1. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved Sec 8.3 - 1 7.3 Complex Fractions

2. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 7.3 Complex Fractions Simplifying Complex Fractions Simplifying a Complex Fraction: Method 2 Step 1 Multiply the numerator and denominator of the complex fraction by the least common denominator of the fractions in the numerator and the fractions in the denominator of the complex fraction. Step 2 Simplify the resulting fraction, if possible.

3. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 7.3 Complex Fractions Complex Fractions A complex fraction is an expression having a fraction in the numerator, denominator, or both. Examples of complex fractions include x 2 x 7 –, 5 m n, a 2 – 16 a + 2. a – 3 a 2 + 4

4. 7.3 Complex Fractions EXAMPLE 1 Simplifying Complex Fractions by Method 2 (a) d + 5 3d3d d – 1 6d6d

5. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 7.3 Complex Fractions EXAMPLE 1 Simplifying Complex Fractions by Method 2 (b) 2 x 5 – 3 x 1 +

6. 7.3 Complex Fractions EXAMPLE 2 Simplifying Complex Fractions by Method 2 Use Method 2 to simplify each complex fraction. (b) k – 2 4 3k3k + k k 7 –

7. 7.3 Complex Fractions EXAMPLE 4 Simplifying Rational Expressions with Negative Exponents Simplify, using only positive exponents in the answer. b –1 c + bc –1 bc –1 – b –1 c