Basic Definitions
Polynomials
Algebraic Transformations |
Outline
Factoring
Factoring Quadratic Polynomials
Factoring Cubic Polynomials
Factor Theorems
Expanding
Completing Perfect Square
Rationalizing Denominators
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To simplify a fraction means, in particular, to eliminate terms
involving radicals from the denominator of the fraction. This procedure is known as
rationalizing the denominator.
As a rule, a denominator can be rationalized by simple algebraic transformations.
The main idea is quite clear. To rationalize a denominator, it is necessary to find
a factor that by which the given denominator is multiplied to produce an expression or
quantity without radicals.
Let us consider a few typical cases.
If a denominator contains the square root of some expression as a
factor, then multiply the numerator and denominator by the square root of the expression.
:
If a denominator involves a binomial expression like , then in view of the formula for the difference
between two squares,
.
Therefore, one can multiply the numerator and denominator by to rationalize the denominator:
.
Likewise,
and so on.
Let the denominator be a trinomial expression such as
or something similar.
Taking into account the formula for the difference between two cubes, we can use the
factor to eliminate the denominator from radicals:
Likewise,
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