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audio read-through Multiplying and Dividing Fractions with Variables

To multiply and divide fractions with variables:

$$ \cssId{s4}{\frac{A}{B}\cdot\frac{C}{D}} \cssId{s5}{= \frac{AC}{BD}} $$

(To multiply fractions, multiply ‘across’)

$$ \cssId{s7}{\frac{A}{B}\div\frac{C}{D}} \cssId{s8}{= \frac{A}{B}\cdot\frac{D}{C}} \cssId{s9}{= \frac{AD}{BC}} $$

(To divide by a fraction, instead multiply by its reciprocal)

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Example

Multiply, and write your answer in simplest form:

$$ \cssId{s16}{\frac{x^2-9}{5x^2+20x+15}} \cssId{s17}{\cdot} \cssId{s18}{\frac{x+1}{x+4}} $$
Solution:
$\displaystyle \cssId{s20}{\frac{x^2-9}{5x^2+20x+15}} \cssId{s21}{\cdot} \cssId{s22}{\frac{x+1}{x+4}} $

$\displaystyle \cssId{s23}{=} \cssId{s24}{\frac{(x-3)(x+3)}{5(x^2+4x+3)}} \cssId{s25}{\cdot} \cssId{s26}{\frac{x+1}{x+4}} $
factor: difference of squares (numerator), common factor (denominator)
$ \displaystyle \cssId{s30}{=} \cssId{s31}{\frac{(x-3)(x+3)}{5(x+3)(x+1)}} \cssId{s32}{\cdot} \cssId{s33}{\frac{x+1}{x+4}} $ factor the trinomial in the denominator
$\displaystyle \cssId{s35}{=} \cssId{s36}{\frac{\hphantom{5}(x+1)(x+3)(x-3)}{5(x+1)(x+3)(x+4)}} $ multiply, re-order
$\displaystyle \cssId{s38}{=} \cssId{s39}{\frac{(x-3)}{5(x+4)}} $ cancel the two extra factors of $\,1\,$

It is interesting to compare the original expression (before simplification), and the simplified expression (after cancellation). Although they are equal for almost all values of $\,x\,,$ they do differ a bit, because of the cancellation:

[The next table is best viewed wide. On small screens, please use landscape mode.]

Values of $\,x\,$

Original Expression:

$$ \cssId{s47}{\frac{x^2-9}{5x^2+20x+15} \cdot \frac{x+1}{x+4}} $$

In factored form:

$$ \cssId{s49}{\frac{\hphantom{5}(x+1)(x+3)(x-3)}{5(x+1)(x+3)(x+4)}} $$

Simplified Expression:

$$ \cssId{s51}{\frac{(x-3)}{5(x+4)}} $$
Comparison
$x = -4$ not defined (division by zero) not defined (division by zero) behave the same: both are not defined
$x = -1$ not defined (division by zero) $$ \cssId{s60}{\frac{-1-3}{5(-1+4)} = -\frac{4}{15}} $$ the presence of $\,\frac{x+1}{x+1}\,$ causes a puncture point at $\,x = -1\,$; see the first graph below
$x = -3$ not defined (division by zero) $$ \frac{-3-3}{5(-3+4)} = -\frac{6}{5} $$ the presence of $\,\frac{x+3}{x+3}\,$ causes a puncture point at $\,x = -3\,$; see the first graph below
all other values of $\,x\,$ both defined; values are equal behave the same: values are equal

Graph of
$\displaystyle \cssId{s72}{\frac{\hphantom{5}(x+1)(x+3)(x-3)}{5(x+1)(x+3)(x+4)}} $
a rational expression with puncture points

Graph of:
$\displaystyle \cssId{s74}{\frac{(x-3)}{5(x+4)}} $
a simplified rational expression; no puncture points

Master the ideas from this section by practicing below:

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When you're done practicing, move on to:

Adding and Subtracting Fractions With Variables
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Concept Practice

  1. Choose a specific problem type, or click ‘New problem’ for a random question.
  2. Think about your answer.
  3. Click ‘Check your answer’ to check!

For more advanced students, a graph is available. For example, the expression $\,\frac{x+1}{x+2}\cdot\frac{x+3}{x+1}\,$ is optionally accompanied by the graph of $\,y = \frac{x+1}{x+2}\cdot\frac{x+3}{x+1}\,.$ A puncture point occurs at $\,x = -1\,,$ due to the presence of $\,\frac{x+1}{x+1}\,.$ The graph of the simplified expression would not have this puncture point.

Horizontal/vertical asymptote(s) are shown in light grey. Note: A puncture point may occasionally occur outside the viewing window. Use the arrows in the lower-right graph corner to navigate left/up/down/right.

Click the ‘Show/Hide Graph’ button to toggle the graph.

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