As Problem 1 indicates, products of rational expressions may have excluded values. For the rest of this chapter, it is not necessary to state excluded values unless you are asked.

Sometimes the product a c b d fraction eh c , over b d end fraction  of two rational expressions may not be in simplified form. You may need to divide out common factors.

You can also multiply a rational expression by a polynomial. Leave the product in factored form.

Recall that a b ÷ c d = a b ⋅ d c , eh over b , divides , c over d , equals , eh over b , dot , d over c . comma  where b ≠ 0 , c ≠ 0 , b not equal to 0 comma c not equal to 0 comma  and d ≠ 0 . d not equal to 0 .  When you divide rational expressions, first rewrite the quotient as a product using the reciprocal before dividing out common factors.

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