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Lesson 22, Section 2Complex fractions -- Division
The numerator and/or the denominator are themselves fractions. To simplify a complex fraction, we can immediately apply the definition of division (Lesson 6):
Any fraction is equal to the numerator times the reciprocal Therefore,
Problem 1. State in words how to simplify a complex fraction.
Rewrite it as the numerator times the reciprocal
Division -- which effectively this is -- becomes multiplication by the reciprocal. on canceling the x + 2's. Problem 2. Simplify.
The h's cancel. And according to the Rule of Signs, the product is negative. (It's all right to leave the product in its factored form.)
Example 3. If a complex fraction looks like this --
-- then we can simplify it by multiplying the numerator and denominator by c. Problem 3. Simplify the following.
Solution. 1-over any number is its reciprocal. Therefore,
Problem 4. Simplify the following.
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