Rational Expressions: tips for solving?

[girlongixxer]

What strategies have you come up with to overcome challenges you developed in rational expressions (whatever that may be)? My challenge is fractions. I hate them and I probably always will but I was just wondering what other challenges some of you faced with rational expressions. I remember learning about it in pre-algebra a little, we touched on it but that was it. Now we are starting to solve equations in fractions using polynomials.

Just looking for some tips you can recommend.

 

[Denis]

Remember that a fraction is nothing but a division.

 3
 - : that's a division sign
 4

Fraction 3/4 means 3 divided by 4
Fraction 12/3 means 12 divided by 3

Also remember that a whole number like 8 is a fraction: 8/1;
it is not shown as such, but that's what it is.

Useful when you have stuff like x/3 = 8:

x     8
-  =  -  
3     1

you can now clearly see that (using cross multiplication):
x * 1 = 8 * 3
x = 24

Hope that helps a bit.

 

[girlongixxer]

So is fractions the only thing I should be afraid of when it comes to rational expressions? Seems like the fraction thing isn't too bad when you explained it the the way you did. What other aspects of rational expressions can you give me tips on?

 

[stapel]

So [are] fractions the only thing I should be afraid of when it comes to rational expressions?

You shouldn't be "afraid" of fractions in any context.

If you're asking for advice regarding all the various aspects of anything that might involve rational expressions, this is, I'm afraid, really too broad a question. And we really can't teach courses here, anyway, so it would not be possible to provide you with instruction regarding everything you might possibly encounter and/or dislike in the future. Sorry.

My best wishes to you in your studies.

Eliz.