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Elementary and Intermediate Algebra
Mark Dugopolski, Southeastern Louisiana University

Rational Expressions

Key Terms


building up the denominator  The opposite of reducing a fraction.
complex fraction  A fraction that contains a fraction in the numerator, the denominator, or both.
cross multiply  If a/b = c/d, then ad = bc.
domain of an expression  The set of all real numbers that can be used in place of the variable.
extraneous root  A number that appears to be a solution to an equation but does not satisfy the equation.
extremes  The numbers a and d in a/b = c/d.
extremes-means property  If a/b = c/d, then ad = bc.
least common denominator  The LCD of a group of rational expressions is the simplest polynomial that is divisible by each of the individual denominators of the rational expression.
least common multiple  For a group of numbers, the smallest number that is a multiple of each number in the group.
lowest terms  No common factors.
means  The numbers b and c in a/b = c/d.
proportion  A statement expressing the equality of two rational expressions.
proportionality constant  The constant k in y = kx.
ratio  A comparison of numbers that have the same units of measure.
rational expression  A ratio of two polynomials with the denominator not equal to 0.
reducing  Dividing out common factors.