1.

5 Simplifying Rational Expressions

Canada officially has two national games, lacrosse
and hockey. Lacrosse is thought to have originated
with the Algonquin tribes in the St. Lawrence
Valley. The game was very popular in the late
nineteenth century and was at one time an Olympic
sport. Canadian lacrosse teams won gold medals at
the Summer Olympics in 1904 and 1908.
There are two forms of lacrosse—box lacrosse,
which is played indoors, and field lacrosse. When
field lacrosse is played under international rules, the
width of the rectangular field can be represented by
x and the area of the field by the polynomial
2x − 10x. Thus, the length of
2

the field can be represented by

x 2x 2 – 10x
2x2 − 10x
the expression  .
x
This is an example of a rational expression, which
is a quotient whose numerator and denominator
are polynomials. The following are also rational
expressions.
3 y−4 x+1 5y a +b
2 2
    
x+2 7 x+3 y2 − 1 a2 − b2

I NVESTIGATE & I NQUIRE

1. a) Factor x from the expression for the area of a lacrosse field, 2x − 10x.
2

b) Record the other factor and explain why it represents the length of the field.
c) Describe how you could simplify the other expression for the length,
2x2 − 10x
 , to give the same expression as in part b).
x
2. The rectangle shown has a width of 2y and an area of 2y2 + 6y.
a) Factor 2y from the expression for the area. 2y 2y 2 + 6y
b) Record the other factor and explain why it represents the length.

1.5 Simplifying Rational Expressions • MHR 35

 c) Use the width and the area to write a rational expression that represents
the length.
d) Describe how you could simplify the rational expression from part c) to
give the same expression as in part b).
3. Use your results from questions 1 and 2 to write a rule for simplifying a
rational expression in which the denominator is a monomial factor of the
numerator.
4. Use your rule to simplify each of the following.
4t2 + 8t 10m3 + 5m2 + 15m 6r4 − 3r3 + 6r2
a)  b)  c) 
4t 5m 3r2
5. The expressions from question 1 represent the dimensions of a lacrosse
field for both the women’s and the men’s games.
a) For the women’s game, played 12-a-side, x represents 60 m. What are the
dimensions of the field, in metres?
b) For the men’s game, played 10-a-side, x represents 55 m. What are the
dimensions of the field, in metres?

EXAMPLE 1 Monomial Denominator

24x3 + 6x2 + 12x
Simplify  . State the restriction on the variable.
6x

SOLUTION
24x + 6x + 12x
3 2

6x
6x(4x + x + 2)
2
Factor the numerator: = 
6x
1
(4x + x + 2)
2
Divide by the common factor, 6x: 6x
= 

6x
1
= 4x + x + 2
2

Division by 0 is not defined, so exclude values of x for which 6x = 0. Excluded values are
known as restrictions on
6x = 0 when x = 0, so x ≠ 0
the variable.
24x + 6x + 12x
3 2
Therefore,  = 4x + x + 2, x ≠ 0
2
6x
36 MHR • Chapter 1
The solution to Example 1 could have been found by another method, since
the distributive property also applies to division.
3 2+1
For example,  = 
7 7
2 1
=+
7 7

24x3 + 6x2 + 12x 24x3 6x2 12x

So,  =  +  + 
6x 6x 6x 6x
= 4x2 + x + 2, x ≠ 0

EXAMPLE 2 Binomial Denominator

x
Express  in simplest form. State the restrictions on the variable.
2x − 4x
2

SOLUTION
x

2x − 4x
2

x
Factor the denominator: =
2x(x − 2)
1
x
Divide by the common factor, x: =
2x(x − 2)
1
1
=
2(x − 2)
Exclude values of x for which 2x − 4x = 0.
2

2x2 − 4x = 2x(x − 2), so 2x2 − 4x = 0 when 2x(x − 2) = 0

2x = 0 or x − 2 = 0
x = 0 or x = 2

x 1
Therefore,  =  , x ≠ 0, 2.
2x − 4x 2(x − 2)
2

1.5 Simplifying Rational Expressions • MHR 37

EXAMPLE 3 Removing a Common Factor of –1
3 − 2x
Simplify  . State any restrictions on the variable.
4x − 6
SOLUTION
3 − 2x

4x − 6
3 − 2x
Factor the denominator: =
2(2x − 3)
–1(2x − 3)
Factor –1 from the numerator: = 
2(2x − 3)
1

–1(2x − 3)
Divide by the common factor, (2x – 3): = 

2(2x − 3)
1
–1 1
=  or − 
2 2
Exclude values of x for which 4x − 6 = 0.
4x − 6 = 0 when 2(2x − 3) = 0.
2x − 3 = 0
3
x=
2
3 − 2x 1 3
Therefore,  = –  , x ≠  .
4x − 6 2 2

EXAMPLE 4 Trinomial Numerator and Denominator

x2 + 3x − 10

Express 2 in simplest form. State the restrictions on the variable.
x + 8x + 15
SOLUTION
x + 3x − 10
2

x2 + 8x + 15
(x + 5)(x − 2)
Factor the numerator and the denominator: = 
(x + 5)(x + 3)
1
+ 5)(x − 2)
(x
Divide by the common factor, (x + 5): = 
+ 5)(x + 3)
(x
1
x−2
=
x+3
38 MHR • Chapter 1
Exclude values of x for which x2 + 8x + 15 = 0.
x2 + 8x + 15 = (x + 5)(x + 3), so x2 + 8x + 15 = 0 when (x + 5)(x + 3) = 0
x + 5 = 0 or x + 3 = 0
x = −5 or x = −3
x2 + 3x − 10 x − 2
Therefore,  =  , x ≠ −5, −3.
x2 + 8x + 15 x + 3

EXAMPLE 5 Trinomial Numerator and Denominator

2y2 − y − 15
Simplify  . State the restrictions on the variable.
4y2 − 13y + 3

SOLUTION
2y − y − 15
2

4y2 − 13y + 3
(y − 3)(2y + 5)
Factor the numerator and denominator: = 
(4y − 1)(y − 3)
1
(y− 3) (2y + 5)
Divide by the common factor, ( y – 3): = 
(4y − 1)(y− 3)
1
2y + 5
=
4y − 1
Exclude values of y for which 4y − 13y + 3 = 0.
2

4y2 − 13y + 3 = (4y − 1)(y − 3), so 4y2 − 13y + 3 = 0 when (4y − 1)( y − 3) = 0
4y − 1 = 0 or y − 3 = 0
1
y =  or y = 3
4
2y − y − 15 2y + 5
2
1
Therefore,  =  , y ≠  , 3.
4y − 13y + 3 4y − 1
2
4

Key Concepts
• To simplify rational expressions,
a) factor the numerator and the denominator
b) divide by common factors
• To state the restriction(s) on the variable in a rational expression, determine
and exclude the value(s) of the variable that make the denominator 0.

1.5 Simplifying Rational Expressions • MHR 39

 Communicate Yo u r Understanding
x+4
1. Explain why x ≠ 3 is a restriction on the variable for the expression  .
x−3
x −x
2
2. Describe how you would simplify  .
x
x + 3x + 2
2
3. a) Describe how you would simplify  .
x2 − x − 2
b) Describe how you would determine the restrictions on the variable.
4. Write an expression in one variable for the denominator of a rational
expression, if the restrictions on the variable are x ≠ 2, −3.

Practise
In each of the following, state any restrictions on the variables.
A
1. Simplify. 10x 4x
g)  h) 
3t3 + 6t2 − 15t 6a + 9a 5x − 15x 16x − 12x
2 2 3
a)  b) 
3t 12a2 3x y
i) 
10y + 5y − 15y 6x y − 12xy2
4 3 2 2
c) 
5y 3. Simplify.
14n − 4n + 6n + 8n
4 3 2
d)  6t − 36 4m + 24
2n2 a)  b) 
t−6 8m − 24
4m2 − 8mn –6x2y3
5x − 10 a + 2a
2
e)  f) 
4mn –18x3y c)  d) 
3x − 6 a2 − 3a
16a2bc –4x4y2z
8x2 + 4x 2x − 2x
2
g)  h) 
4a2b2c2 20x3y3z e)  f) 
6x2 + 3x 2x2 + 2x
21m(m − 4) 4x + 4y 4a b + 8ab
2
i) 
7m2 g)  h) 
5x + 5y 6a2 − 6a
2. Express in simplest form. 5x y + 10x
i) 
5x 8t (t + 5)
2
2y2 + 4y
a)  b) 
5(x + 4) 4t(t − 5) 4. Express in simplest equivalent form.
7x(x − 3) (m − 1)(m + 2) m−2 y2 + 10y + 25
c)  d) 
14x (x − 3)
2
(m + 4)(m − 1) a)  b) 
2 m2 − 5m + 6 y+5
2x y
2x + 6 r −4
2
e)  f) 
2x + 8 y2 + 2y c)  d) 
x − 6x − 27 5r + 10
2

40 MHR • Chapter 1
 a +a x −9
2 2 6. Simplify.
e)  f) 
x2 + 4x + 4 a − a − 12
2
a + 2a + 1 2x y − 6x y
2 2
a)  b) 
2w + 2 3t − 8t + 4
2
x2 + 5x + 6 a2 − 9a + 20
g)  h) 
2w + 3w + 1
2
6t2 − 4t m2 − 5m + 6 y2 − 8y + 15
c)  d) 
8z + 6z
2
5x + 3x y − 2y
2 2
m2 + 2m − 15 y2 − 25
i)  j) 
x2 − 10x + 24 n −n−2
2
9z2 − 16 3x2 + 3xy e)  f) 
x2 − 12x + 36 n2 + n − 6
5. Simplify.
p + 8p + 16
2
2t − t − 1
2
y−2 3−x g)  h) 
a)  b)  p2 − 16 t2 − 3t + 2
2−y x−3
6v2 + 11v + 3 6x − 13x + 6
2
2t − 1 6 − 10w i)  j) 
c)  d)  4v2 + 8v + 3 8x2 − 6x − 9
4 − 8t 15w − 9
3z2 − 7z + 2 2m2 − mn − n2
x −1
2
1 − 4y2 k)  l) 
e) 2 f)  9z2 − 6z + 1 4m2 − 4mn − 3n2
1−x 8y2 − 2

Apply, Solve, Communicate

7. Saskatchewan flag The area of a Saskatchewan flag can be

represented by the polynomial x2 + 3x + 2 and its width by x + 1.
a) Write a rational expression that represents the length.
b) Write the expression in simplest form.
c) If x represents 1 unit of length, what is the ratio length:width for a
Saskatchewan flag?
B
8. Simplify, if possible.
y +1
2
1−x x−1
a)  b)  c) 
x−1 x+1 y2 − 1
3t − 7 t −s
2 2
x − 2x + 3x
3 2
d)  e) 2 f) 
3t − 7 (s + t) 2x2 − 4x + 6
9. For which values of x are the following rational expressions not defined?
2x − y 4x 3
a)  b)  c) 3
x−y 3x + y x
+ 5xy + 2y2
2
x + 3x − 11
2 2
x 3x
d)  e)  f) 
x3 − 8 x2 − 1 4x2 − 9y2

1.5 Simplifying Rational Expressions • MHR 41

10. Communication State whether each of the following rational
x+1
expressions is equivalent to the expression  . Explain.
x−1
x+2 x +x 4 + 4x
2
a)  b)  c) 
x−2 x −x
2
4x − 4
3x + 1 (x + 1)2 1+x
d)  e) 2 f) 
3x − 1 (x − 1) 1−x
11. Cube For a cube of edge length x, find the ratio of the volume to the
surface area. Simplify, if possible.
12. Application For a sphere of radius r, find the ratio of the volume to
the surface area. Simplify, if possible.
13. Pattern The first 4 diagrams of two patterns are shown.
Pattern 1 Pattern 2

n=1 2 3 4 n=1 2 3 4

a) For pattern 1, express the number of asterisks in the nth diagram in

terms of n.
b) For pattern 2, the number of asterisks in the nth diagram is given by the
binomial product (n + ▲)(n + ■ ), where ▲ and ■ represent whole
numbers. Replace ▲ and ■ in the binomial product by their correct values.
c) Divide your polynomial from part b) by your expression from part a).
d) Use your result from part c) to calculate how many times as many
asterisks there are in the 10th diagram of pattern 2 as there are in the 10th
diagram of pattern 1.
e) If a diagram in pattern 1 has 20 asterisks, how many asterisks are in the
corresponding diagram of pattern 2?
f) If a diagram in pattern 2 has 1295 asterisks, how many asterisks are in the
corresponding diagram in pattern 1?

42 MHR • Chapter 1
14. Measurement Find the ratio of the area of the square to the 10x
area of the trapezoid. Simplify, if possible.

8 8
15. Rectangular prism Find the ratio of the volume to the
surface area for the rectangular prism shown. Simplify, if possible.

x+4 2x – 2

x+4
C
16. Write rational expressions in one variable so that the restrictions on the
variables are as follows.
1 3
a) x ≠ 1 b) y ≠ 0, −3 c) a ≠  , –  d) t ≠ −1, ±3 
2 4
17. Technology a) Use a graphing calculator to graph the equations
2x + 3x
2
y =  and y = 2x + 3 in the same standard viewing window.
x
Explain your observations.
b) Display the tables of values for the two equations. Compare and explain
the values of y when x = 0.
18. Inquiry/Problem Solving a) For a solid cone with radius r, height h,
and slant height s, find the ratio of the volume to the surface area. Simplify,
if possible.
b) Determine whole-number values of r, h, and s that give the ratio in
part a) a numerical value of 1.

WORD Power
Lewis Carroll invented a word game called doublets. The object of the game is to
change one word to another by changing one letter at a time. You must form a
real word each time you change a letter. The best solution has the fewest steps.
Change the word RING to the word BELL by changing one letter at a time.

1.5 Simplifying Rational Expressions • MHR 43