Write

1
Write

• What is a rational number? A rational
  expression?
• What does it mean to simplify something? What
  does it mean to simplify in math?
• How can we simplify a rational expression?

2
Simplifying Rational Expressions
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Tools for simplifying

• Factoring
• GCF removal
• Difference of two squares
• Canceling
• Combining like terms
• The equals sign, and the relation that it implies

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Practice
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Simplifying to Solve.

• Really, theres just one more step here.
  Simplifying lets us solve an easy equation.

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Practice!
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Summary

• Algebra is for doing things on paper that we
  cant do in our heads.
• Algebra isnt about truth, its about following
  rules.
• The rules are derived from things that we know
  are true, but thats not important, as far as
  using them goes.
• Simple is better, because its more portable.
• So we use algebra to get rid of extra junk.

8
Homework

• Opening Day
• Red Sox vs. Yankees
• 805 PM Sunday
• YES Network