How Do You Divide a Rational Expression by a Polynomial?

How Do You Divide a Rational Expression by a Polynomial?

Note:

Dividing a rational expression by a polynomial is easier than you might think! Follow along as this tutorial takes you through that process step-by-step!

Keywords:

  • problem
  • rational
  • rational expression
  • divide
  • polynomial
  • factor
  • factor polynomials
  • cancel
  • factoring
  • common factors
  • reciprocal
  • division
  • divide rational expressions
  • difference of squares
  • simplify
  • algebraic fraction
  • variable
  • multiply
  • multiply rational expressions
  • divide fractions

Background Tutorials

  • Fraction Basics

      • What's a Numerator and What's A Denominator?What's a Numerator and What's A Denominator?

      What's a Numerator and What's A Denominator?

      Numerators and denominators are the key ingredients that make fractions, so if you want to work with fractions, you have to know what numerators and denominators are. Lucky for you, this tutorial will teach you some great tricks for remembering what numerators and denominators are all about.

  • Dividing Real Numbers

      • What's a Reciprocal?What's a Reciprocal?

      What's a Reciprocal?

      Reciprocals are important when it comes to dividing fractions, finding perpendicular lines, dealing with inverse proportions, and so much more! In this tutorial you can review the basics about reciprocals.

  • Polynomials

      • What is a Polynomial?What is a Polynomial?

      What is a Polynomial?

      If you learn about algebra, then you'll see polynomials everywhere! In this tutorial, you'll learn the definition of a polynomial and see some of the common names for certain polynomials.

  • Factoring x^2+bx+c

      • How Do You Factor a Trinomial?How Do You Factor a Trinomial?

      How Do You Factor a Trinomial?

      Factoring trinomials can by tricky, but this tutorial can help! Follow along as a trinomial is factored right before your eyes! Then, check your answer by using the FOIL method to multiply the binomials back together and see if you get the original trinomial.

  • Difference of Squares and Cubes

      • How Do You Know if You Have a Difference of Squares?How Do You Know if You Have a Difference of Squares?

      How Do You Know if You Have a Difference of Squares?

      Not sure if the binomial you've factoring is a difference of squares problem? This tutorial will show you what characteristics the binomial must have in order to be a difference of squares problem. Take a look!

  • Simplifying Rational Expressions

      • How Do You Reduce Common Factors in a Rational Expression?How Do You Reduce Common Factors in a Rational Expression?

      How Do You Reduce Common Factors in a Rational Expression?

      Multiplying rational expressions? Want to cancel common factors out to make things easier to work with? In this tutorial, you'll see how to cancel out common factors in order to find the simplified product of two rational expression. Check it out!

  • Excluded Values

      • How Do You Find Excluded Values?How Do You Find Excluded Values?

      How Do You Find Excluded Values?

      Excluded values are values that will make the denominator of a fraction equal to 0. You can't divide by 0, so it's very important to find these excluded values when you're solving a rational expression. Follow along with this tutorial and learn how to find these excluded values!

      • What's an Excluded Value?What's an Excluded Value?

      What's an Excluded Value?

      Excluded values are simply that: values that are excluded, or left out. These are values that will make the denominator of a rational expression equal to 0. Remember, you're not allowed to divide by 0, so these values are important to identify and exclude while solving. This tutorial shows you all about excluded values!

  • Multiplying Rational Expressions

      • How Do You Multiply Quotients of Monomials?How Do You Multiply Quotients of Monomials?

      How Do You Multiply Quotients of Monomials?

      Multiplying together two monomials isn't so hard, especially if you know the proper steps! This tutorial will take you through all the steps necessary to multiply together two monomials. Then, you'll see how to divide the numerator and denominator by the greatest common factor (GCF) in order to simplify and get your answer!

Further Exploration

  • Multiplying Rational Expressions

      • How Do You Multiply a Rational Expression by a Polynomial?How Do You Multiply a Rational Expression by a Polynomial?

      How Do You Multiply a Rational Expression by a Polynomial?

      To multiply a rational expression by a polynomial, just turn that polynomial into a fraction, multiply, and simplify to get your answer! This tutorial shows you that process step-by-step!

      • How Do You Multiply Two Rational Expressions?How Do You Multiply Two Rational Expressions?

      How Do You Multiply Two Rational Expressions?

      Multiplying together two rational expression isn't so hard, especially if you know the proper steps! This tutorial will take you through all the steps necessary to multiply together two rational expressions and then simplify the product to get the answer. Check it out!

  • Dividing Rational Expressions

      • How Do You Divide Two Rational Expressions?How Do You Divide Two Rational Expressions?

      How Do You Divide Two Rational Expressions?

      Dividing two rational expressions? Turn it into a multiplication problem by multiplying by the reciprocal of the second rational expression (the divisor)! This tutorial shows you how to do just that! Then, you'll see how to perform the multiplication and simplify to get you answer!