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How to Divide Rational Expressions

To divide rational expressions, follow these four steps:

Step 1. Rewrite the division as the product of the first rational expression and the reciprocal of the second.

Step 2. Factor the numerators and denominators completely.

Step 3. Multiply the numerators and denominators together.

Step 4. Simplify by dividing out common factors.

This procedure mirrors the three-step process for multiplying rational expressions, with one additional preliminary step: converting the division into a multiplication by flipping the second fraction. After that conversion, the remaining steps — factoring, multiplying, and simplifying — are identical to those used for multiplication.

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Updated 2026-05-01

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