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Rational expressions are expressions that involve fractions with polynomials in the numerator and denominator. They can also include variables and exponents.
To simplify rational expressions, factor both the numerator and denominator and then cancel out any common factors. You can also use the rules of exponents to simplify expressions with exponents.
A common mistake when simplifying rational expressions is forgetting to factor completely. It is important to factor completely in order to cancel out all common factors and simplify the expression as much as possible.
To check your work for rational expressions, plug in your simplified expression for the original variables and see if the resulting fractions are equivalent. You can also use a calculator to evaluate both expressions and compare the results.
Yes, rational expressions can have restrictions. These restrictions occur when a variable in the denominator has a value that would make the expression undefined, such as a division by zero. It is important to check for these restrictions and exclude them from the final simplified expression.