Multiplying Fractions Chapter 6 Section 6.4

Objective Students will multiply algebraic fractions

Concept The property of quotients given in the last chapter states that ac = a * c bd b d You can rewrite this result to get the multiplication rule for fractions

Concept Multiplication Rule for Fractions a * c = ac b d bd To multiply fractions, you multiply their numerators and multiply their denominators

Concept There are two ways that you can go about multiplying algebra fractions 1. Multiply first, simplify second 2. Simplify first, multiply second Both methods work, method 2 will always involve smaller numbers

Example 8 * 3 9 10

Example 6x * y2 y3 15

Example x2 – x – 12 * x2 – 25 x2 – 5x x + 3

Concept In Chapter 4 you learned the rule of exponents for a power and a product: For every positive integer m, (ab)m = ambm. The following rule for powers in quotients is similar

Concept Rule of Exponents for a Power of a Quotient For every positive integer m, (a/b)m = am bm

Example (x/3)3

Example (-c/2)2 * 4/3c

Questions

Assignment Worksheet