1. Rational Expressions – Simplifying
STEPS : Factor completely ( if needed )
2. Cancel all common factors

2. Rational Expressions – Simplifying
STEPS : Factor completely ( if needed )
2. Cancel all common factors
EXAMPLE # 1 : Simplify

3. Rational Expressions – Simplifying
STEPS : Factor completely ( if needed )
2. Cancel all common factors
EXAMPLE # 1 : Simplify
No factoring is needed here, you can “line up” your coefficients and variables and then cancel where needed…

4. Rational Expressions – Simplifying
STEPS : Factor completely ( if needed )
2. Cancel all common factors
EXAMPLE # 1 : Simplify
No factoring is needed here, you can “line up” your coefficients and variables and then cancel where needed…

5. Rational Expressions – Simplifying
STEPS : Factor completely ( if needed )
2. Cancel all common factors
EXAMPLE # 1 : Simplify
No factoring is needed here, you can “line up” your coefficients and variables and then cancel where needed…

6. Rational Expressions – Simplifying
STEPS : Factor completely ( if needed )
2. Cancel all common factors
EXAMPLE # 1 : Simplify
EXAMPLE # 2 : Simplify

7. Rational Expressions – Simplifying
STEPS : Factor completely ( if needed )
2. Cancel all common factors
EXAMPLE # 1 : Simplify
EXAMPLE # 2 : Simplify
No factoring is needed here, you can “line up” your coefficients and variables and then cancel where needed…

8. Rational Expressions – Simplifying
STEPS : Factor completely ( if needed )
2. Cancel all common factors
EXAMPLE # 1 : Simplify 1
EXAMPLE # 2 : Simplify 5
No factoring is needed here, you can “line up” your coefficients and variables and then cancel where needed…

9. Rational Expressions – Simplifying
STEPS : Factor completely ( if needed )
2. Cancel all common factors
EXAMPLE # 1 : Simplify 1
EXAMPLE # 2 : Simplify 5
No factoring is needed here, you can “line up” your coefficients and variables and then cancel where needed…

10. Rational Expressions – Simplifying
STEPS : Factor completely ( if needed )
2. Cancel all common factors
EXAMPLE # 3 : Simplify

11. Rational Expressions – Simplifying
STEPS : Factor completely ( if needed )
2. Cancel all common factors
EXAMPLE # 3 : Simplify
No factoring is needed here, you can “line up” your coefficients and variables and then cancel where needed…

12. Rational Expressions – Simplifying
STEPS : Factor completely ( if needed )
2. Cancel all common factors 1
EXAMPLE # 3 : Simplify 9
No factoring is needed here, you can “line up” your coefficients and variables and then cancel where needed…

13. Rational Expressions – Simplifying
STEPS : Factor completely ( if needed )
2. Cancel all common factors 1
EXAMPLE # 3 : Simplify 9
No factoring is needed here, you can “line up” your coefficients and variables and then cancel where needed…

14. Rational Expressions – Simplifying
STEPS : Factor completely ( if needed )
2. Cancel all common factors 1
EXAMPLE # 3 : Simplify 9
EXAMPLE # 4 : Simplify

15. Rational Expressions – Simplifying
STEPS : Factor completely ( if needed )
2. Cancel all common factors 1
EXAMPLE # 3 : Simplify 9
EXAMPLE # 4 : Simplify
No factoring is needed here, you can “line up” your coefficients and variables and then cancel where needed…

16. Rational Expressions – Simplifying
STEPS : Factor completely ( if needed )
2. Cancel all common factors
EXAMPLE # 3 : Simplify 9 1
EXAMPLE # 4 : Simplify 3
Remember when dividing variables, subtract exponents…