Multiplying

Rational
Algebraic
Expression
Recall Directions: Match the expressions in Column A with its product in
: Column B.
Column A Column B
1. • A.

2. • B.

C.
3. •
D.
4. • E.

5. • F.
3
Recall Directions: Match the expressions in Column A with its product in
: Column B.
Column A Column B
1. • A.

𝟔
2. • 𝟏𝟎
B.

𝟏𝟎 C.
3. • 𝟔𝟎
D.
𝟑𝟔
4. • 𝟏𝟑𝟓 E.

5. • F.
3
DON’T
FORGET
In multiplying rational
algebraic expressions,
either before or after
multiplying, always divide
out the common factors to
attain the product in
Method 1: Divide out Greatest Method 2: Divide Out
Common Monomial Factor Greatest Common Monomial
(GCMF) After Multiplying Factor (GCMF) Before
Multiplying
Step 1: Multiply the numerators
and denominators of the given Step 1. Find the GCMF of
rational algebraic [Link] numerators and
denominators
Step 2: Find the GCMF of the
product of the numerators and Step 2. Divide out the
denominators. GCMF of the numerators
Step 3. Divide out the GCMF of and denominators
the product of numerators and
denominators.
Step 3: Simplify the
Step 4. Simplify the remaining remaining factors.
factors.
Method 1: Divide out Greatest Common Monomial
Factor (GCMF) After Multiplying

Ex. •
1.
Step 1: Multiply the numerators of the
given
rational algebraic expressions.
37x • = Multiply the
numerators
y
2y • 37xy
= Multiply the
denominators
4 8y
Step 2: Find the GCMF of the product of
the
numerators and denominators.
37x = 37• x Look for prime
factors
y8y •
= y2•2•2• Look for prime
factors
y
GCF =
y
Step 3. Divide out the GCMF of the
product of GCF = y
numerators and denominators.
• = Divide out
GCMF
Step 4. Simplify the remaining
factors.
• Product in
= reduced form.
 Method 2: Divide Out Greatest Common Monomial
Factor (GCMF) Before Multiplying
Example 2.
•
Step 1. Find the GCMF of the numerators and
denominators
15y • Look for prime factors of
= 3•5•y• the two numerators.
2y 2•y
Look for prime factors of
2y • = 2•y•5• the two denominators.
x•x Look for common factors
CF = 2 • y from the numerators and
•5 denominators
Step 2. Divide out the GCMF of the
numerators and GCF = 2 • y •
denominators 5 Factorization of
• = • the numerators
and
denominators

= • Divide out GCMF

= Multiply the
numerators
3y Multiply the
• = 𝟐
Product in reduced
denominators
𝒙 form
Method 1: Divide Out Greatest Common Monomial
Factor (GCMF) After Multiplying
𝟐
Ex.1. 𝒙 −𝟒 𝟒
•
𝟐 𝒙 −𝟐
Step 1. Multiply the numerators and
denominators of the given rational
expressions.
(𝒙¿¿𝟐−𝟒)¿( 𝟒) =𝟒 𝒙 −𝟏𝟔
𝟐

(𝟐)( 𝒙 − 𝟐)= 𝟐 𝒙−𝟒 Simplify

-16 = (𝟐 𝒙 -𝟒 𝟐) 𝒙(+𝟒
and
denominator

) - (2 (x +
= (2)(x
2x - = 2)
(2)(x - ) 2)
4 2)
GCM = 2(x -
Step 3: Divide out the GCMF of the product of
numerators )
and denominator.
(𝟐)( 𝒙 −𝟐)(𝟐)( 𝒙 +𝟐)
=
𝟐( 𝒙 − 𝟐)
Step 4:Simplify the remaining
factors.

=(2)(x + = +4
2) 2x
Therefore, the simplest form
of 𝟐
𝒙 −𝟒 𝟒
• = 2x +
𝟐 𝒙 −𝟐
4
 Method 2: Divide Out Greatest Common
Monomial Factor (GCMF) Before Multiplying
Ex.
2.
•
Step 1. Find the GCMF of the of numerators and
denominators

( 𝒙 − 𝟓)(𝒙 ¿¿𝟐+𝒙 −𝟔)¿

¿(𝒙¿¿𝟐−𝟕 𝒙+𝟏𝟎)¿(
= 𝒙−𝟓 (
𝒙−𝟐)( Factors of
the
denominat
ors
(x - 5)(x + 3)(x - Factors of the
numerators
2) Factors of the
(x - 5) (x - 2) denominators
(5)
GCMF (x – (x –
= 5) 2)
Step 2: Divide out the GCMF of the
numerators GCMF=(x – 5) (x –
and denominator2)
=

=
Step 3: Simplify the remaining
factors
• =

Product in reduced
form
A. Find the product of the following rational
algebraic expressions by dividing out the GCMF
after multiplying. Use another paper for your
answers.
1
.
• 2
.
•