Warm up: Factor & List which process(es) you used.

2 236 9x y

2 220x xy y

216 24 9y y

5 10 4 8xy x y

Homework Questions?

Pg. 664 # 14 – 31

12-1 Simplifying Rational Expressions

Objective: To simplify rational expressions.

Standard 12.0

Excluded ValuesExcluded Values: values that make the denominator

zero (because we cannot divide by zero).Always find the excluded values BEFORE you cancel anything out.

Examples: State the excluded values

29

( 2)( 3)

x

x x 2x 3x 2

4

4

a

a 2a 2a

Steps

1. Factor top and bottom of fraction separately1. GCF

2. Binomial: Difference of 2 squares

3. Trinomial: X-Box, Perfect Square trinomial

2. Find excluded values (denominator 0)

3. Cancel out factors (what top and bottom have in common)

Example 1

( 4)( 3)

( 4)(3 )

a a

a a

1

( 4)( 3)

( 4)( 3 )

a a

a a

( 4)( 3)

1( ))( 34

a a

a a

4

4

a

a

Excluded values: 4a 3a

Homework

Simplifying Fractions worksheet

Math Lab Warm up: Factor

2 29 81x y2 225x y

2 6 9y y 5 10 4 8xy x y

Steps

1. Factor top and bottom of fraction separately1. GCF

2. Binomial: Difference of 2 squares

3. Trinomial: X-Box, Perfect Square trinomial

2. Find excluded values (denominator 0)

3. Cancel out factors (what top and bottom have in common)

Excluded ValuesExcluded Values: values that make the denominator

zero (because we cannot divide by zero).Always find the excluded values BEFORE you cancel anything out.

Examples: State the excluded values

29

( 3)( 5)

x

x x x 3x 5x

2

5

25

a

a 5a 5a

0x