Multiplying-And-Dividing Edexcel Higher

Multiplying & dividing algebraic fractions

How do I multiply algebraic fractions?

• STEP 1

  Simplify both fractions first by fully factorising

  • E.g.

• STEP 2

  Cancel any common factors on top and bottom (from either fraction)

  • E.g. <img alt=”fraction numerator x over denominator 3 up diagonal strike open parentheses x plus 2 close parentheses end strike end fraction cross times fraction numerator 2 up diagonal strike open parentheses x plus 2 close parentheses end strike over denominator x plus 7 end fraction equals x over 3 cross times fraction numerator 2 over denominator x plus 7 end fraction” data-mathml=”<math ><semantics><mrow><mfrac><mi>x</mi><mrow><mn>3</mn><menclose notation=”updiagonalstrike”><mfenced><mrow><mi>x</mi><mo>+</mo><mn>2</mn></mrow></mfenced></menclose></mrow></mfrac><mo>&#215;</mo><mfrac><mrow><mn>2</mn><menclose notation=”updiagonalstrike”><mfenced><mrow><mi>x</mi><mo>+</mo><mn>2</mn></mrow></mfenced></menclose></mrow><mrow><mi>x</mi><mo>+</mo><mn>7</mn></mrow></mfrac><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mi>x</mi><mn>3</mn></mfrac><mo>&#215;</mo><mfrac><mn>2</mn><mrow><mi>x</mi><mo>+</mo><mn>7</mn></mrow></mfrac></mrow><annotation 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