't work (63 isn't divisible by 5), but 7 will:

  =  5 / 9.

No more numbers work; you're done!

 Oct 22, 2014
 #1
avatar+23254 
+5
Best Answer

Look at both the numerator and the denominator. If you can find a number that divides evenly into both, divide that number out of both the numerator and the denominator.

You now have a reduced fraction. Now, go back and do the previous step again and again, until you can't do it anymore.

For example:    210 / 378

Since they are both even, 2 will divide into both the numerator and the denominator; after dividing each by 2:

  =    105 / 189

They aren't even, so 2 won't work again, try 3:

  =    35 / 63

If you try 3 again, it won't work (35 isn't divisible by 3); 5 won't work (63 isn't divisible by 5), but 7 will:

  =  5 / 9.

No more numbers work; you're done!

geno3141 Oct 22, 2014

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