Math Problem Statement

Give the common factors of the numerator and the denominator of the following rational expressions, and reduce the given expressions to simplest forms. None of the denominators is zero.

Solution

The image you uploaded contains two sets of exercises related to rational expressions. Let's go through the instructions and some examples to help you understand the solutions:


First Section:

“Give the common factors of the numerator and the denominator of the following rational expressions.”

  1. 4c6c\frac{4c}{6c}

    • Common factor: cc.
  2. 2xy3x\frac{2xy}{3x}

    • Common factor: xx.
  3. 8a2c4ac2\frac{8a^2c}{-4ac^2}

    • Common factor: 4ac4ac.
  4. 14abc12ac\frac{-14abc}{12ac}

    • Common factor: 2ac2ac.
  5. (3r)(4s)18r2\frac{(-3r)(-4s)}{-18r^2}

    • Common factor: 3r3r.
  6. (3m2)(6r)(4r2)(9m)\frac{(3m^2)(-6r)}{(-4r^2)(9m)}

    • Common factor: 3mr3mr.
  7. 3x12164x\frac{3x - 12}{16 - 4x}

    • Common factor: 44 (in both numerator and denominator).
  8. 5x1593x\frac{5x - 15}{9 - 3x}

    • Common factor: 55 (numerator) and 33 (denominator).
  9. x29(3x)2\frac{x^2 - 9}{(3 - x)^2}

    • Common factor: (x3)(x+3)(x - 3)(x + 3).
  10. (ab)(bc)(a2b2)(bc)2\frac{(a - b)(b - c)}{(a^2 - b^2)(b - c)^2}

    • Common factor: (bc)(b - c).

Second Section:

“Reduce the given expressions to simplest forms.”

  1. 9m12n\frac{9m}{-12n}

    • Simplified form: 3m4n\frac{3m}{-4n}.
  2. 20a65b\frac{20a}{65b}

    • Simplified form: 4a13b\frac{4a}{13b}.
  3. x2yxy\frac{x^2y}{xy}

    • Simplified form: xx.
  4. x3y5x4y2\frac{x^3y^5}{x^4y^2}

    • Simplified form: y3x\frac{y^3}{x}.
  5. 3(x2)26(x2)4\frac{3(x - 2)^2}{6(x - 2)^4}

    • Simplified form: 12(x2)2\frac{1}{2(x - 2)^2}.

Would you like to continue solving other examples or need any additional explanations?

Here are five follow-up questions that may help expand your understanding:

  1. How do you simplify complex rational expressions with multiple variables?
  2. What is the significance of finding common factors in rational expressions?
  3. How can you identify and cancel out common factors between the numerator and denominator?
  4. Can all rational expressions be simplified, and what makes them irreducible?
  5. How does factoring help in reducing rational expressions to their simplest form?

Tip: Always factor both the numerator and the denominator completely before canceling out common factors.

Ask a new question for Free

By Image

Drop file here or Click Here to upload

Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Rational Expressions
Factoring Polynomials
Simplifying Algebraic Expressions

Formulas

Factoring differences of squares
Factoring trinomials
Greatest common divisor

Theorems

-

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12