Algebraic fractions · Year 11
In Year 11 you learn: simplifying algebraic fractions.
Algebraic fractions are fractions with letters in them, like (x + 2)/(x − 3). They follow exactly the same rules as number fractions: simplify by cancelling common factors, and add or subtract using a common denominator.
Key facts
- Factorise the top and bottom first, then cancel any common brackets.
- Multiply tops together and bottoms together; to divide, multiply by the reciprocal of the second fraction.
- To solve an equation with fractions, multiply every term by the common denominator.
- A fraction cannot be worked out when its denominator is 0.