3.4 Algebraic fractions

Simplifying rational expressions

To simplify expressions you expand the powers firstly then simplify:

Another example:

Add algebraic fraction expressions

There are 2 ways of adding algebraic fractions:

1. You can factorize ab out of the numerator and then cancel, i.e. \dfrac{a^8+a^2}{a^4}=\dfrac{a^2(a^6+1)}{a^4}

2. You can split the quotients into 2 parts before simplifying, i.e. \dfrac{a^8}{a^4}+\dfrac{a^2}{a^4}=a^4+\dfrac{1}{a^2}