5.05
Reducing Fractions with Radicals
from Basic Algebra: One Step at
a Time © 2002-2011
P. 431-434
Dr. Robert J. Rapalje
Seminole State College of Florida
ANSWERS TO ALL EXERCISES ARE INCLUDED AT THE
END OF THIS PAGE
Radicals often occur
within fractional expressions. When this occurs, it is important to know
whether or not the expression may be reduced. There are no new principles
in this section. The same rules from the chapter on algebraic fractions
still apply here. It is just that somehow they look different until you
get used to them. Compare the following examples:
ALGEBRAIC
FRACTIONS FRACTIONS WITH RADICALS
1.
(Notice that
is
not divided out!)
2.
does
not reduce
does
not reduce
(Don’t
divide out the 5!) (Don’t divide out the
5!)
3.
(Don’t
combine unlike terms!) (Don’t combine unlike terms!)
4.
may be factored 
and reduced
431
EXERCISES.
Factor and reduce each of the following exercises if possible.
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433
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434
ANSWERS 5.05
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