CHAPTER R SECTION 2

Chapter R: A Review of Basic Concepts and Skills

Section 1: The Language, Notation, and Numbers of Mathematics
Learning Objectives:
A. Identify sets of numbers, graph real numbers, and use set notation
B. Use inequality symbols and order relations
C. Use the absolute value of a real number
D. Apply the order of operations

A. Sets of Numbers, Graphing Real Numbers, and Set Notation

Definition: The set of natural numbers, N, are those numbers used to count physical objects:
1, 2, 3, and so on.

Definition: Set notation can be used to list or describe a set of numbers. Braces { } group
members or elements of the set, while commas separate members and three dots, called an
ellipsis, indicate the pattern continues indefinitely.

Definition: The null set or empty set,  , is a set having no elements.

Example: List the set of natural numbers that are

a. less than 15

b. between 46 and 51

c. greater than or equal to 3

Definition: The set of natural numbers combined with zero produce the set of whole numbers,
W = {0, 1, 2, 3, …}.

Definition: A subset is a set in which every element of the set is also an element of another set.
The symbol  means “is a subset of”.
SECTION 2 CHAPTER R

Example: Given A = {2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12}, B = {10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15}, and C = {12}, determine
whether the following statements are true or false. Justify your response.

a. 8  B

b. C  A

c. B  A

d. 𝐴 ⊂ 𝑅

Definition: The set of integers combines zero with the natural numbers and their opposites,
Z = {… , –3, –2, –1, 0, 1, 2, 3, …}.

Definition: The location and magnitude of a number (in relation to other numbers) can be
visualized using a number line. The coordinate is the number that corresponds to a given point
on the number line. A number line is referred to as a one-dimensional graph.

Definition: The rational numbers 𝑄, consist of all numbers that can be written as a fraction
with an integer numerator and a nonzero integer denominator.

Example: Graph the fractions by converting to decimal form and estimating their location
between two integers:

a. 4 56

b.  98

Definition: A terminating decimal is a decimal that terminates.

Definition: A repeating and nonterminating decimal is a decimal that results in a single digit
or group of digits repeating indefinitely.
 CHAPTER R SECTION 2

Definition: The set of numbers with nonrepeating and nonterminating decimal expansions is
called the set of irrational numbers, H.

Example: Use a calculator as needed to approximate the value of each number given (round to
100ths), then graph them on the number line:

a. 
4

b.  15

Definition: The set of rational numbers combined with the set of irrational numbers produces the
set of real numbers 𝑅.

Example: List the numbers in the set M  { 6.5,  3 8,0, 72 , e, 6,5} that belong to

a. Q

b. W

c. H

d. Z
SECTION 2 CHAPTER R

Example: Determine whether the statements are true or false. Justify your response.

a. 𝑁 ⊂ 𝐻

b. 𝑍 ⊂ 𝑄

B. Inequality Symbols and Order Relations

Order Property of Real Numbers

Given any two real numbers a and b:

1. a < b if a is to the left of b on the number line.
2. a > b if a is to the right of b on the number line.

Definition: A variable is a symbol, commonly a letter of the alphabet, used to represent an

unknown quantity.

Definition: An endpoint is a number that marks the limit or boundary of an interval.

Example: Use a variable and an inequality symbol to represent the statement: The USDA
categorizes a food “organic” if it is made with at least 95% organic ingredients.

C. The Absolute Value of a Real Number

Definition: The absolute value of a number x is the size of the number, and is denoted as x .
The absolute value can be thought of as its distance from zero on the number line, regardless of
the direction.
 CHAPTER R SECTION 2

Example: In the table shown, the absolute value of a number is given in column 1. Complete
the remaining columns.

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4

(In Symbols) (Spoken) (Result) (Reason)
 4.8
 65
9
4

Absolute Value

For any real number x,

 x if x  0
x 
  x if x  0

Example: Find the distance between – 10 and – 2 on the number line.

D. The Order of Operation

Example: Rewrite each quotient using the related product.

0
a. x
32

b. 15  0  m

24
c.  a
0
SECTION 2 CHAPTER R

Division and Zero

0
The quotient of zero and any nonzero number n is zero (n  0): 0  n  0 and 0.
n
n
The expressions n  0 and are undefined.
0

Note: The special case 0

0 is said to be indeterminate, as 0
0  n appears to be true for all real
numbers, n.

Squares, Cubes, and Exponential Form

Definition: When a number a is repeatedly multiplied by itself n times, the result can be written
in exponential notation, a n . a is called the base and the superscript n is called the exponent.

Definition: Numbers that result from squaring an integer are called perfect squares.
Numbers that result from cubing an integer are called perfect cubes.

Example: Write each exponential in expanded form, then determine its value.

a.   5 
4

b.  54

 34 
5
c.

  34 
5
d.

Definition: For the root operation, n a , the symbol is called a radical, the number a under
the radical is called the radicand, and the small number n is called the index.

Square Roots

 a
2
For a  0 , a  b if b2  a . This indicates that a  a  a or a.
 CHAPTER R SECTION 2

Cube Roots

 a
3
For 𝑎 ∈ 𝑅, 3
a  b if b3  a . This indicates that 3
a  3 a  3 a  a or 3
 a.

Example: Determine the value of each expression.

a. 36

b.  25
81

3
c. 64

d. 3  27
8

The Order of Operations

1. Simplify within grouping symbols (parentheses, brackets, braces, etc.). If there are “nested”
grouping symbols, begin with the innermost group. If a fraction bar is used, simplify the
numerator and denominator separately.
2. Evaluate all exponents and roots.
3. Compute all multiplications or divisions in the order they occur from left to right.
4. Compute all additions or subtractions in the order they occur from left to right.

Example: Simplify using the order of operations:

a.  4  3  2 16
2

251  4  3
b.
2  5 25  9
SECTION 2 CHAPTER R

Chapter R: A Review of Basic Concepts and Skills

Section 2: Algebraic Expressions and the Properties of Real Numbers
Learning Objectives:
A. Identify terms, coefficients, and expressions
B. Create mathematical models
C. Evaluate algebraic expressions
D. Identify and use properties of real numbers
E. Simplify algebraic expressions

A. Graph a Linear Equation Using the Intercept Method

Definition: An algebraic term is a collection of factors that may include numbers, variables, or
expressions within parentheses.

Definition: If a term consists of a number only, it is called a constant term.

Definition: Any term that contains a variable is called a variable term.

Definition: The constant factor of a term is called the numerical coefficient or the coefficient.

Definition: An algebraic expression can be a single term or a sum or difference of terms.

Example: State the number of terms in each expression as given, then identify the coefficient of
each term.

a. 3x 2  7 x  1

x4
b.
5

c. 9  y  6   3 y

B. Translating Written or Verbal Information into a Mathematical Model

Definition: Variables that remind us of what they represent are called descriptive variables.
 CHAPTER R SECTION 2

Example: Assign a variable to the unknown number, then translate each phrase into an algebraic
expression.

a. eighteen less than double the height

b. one-third the time decreased by six

Example: The cooking time is 1 hour, plus 15 minutes for every pound of meat. Express the
cooking time in terms of the number of pounds of meat.

C. Evaluating Algebraic Expressions

Evaluating a Mathematical Expression

1. Replace each variable with open parentheses ( ).

2. Substitute the values given for each variable.
3. Simplify using the order of operations.

Definition: The numbers substituted or “plugged into” the expression are called the input values.

Definition: The results after input values have been substituted into the expression are called
output values.

Example: Evaluate the expression 2x2  8xy  3x  9 y for x  3 and y   1 .

SECTION 2 CHAPTER R

Example: Evaluate  x2  6x  7 to complete the table shown. Which input value(s) of x cause
the expression to have an output of 0?

Input Output
x  x2  6 x  7
–2
–1
0
1
2

D. Properties of Real Numbers

The Commutative Properties

Given that a and b represent real numbers:

ADDITION: a  b  b  a
Terms can be added in any order without changing the sum.

MULTIPLICATION: a  b  b  a
Factors can be multiplied in any order without changing the product.

The Associative Properties

Given that a, b, and c represent real numbers:

ADDITION:  a  b   c  a   b  c 
Terms can be regrouped.

MULTIPLICATION:  a  b   c  a   b  c 
Factors can be regrouped.
 CHAPTER R SECTION 2

Example: Use the commutative and associative properties to simplify each calculation.

a.   1   4  
2 3

5   5 

b. 4  5 
3
 4

The Additive and Multiplicative Identities

Given that x is a real number,

x0 x
Zero is the identity for addition.

1 x  x
One is the identity for multiplication.

The Additive and Multiplicative Inverses

Given that x is a real number  x  0 :

x   x  0
x and – x are additive inverses.

x  1x  1
x and 1x are multiplicative inverses.

Example: Replace the box to create a true statement.

a.  5.6  x  x

5
b.  x  x
6
SECTION 2 CHAPTER R

The Distributive Property of Multiplication over Addition

Given that a, b, and c represent real numbers:

a  b  c   ab  ac
A factor outside a sum can be distributed to each addend in the sum.

ab  ac  a  b  c 
A factor common to each addend in a sum can be “undistributed” and written outside a
group.

Example: Apply the distributive property. Simplify if possible.

a.  54  4 x  5

b. 4 y 2  5 y 2

E. Applications of Linear Equations

Definition: Two terms are like terms only if they have the same variable factors (the coefficient
is not used to identify like terms).

Definition: We simplify expressions by combining like terms using the distributive property,
along with the commutative and associative properties.

To Simplify an Expression

1. Eliminate parentheses by applying the distributive property.

2. Use the commutative and associative properties to group like terms.
3. Use the distributive property to combine like terms.

Example: Simplify the expression completely: 1

2  4x 2
 9 x  3   x2  8x  72 
 CHAPTER R SECTION 3

Chapter R: A Review of Basic Concepts and Skills

Section 3: Exponents, Scientific Notation, and a Review of Polynomials
Learning Objectives:
A. Apply properties of exponents
B. Perform operations in scientific notation
C. Identify and classify polynomial expressions
D. Add and subtract polynomials
E. Compute the product of two polynomials
F. Compute special products: binomial conjugates and binomial squares

A. The Properties of Exponents

Definition: An exponent is a superscript number or letter occurring to the upper right of a base
number, and indicates how many times the base occurs as a factor.

Exponential Notation

For any positive integer n, b n  b  b  b   b and b  b  b   b  bn .

n times n times

Product Property of Exponents

For any base b and positive integers m and n: bm bn  bm  n

Power Property of Exponents

For any base b and positive integers m and n:  b m   b m  n

n

Example: Compute the product: 11x 2   x 4 

2
SECTION 3 CHAPTER R

Product to a Power Property

a b 
p
For any bases a and b, and positive integers m, n, and p: m n
 a m p bn p

Quotient to a Power Property

 ab 
p
For any bases a and b ≠ 0, and positive integers m, n, and p:  abn p
m mp
n

3
 4 x2 
Example: Simplify using the power property (if possible):  
 5y 

Example: The formula for the volume of a cone is V  13  r 2 h , where r is the radius of the
circular base and h is the height of the cone. If the height is twice the radius, h = 2r, find a
formula for the volume in terms of r. Then find the volume if r = 6 in.

Quotient Property of Exponents

bm
For any base b ≠ 0 and positive integers m and n:  bm  n .
bn

Property of Negative Exponents

n n
n 1 1 a b
For any base b ≠ 0 and integer n: b  n ,  n  bn , and      ; a  0.
b b b a
Zero Exponent Property
 CHAPTER R SECTION 3

For any base b ≠ 0: b 0  1 .

Example: Simplify using exponential properties. Answer using positive exponents only.

a.  2 xy   5x 
4 3 2 1

b.
a2 4  3
b 
a 5 3 7
b 

B. Exponents and Scientific Notation

Scientific Notation

A nonzero number written in scientific notation has the form N  10k where 1  N  10 and k is an
integer.

Example: At perihelion, the inner most distance of a planets orbit, Saturn is approximately
838,700,000 miles from the sun. Write the number in scientific notation.

Example: The average orbit velocity of Saturn is 9.6391 × 104 m/s. Write this number in
common decimal form.
SECTION 3 CHAPTER R

Example: In Oct. 2012, Facebook reported 1,010,000,000 users and 2,700,000,000

likes/comments per day. On average, how many likes/comments does the average user post per
day?

C. Use Function Notation and Evaluate Functions

Definition: A monomial is a single term using only whole number exponents on variables, with
no variables in the denominator.

Definition: The degree of a term in one variable is the same as the exponent on that variable.

Definition: A polynomial is a monomial or any sum or difference of monomial terms.

Definition: The degree of a polynomial in one variable is the largest exponent occurring on the
variable. The degree of a polynomial in more than one variable is the largest sum of exponents
in any one term.

Definition: A polynomial with two terms is called a binomial.

Definition: A polynomial with three terms is called a trinomial.

Example: For each expression:

a. Classify as a monomial, binomial, trinomial, or polynomial.
b. State the degree of the polynomial.
c. Name the coefficient of each term.

Expression Classification Degree Coefficients

8 x  11
2

5xy3
x3  2xy  7 y 2

Definition: A polynomial expression is in standard form when the terms of the polynomial are
written in descending order of degree.

Definition: The coefficient of the highest-degree term is called the leading coefficient.
 CHAPTER R SECTION 3

Example: Write each polynomial in standard form, then identify the leading coefficient.

Expression Standard Form Leading

Coefficient
8 x 2  11  9 x
1  74 y 2  5 y 3  2 y
2x3  x 4

D. Adding and Subtracting Polynomials

Example: Perform the indicated operation:  1

2
x3  5x2  3x  7    x2  0.5x  4   x3  8x  11

Example: Compute the difference of 15a5  4a3  8a  11 and 8a5  7a 4  6a3  a  2 using a
vertical format.
SECTION 3 CHAPTER R

E. The Product of Two Polynomials

Example: Find the product:  12 b2  48b2  59b  16

Example: Multiply using the distributive property:  m  p  3m  2 p 

The F-O-I-L Method is a method for finding the product of two binomials.

Example: Compute the product using F-O-I-L:  12q  7n 8q  7n 

 CHAPTER R SECTION 3

Example: Compute the product mentally:  4 x  5 3x  1

F. Special Polynomial Products

Definition: For any given binomial, its conjugate is found by using the same two terms with the
opposite sign between them.

Definition: The result of multiplying a binomial and its conjugate is a difference of two
squares.

The Product of a Binomial and Its Conjugate

Given any expression that can be written in the form A + B, the conjugate of the expression is
A – B and their product is the difference of two squares:  A  B  A  B   A2  B 2

Example: Compute the product:  3r  12 s  3r  12 s 

Definition: An expression of the form  a  b  is called a binomial square.

2
The result of
expanding a binomial square is called a perfect square trinomial.

The Square of a Binomial

Given any expression that can be written in the form  A  B  ,

2

1.  A  B   A2  2 AB  B 2
2
SECTION 3 CHAPTER R

2.  A  B   A2  2 AB  B 2
2

Caution: Note the square of a binomial always results in a trinomial (three terms).
In particular,  A  B   A2  B 2 .
2

Example: Find each binomial square without using F-O-I-L.

a.  4 x  7 y 
2

b.  3 a  8
2
 CHAPTER R SECTION 4

Chapter R: A Review of Basic Concepts and Skills

Section 4: Radicals and Rational Exponents
Learning Objectives:
A. Simplify radical expressions of the form n a n
B. Rewrite and simplify radical expressions using rational exponents
C. Use properties of radicals to simplify radical expressions
D. Add and subtract radical expressions
E. Multiply and divide radical expressions; write a radical expression in simplest form
F. Solve applications of the Pythagorean theorem using radicals

A. Simplifying Radical Expressions

Example: Evaluate a 4 for the values given:

a. a = 4

b. a = – 4

The Square Root of a 2 : a 2

For any real number a, a2  a .

Example: Simplify each expression:

a. 625x2 y 4

b. 16 x 2  56 xy  49 y 2
SECTION 4 CHAPTER R

Caution: In Section R.3 we noted that  A  B   A2  B 2 , indicating that you cannot square the
2

individual terms in a sum (the square of a binomial results in a perfect square

trinomial). In a similar way, A2  B 2  A  B , and you cannot take the square root of
individual terms. There is a big difference between the expressions A2  B 2 and
 A  B
2
 A B .

The Cube Root of a 3 : 3 a 3

For any real number a, 3

a3  a .

Example: Simplify each expression:

3
a. 125a 6b9

  x  8
3
b. 3

The nth Root of a n : n a n

For any real number a,

1. n a n  a when n is even.
2. n
a n  a when n is odd.

Example: Simplify each expression:

 6x  1
12
a. 4

5
b. 1024n5

c. 3
343

d. 8
6561x8
 CHAPTER R SECTION 4

B. Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents

Rational Exponents
1
If n
a represents a real number and n  2 is an integer, then n
a  n a1  a n

Example: Simplify by rewriting each radicand as a perfect nth power and converting to rational
exponent notation.

64 p 6
a. 3
125n 3

b.  4 81

1
When a rational exponent is used, as in n a  n a1  a , the denominator of the exponent
n

represents the index number, while the numerator of the exponent represents the original power
on a.

Rational Exponents

If m
n is a rational number expressed in lowest terms with n  2 , then

 a
m m
(1) a  n n
: compute the nth root, then take the mth power,
m
(2) a  n a m : compute the mth power, then take the nth root,
n

provided n a represents a real number.

Example: Simplify each expression, if possible.

 64
3
a. 2

2
b. 343 3
SECTION 4 CHAPTER R

C. Using Properties of Radicals to Simplify Radical Expressions

Product Property of Radicals

If n
A and n
B represent real-valued expressions, then n
AB  n
A  n B and n
An B  n
AB .

Caution: Note that this property applies only to a product of two factors, not to a sum or
difference of terms. In other words, while a 2  a , a 2  b2  a  b !

Example: Write each expression in simplest form using the product property.

6  3 18
a.
12

b.  7 3 32 p 2  3 10 p 2

Quotient Property of Radicals

n n
A A A A
If n
A and n
B represent real-valued expressions with B  0 , then n  n
and n
 n .
B B B B

Example: Write each expression in simplest form using the quotient property.

3
27 w5
a.
12 3 w2

49 a 5
b.
64b 2
 CHAPTER R SECTION 4

Example: Simplify using rational exponents:

a.  9d 2 5 d 3

b. a  7 a4

D. Addition and Subtraction of Radical Expressions

Like radicals are those that have the same index and radicand. Only like radicals can be
combined using addition and subtraction.

Example: Simplify and combine (if possible) 24 x5  7 6 x  x 2 54 x .

E. Multiplication and Division of Radical Expressions;

Radical Expressions in Simplest Form

Example: Compute each product and simplify.

a. 4 x  8 x  7 x3 


b. 7  3x 7  3x  

Definition: Sometimes the denominator is not automatically free of radicals, and the need to
write the radical expression in simplest form comes into play. This process is called
rationalizing the denominator.
SECTION 4 CHAPTER R

Radical Expressions in Simplest Form

A radical expression is in simplest form if:

1. The radicand has no perfect nth-root factors.
2. The radicand contains no fractions.
3. No radicals occur in a denominator.

48
Example: Simplify by rationalizing the denominator. Assume b  0 .
28b

11
Example: Simplify the expression by rationalizing the denominator. Write the answer
5 3
in exact form and approximate form rounded to three decimal places.

F. The Pythagorean Theorem

Definition: The longest side of a right triangle is called the hypotenuse.

Definition: The Pythagorean theorem is a formula that says if you add the square of each leg,
the result will be equal to the square of the hypotenuse.
 CHAPTER R SECTION 4

Pythagorean Theorem

1. For any right triangle with legs a and b and hypotenuse c, a 2  b2  c 2 .

2. For any triangle with sides a, b, and longest side c, if a 2  b2  c 2 , the triangle is a right
triangle.

Example: A new design for an e-book stand is in the shape of a right triangular prism. The
triangular cross-sections have a base 5 in. long and a hypotenuse 8.9 in. long. How tall is the
remaining leg of the triangular cross-sections? Answer in both the exact form using radicals and
the approximate form by rounding to two decimal places.
SECTION 5 CHAPTER R

Chapter R: A Review of Basic Concepts and Skills

Section 5: Factoring Polynomials
Learning Objectives:
A. Factor out the greatest common factor
B. Factor out common binomial factors and factor by grouping
C. Factor quadratic polynomials
D. Factor special forms and quadratic forms
E. Solve applications by factoring

A. The Greatest Common Factor

Definition: To factor an expression means to rewrite the expression as an equivalent product.

Definition: The greatest common factor is the largest factor common to all terms in the
polynomial.

Example: Factor the polynomial 8x6 y  14x4 y  2xy .

B. Common Binomial Factors and Factoring by Grouping

Example: Factor the polynomial x3  2 x  1  x  2 x  1  8  2 x  1

 CHAPTER R SECTION 5

Definition: The process of factoring by grouping involves grouping the terms and then
removing a monomial factor from each subgroup to reveal a common binomial factor.

Example: Factor by grouping: a3  3a 2  5a  15

C. Factoring Quadratic Polynomials

Factoring Trinomials with a Leading Coefficient of 1

If the constant term is positive, the binomials will have like signs:
 x   x   or  x   x   , to match the sign of the linear (middle) term.
If the constant term is negative, the binomials will have unlike signs:
 x   x   , with the larger factor placed in the binomial whose sign matches the linear term.

Example: Factor each expression.

a. 1
2 x 2  52 x  3

b. a3  9a 2  36a

Definition: Prime polynomials are polynomials that cannot be factored.

SECTION 5 CHAPTER R

Example: Factor 4 y 2  25 y  21 using trial and error.

D. Factoring Special Forms and Quadratic Forms

Factoring the Difference of Two Perfect Squares

Given any expression that can be written in the form A2  B2 , A2  B2   A  B  A  B  .

Example: Factor 48b2  108 y2 completely.

Caution: The sum of two squares is prime!

Factoring Perfect Square Trinomials

Given any expression that can be written in the form A2  2 AB  B2 ,

1. A2  2 AB  B 2   A  B 
2

2. A2  2 AB  B 2   A  B 
2
 CHAPTER R SECTION 5

Example: Factor 32 p3  16 p2  2 p

Caution: It is a common error to “leave the GCF behind,” but it must be included at each step of
the factoring process.

Factoring the Sum or Difference of Two Perfect Cubes

Given any expression that can be written in the form A3  B3 ,

1. A3  B3   A  B   A2  AB  B2 
2. A3  B3   A  B   A2  AB  B2 

Example: Factor 27k 3  64 completely.

Definition: A trinomial is in quadratic form if it can be written as a    b   c , where the

2

parentheses “hold” the same factors.

Definition: We can factor these expressions using a placeholder substitution that transforms
them into a more recognizable form. The letter “u” often plays the role of the placeholder.
SECTION 5 CHAPTER R

Example: Write in completely factored form:  2 x  3  5  2 x  3  4

2

E. Applications of Factoring

Example: The surface area of a peanut can is given by the formula S  2 rh  2 r 2 , where r is
the radius of the base of the can and h is the height.

a. Write the formula in completely factored form.

b. Use the result to find the surface area of a peanut can with radius 7 cm and a height of 14 cm.
 CHAPTER R SECTION 6

Chapter R: A Review of Basic Concepts and Skills

Section 6: Rational Expressions
Learning Objectives:
A. Write a rational expression in simplest form
B. Multiply and divide rational expressions
C. Add and subtract rational expressions
D. Simplify compound fractions
E. Rewrite formulas and rational expressions

A. Writing a Rational Expression in Simplest Form

Definition: A rational expression is one that can be written as the quotient of two polynomials.
Rational expressions are sometimes called algebraic fractions.

Definition: A rational expression is in simplest form when the numerator and denominator have
no common factors (other than 1).

Fundamental Property of Rational Expressions

If P, Q, and R are polynomials, with Q, R  0,

PR P
1. 
QR Q
P PR
2. 
Q QR

x 3  2 x 2  9 x  18
Example: Write the expression in simplest form:
x2  5x  6

Caution: When reducing rational numbers or expressions, only common factors

can be reduced. It is incorrect to reduce (or divide out) individual terms.
SECTION 6 CHAPTER R

5  3x
Example: Write the expression in simplest form:
3x  23x  30
2

B. Multiplication and Division of Rational Expressions

Multiplying Rational Expressions

P R PR
Given that P, Q, R, and S are polynomials with Q, S  0 ,  
Q S QS
1. Factor all numerators and denominators completely.
2. Reduce common factors.
3. Multiply numerator × numerator and denominator × denominator.

8 x3  8 x 3x 2  10 x  8
Example: Compute the product: 
3x 2  x  4 x 2  x  2

Dividing Rational Expressions

P R P S PS
Given that P, Q, R, and S are polynomials with Q, R, S  0 ,    
Q S Q R QR
 CHAPTER R SECTION 6

x2  4x  3 3x 3  15 x 2  18 x
Example: Compute the quotient: 
2 x3  10 x 2  12 x 6 x 4  24 x3  72 x 2

Caution: It is a common mistake to think that all factors “cancel,” with “nothing left” and an
answer of zero. Actually, all factors reduce to 1, and the result is a value of 1 for all
inputs where the product is defined.

C. Addition and Subtraction of Rational Expressions

Addition and Subtraction of Rational Expressions

1. Find the LCD of all rational expressions.

2. Build equivalent expressions using the LCD.
3. Add or subtract numerators as indicated.
4. Write the result in lowest terms.

2 3
Example: Perform the operation 
3 2
35b c 7bc3
SECTION 6 CHAPTER R

2 4d  7
Example: Perform the operation  2
2d  5 6d  13d  5

Caution: When the second term in a subtraction has a binomial numerator, be sure the
subtraction is applied to both terms.

D. Simplifying Compound Fractions

Definition: Rational expressions whose numerator or denominator contain a fraction are called
compound fractions.

Simplifying Compound Fractions (Method 1)

1. Add/subtract fractions in the numerator, writing them as a single expression.

2. Add/subtract fractions in the denominator, also writing them as a single expression.
3. Multiply the numerator by the reciprocal of the denominator and simplify if possible.

Simplifying Compound Fractions (Method 2)

1. Find the LCD of all fractions in the numerator and denominator.

2. Multiply the numerator and denominator by this LCD and simplify.
3. Simplify further if possible.
 CHAPTER R SECTION 6

3 1
2

Example: Simplify the compound fraction: 2 x 4 x
1 2

3x x 2

E. Rewriting Formulas and Rational Expressions

1 2
 
Example: Rewrite the expression as a single term: r x  r
x
SECTION 6 CHAPTER R

Example: The Winter USA Triathlon National Championship consists of a 5-km trail run, 10-
km mountain bike ride, and a 5-km Nordic ski. Write an equation to represent the total time it
would take a person to complete a triathlon. If Sam can run at a rate of 12 km/hr, bike at 30
km/hr, and ski at a rate of 30 km/hr, how long did it take him to finish the triathlon.
d
(Hint: The familiar distance = rate × time formula can be rewritten in the form t  .)
r