Example

Example of Multiplying the Rational Functions f(x)=3x21x29x+14f(x) = \frac{3x - 21}{x^2 - 9x + 14} and g(x)=2x283x+6g(x) = \frac{2x^2 - 8}{3x + 6}

To find the product R(x)=f(x)g(x)R(x) = f(x) \cdot g(x) of the rational functions f(x)=3x21x29x+14f(x) = \frac{3x - 21}{x^2 - 9x + 14} and g(x)=2x283x+6g(x) = \frac{2x^2 - 8}{3x + 6}, apply the standard procedure for multiplying rational expressions:

Step 1. Factor the numerator and denominator of each rational expression completely: R(x)=3(x7)(x7)(x2)2(x2)(x+2)3(x+2)R(x) = \frac{3(x - 7)}{(x - 7)(x - 2)} \cdot \frac{2(x - 2)(x + 2)}{3(x + 2)}

Step 2. Multiply the resulting fractions together: R(x)=32(x7)(x2)(x+2)3(x7)(x2)(x+2)R(x) = \frac{3 \cdot 2(x - 7)(x - 2)(x + 2)}{3(x - 7)(x - 2)(x + 2)}

Step 3. Simplify the expression by dividing out the common factors of 33, (x7)(x - 7), (x2)(x - 2), and (x+2)(x + 2): R(x)=2R(x) = 2

The simplified product of the rational functions is 22.

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Updated 2026-04-30

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