Learning Resources
Outcomes
By the end of this lesson you will be able to answer questions like the ones in the pre-test below.
Approach #1
Answer the questions on the pre-test below in your Math 3103 binder. Then refer to the pages of the lesson that contain instruction on the questions you were unable to do, for which you got an incorrect answer, or for which you would like some further explanation.
Approach #2
Proceed directly to the first page of the lesson without attempting the pre-test. To do this simply click on the Lesson button above. You can then return to this pre-test later and use it as a worksheet.
Pre-test
For each of the following rational expressions:
1. Indicate which values must be excluded from the replacement set.
2. Reduce each to lowest terms.
a. 
b. 
c. 
d. 
e. 
f. 
g. 
h. 
i. 
Students will be expected to:
- Simplify, add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational expressions.
- Use the four basic operations to simplify complex fractions.
- Solve equations involving rational expressions and determine extraneous roots.
Introduction
This section consists of five lessons as follows:
Lesson 01 Simplifying
In this lesson you will use your skills of factoring and your knowledge of fractions to reduce rational expressions to their lowest terms.
Lesson 02 Multiplying and Dividing
In this lesson you will apply your knowledge of multiplying and dividing numerical fractions to multiplying and dividing algebraic fractions.
Lesson 03 Adding and Subtracting
In this lesson you will find the LCD of two or more rational expressions and use it to add and subtract them.
Lesson 04 Complex Fractions
You will apply the skills you learned in Lessons 01 to 04 of this Section, along with those learned in Unit 01 of this course, to simplifying complex fractions that contain rational expressions.
Lesson 05 Solving Equations
In this lesson you will solve equations that contain rational expressions. As with solving radical equations, which you learned how to do in Unit 03 of this course, you will once again encounter extraneous roots.
Prerequisites
To be successful in this lesson, it would be helpful to know the following:
- How to factor polynomials.
- How to reduce numerical fractions to lowest terms.
- The concept of the replacement set for an expression.