Example

Example of Multiplying and Dividing Multiple Rational Expressions

To perform multiple operations on rational expressions, such as 3x64x4x2+2x3x23x10÷2x+128x+16\frac{3x-6}{4x-4} \cdot \frac{x^2+2x-3}{x^2-3x-10} \div \frac{2x+12}{8x+16}, first rewrite the division as multiplication by the reciprocal: 3x64x4x2+2x3x23x108x+162x+12\frac{3x-6}{4x-4} \cdot \frac{x^2+2x-3}{x^2-3x-10} \cdot \frac{8x+16}{2x+12}. Next, factor all numerators and denominators to obtain 3(x2)4(x1)(x+3)(x1)(x5)(x+2)8(x+2)2(x+6)\frac{3(x-2)}{4(x-1)} \cdot \frac{(x+3)(x-1)}{(x-5)(x+2)} \cdot \frac{8(x+2)}{2(x+6)}. Then, multiply the fractions together, bringing constants to the front to help identify numerical factors: 38(x2)(x+3)(x1)(x+2)42(x1)(x5)(x+2)(x+6)\frac{3 \cdot 8(x-2)(x+3)(x-1)(x+2)}{4 \cdot 2(x-1)(x-5)(x+2)(x+6)}. Finally, simplify by dividing out the common factors of 88, (x1)(x-1), and (x+2)(x+2) from both the numerator and denominator, resulting in the simplified expression 3(x2)(x+3)(x5)(x+6)\frac{3(x-2)(x+3)}{(x-5)(x+6)}.

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Updated 2026-04-30

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Ch.7 Rational Expressions and Functions - Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax

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