Table of contents
- 0. Review of College Algebra4h 43m
- 1. Measuring Angles39m
- 2. Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles2h 5m
- 3. Unit Circle1h 19m
- 4. Graphing Trigonometric Functions1h 19m
- 5. Inverse Trigonometric Functions and Basic Trigonometric Equations1h 41m
- 6. Trigonometric Identities and More Equations2h 34m
- 7. Non-Right Triangles1h 38m
- 8. Vectors2h 25m
- 9. Polar Equations2h 5m
- 10. Parametric Equations1h 6m
- 11. Graphing Complex Numbers1h 7m
0. Review of College Algebra
Rationalizing Denominators
2:54 minutes
Problem 61b
Textbook Question
Textbook QuestionAdd or subtract, as indicated. See Example 4. 3 1 ——— - ——— a - 2 2 - a
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Rational Expressions
Rational expressions are fractions where the numerator and the denominator are polynomials. Understanding how to manipulate these expressions, including adding and subtracting them, is crucial. This involves finding a common denominator, which allows for the combination of the fractions into a single expression.
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Rationalizing Denominators
Common Denominator
A common denominator is a shared multiple of the denominators of two or more fractions. To add or subtract rational expressions, it is essential to identify the least common denominator (LCD) to ensure that the fractions can be combined correctly. This process often involves factoring the denominators and determining their least common multiple.
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Factoring Polynomials
Factoring polynomials is the process of breaking down a polynomial into simpler components, or factors, that can be multiplied together to obtain the original polynomial. This skill is vital when simplifying rational expressions, as it helps in identifying common factors and simplifying the overall expression before performing operations like addition or subtraction.
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Factoring
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