how is doing operations, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing with rational expressions similiar to or different from doing operations with fractions? When would this be used in real life?

The operations follow the exact same rules, since rational expressions are fractions. You still need common denominators to add and subtract rational expressions just like you do for numerical fractions. You can multiply rational expressions by simply multiplying the numerators together and then multiplying the denominators together. You can divide rational expressions by multiplying the first one by the reciprocal of the second and then following the multiplication rules. You can even cancel common terms from the numerator and denominator like in numerical fractions. If you understand how to manipulate numerical fractions, then you can manipulate rational expressions because they follow the same rules. (Another name for a fraction is a rational number.) First of all, school is real life. You're there aren't you? You might use this skill in "real life" when setting up a proportion and there is an unknown value.

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How is doing operations (adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing) with rational expressions similar to or different from doing operations with fractions?

If you know how to do arithmetic with rational numbers you will understand the arithmetic with rational functions! Doing operations (adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing) is very similar. When you are
adding or subtracting they both require a common denominator. When multiplying or dividing it works the same for instance reducing by factoring.

Operations on rational expressions is similar to doing operations on fractions. You have to come up with a common denominator in order to add or subtract. To multiply the numerators and denominators separated. In division you flip the second fraction and multiply. The difference is that rational expressions can have variable letters and powers in them.

They're similar in that in doing addition and subtraction, you'll have to convert to common denominators. They're also similar in that you can't have a denominator of zero. They're different in that a rational expression is an algebraic expression of the form a/b, and a and b will be simpler expressions; for example a is 1 and b is x - 1 then the rational expression is 1/(x - 1). I think that understanding how to solve one type helps with skill in doing the other type. Fractions and rational expressions are used in buying and selling, measuring, designing, inventing, computer programming, accounting, and many other uses in real life.

BTW: I'm only in the 7th grade so I just googled this and found some info.

Hope this helps

Laruen -- be sure to cite your sources. From which website did you copy this information?

I can't because the site won't let me.

Just tell us a couple of words included in the web site, like Wikipedia.

it still won't let me

grrrr ahh

Doing operations with rational expressions is quite similar to doing operations with fractions because rational expressions can be thought of as fractions with variables. Both involve adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing.

Similarities:
1. Addition and subtraction: Just like fractions, rational expressions with the same denominator can be added or subtracted by simply adding or subtracting the numerators while keeping the common denominator unchanged.
2. Multiplication: To multiply rational expressions, you multiply the numerators together and the denominators together, just like multiplying fractions.

Differences:
1. Division: When dividing rational expressions, you multiply the first expression by the reciprocal of the second expression. This is different from dividing fractions, where you multiply the first fraction by the reciprocal of the second fraction.
2. Simplification: Rational expressions often require simplification by factoring and canceling common factors before performing operations. Fractions also need simplification, but it is usually easier since there may be fewer variables involved.

Example real-life scenarios where operations with rational expressions are used:
1. Calculating proportions: Rational expressions can be used to compare quantities in real-life situations, such as calculating the ratio of ingredients in a recipe or determining the percentage of different components in a mixture.
2. Financial calculations: Rational expressions can be used in financial calculations to analyze investments, calculate interest rates, or determine loan payments.
3. Engineering and science: Rational expressions are utilized in various engineering and scientific fields to model relationships, analyze physical phenomena, and solve equations.

It's worth noting that while operations with rational expressions are similar to fractions, they are often more complex due to the inclusion of variables. It is important to simplify rational expressions and confirm any restrictions on the variables before performing operations for accurate results.