Multiplying Rational Expressions

A rational expression is a fraction in which either the numerator, or the denominator, or both the numerator and the denominator are algebraic expressions.

When two fractions are multiplied, we multiply the numerators of the fractions to form the new numerator and we do the same for the denominators. This is the same with rational expressions. If there are common factors in both numerator and denominator of the two rational expressions we may cancel them before we multiply

Example:

Simplify the following expressions:

Solution:

The following video shows how to multiply rational expressions.

The following video shows how to multiply a rational expression where a binomial common factor has opposite sign.

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