Mixed Expressions and Complex Fractions Examples

b x− y
1. Algebraic expressions such as a + , and 5 + are called “mixed
c x+3
expressions.” Changing mixed expressions to rational expressions is similar to
changing mixed numbers to improper fractions.

Mixed expressions contain

monomials and algebraic fractions.

Mixed Number Mixed Expressions

to to
Improper Fraction Rational Expression

2 2 3(5) + 2 15 + 2 17 a2 + b a ( a − b) + ( a 2 + b)
3 or 3 + = = = a+ = =
5 5 5 5 5 a−b a−b
a 2 − ab + a 2 + b 2a 2 − ab + b
=
a−b a−b

Help students to see that they are changing numbers with unlike denominators. For
a2 + b a a2 + b
example, consider a + as + . Changing the mixed expression to an
a−b 1 a −b
a
algebraic fraction requires that be renamed with the LCD (a – b) as its
1
denominator.

Mixed Expressions and Complex Fractions ©2001-2003www.beaconlearningcenter.com Rev.7.24.03

 x2 − y 2
2. Example: FindÎ8 + 2 and simplify.
x + y2

x2 − y 2
Notice that 8 + is a mixed expression. Therefore, use the method shown
x2 + y2
above to find the sum.

x2 − y2 8( x 2 + y 2 ) + ( x 2 − y 2 ) 8 x 2 + 8 y 2 + x 2 − y 2 9x2 + 7 y2
8+ = = =
x2 + y2 x2 + y 2 x2 + y2 x2 + y2

3
3. Example: FindÎ m + and simplify.
m+4

3 m ( m + 4) + 3 m 2 + 4m + 3
m+ = =
m+4 m+4 m+4

4. If a fraction has one or more fractions in the numerator or denominator, it is called

a “complex fraction.” Some complex fractions are shown below:

1 a+b 1
−
1
3
2 8 a x y
2 a a−b 1 1
5 +
3 b b x y

3
3 7
5. Consider the complex fraction 5 . To simplify this fraction rewrite it as ÷
7 5 8
8
and proceed as follows. Recall that to find the
3 7 3 8 24
÷ Î • Î quotient, you multiply by
5 8 5 7 35 8 7
, the reciprocal of
7 8

Mixed Expressions and Complex Fractions ©2001-2003www.beaconlearningcenter.com Rev.7.24.03

 a
a c
6. Similarly, to simplify b , rewrite it as ÷ and proceed as follows.
c b d
d

a c a d ad
÷ Î • Î When simplifying complex
b d b c bc fractions, the following shortcut
may be applied

a
b = ad = outside ⋅ product
c bc inside ⋅ product
d

7. Simplifying Complex Fraction Rule:

a
Any complex fraction b , where b ≠ 0, c ≠ 0, and d ≠ 0, may be
c
d
ad
expressed as .
bc

1 1
+
x y
8. Example: simplifyÎ .
1 1
−
x y
1 1 y x y+x
+ +
x y xy xy xy y+x xy y+x xy y+x
Î Î Î • Î • Î
1 1 y x y−x xy y−x xy y−x y−x
− −
x y xy xy xy

Mixed Expressions and Complex Fractions ©2001-2003www.beaconlearningcenter.com Rev.7.24.03

 1
x+4−
9. Example: simplifyÎ x+4
48
x + 11 +
x−3

1 ( x + 4)( x + 4) − 1 x 2 + 8 x + 16 − 1 x 2 + 8 x + 15
x+4−
x+4 Î x+4 Î 2 x+4 Î 2 x+4
48 ( x + 11)( x − 3) + 48 x + 8 x − 33 + 48 x + 8 x + 15
x + 11 +
x−3 x−3 X −3 x−3

1
x + 8x + 1
2
x−3 x−3
• 2 Î
x+4 x + 8x + 1 x + 4
1

10. All of these calculations may seem confusing to some students. Have students
separate these into two problems: one involving the numerator and one the
denominator. Then put the two together.

x+4
x−
11. Example: simplifyÎ x +1
x−2

x+4 x( x + 1) − ( x + 4) x2 + x − x − 4 x2 − 4
x−
x +1 Î x +1 x +1 x2 − 4
Î x +1 Î
1
Î •
x−2 x−2 x−2 x−2 x +1 x − 2
1
1
( x + 2)( x − 2) x+2
Î
( x + 1)( x − 2) x +1
1

Mixed Expressions and Complex Fractions ©2001-2003www.beaconlearningcenter.com Rev.7.24.03

Name:______________________
Date:_____________
Class:______________________

Mixed Expressions and Complex Fractions Worksheet

Simplify.

1
3
1. 2
3
4
4

x2
y
2.
y
x2

x+4
y−2
3.
x2
y3

x3
y2
4.
x+ y
x− y

x+ y
5. a+b
x2 − y 2
a 2 − b2

Mixed Expressions and Complex Fractions ©2001-2003www.beaconlearningcenter.com Rev.7.24.03

 x 2 + 8 x + 15
6. x2 + x − 6
x 2 + 2 x − 15
x2 − 2x − 3

a 2 − 2a − 3
7. a2 − 1
a −3

15
x−
8. x−2
20
x−
x −1

2
x+2+
9. x+5
6
x+6+
x +1

3
x+5+
10. x +1
3
x −1−
x +1

Mixed Expressions and Complex Fractions ©2001-2003www.beaconlearningcenter.com Rev.7.24.03

 Mixed Expressions and Complex Fractions Worksheet Key

Simplify.

1
3
1. 2 7 2
3
4 2 Î • Î • Î 14
7 4 7 4
4 19 2 19 2 19 19
4 1

x2 x2 x2 x2 x2 x4
y • Î • Î 2
2. y y y y y
y
x2

x+4
y−2 x + 4 y3 y 3 ( x + 4)
3. • 2Î 2
x2 y−2 x x ( y − 2)
y3

x3 x3 x − y x 3 ( x − y)
• Î
y2 y2 x + y y 2 ( x + y)
4.
x+ y
x− y

x+ y
1 1
5. a+b 1( x + y ) (a + b)(a − b) 1( x + y ) (a + b)(a − b) a−b
x2 − y 2 • Î • Î
1(a + b) ( x + y )( x − y ) 1(a + b) ( x + y )( x − y ) x− y
a 2 − b2
1 1

Mixed Expressions and Complex Fractions ©2001-2003www.beaconlearningcenter.com Rev.7.24.03

 x 2 + 8 x + 15
( x + 3)( x + 5)
6. x2 + x − 6
x 2 + 2 x − 15 ( x + 3)( x − 2) ( x + 3)( x + 5) ( x + 1)( x − 3)
Î • Î
( x + 5)( x − 3) ( x + 3)( x − 2) ( x + 5)( x − 3)
x2 − 2x − 3
( x + 1)( x − 3)
1 1 1
( x + 3)( x + 5) ( x + 1)( x − 3) x +1
• Î
( x + 3)( x − 2) ( x + 5)( x − 3) x−2
1 1 1

(a − 3)(a + 1)
a 2 − 2a − 3
(a + 1)(a − 1) (a − 3)(a + 1) 1
a2 − 1 Î • Î
7. 1(a − 3) (a + 1)(a − 1) 1(a − 3)
a −3
1
1 1
(a − 3)(a + 1) 1 1
• Î
(a + 1)(a − 1) 1(a − 3) a −1
1 1

15 x( x − 2) − 15 x 2 − 2 x − 15 ( x − 5)( x + 3)
x−
x−2 1( x − 2)
8. x−2 Î 2 x−2 Î Î
x−
20 x( x − 1) − 20 x − x − 20 ( x − 5)( x + 4)
x −1 x −1 x −1 1( x − 1)
( x − 5)( x + 3) 1( x − 1)
• Î
1( x − 2) ( x − 5)( x + 4)

( x − 5)( x + 3) 1( x − 1) ( x + 3)( x − 1)
• Î
1( x − 2) ( x − 5)( x + 4) ( x − 2)( x + 4)

Mixed Expressions and Complex Fractions ©2001-2003www.beaconlearningcenter.com Rev.7.24.03

 2
x+2+ ( x + 3)( x + 4)
x+5 ( x + 2)( x + 5) + 2 x 2 + 7 x + 12
9.
1( x + 5)
x+5 Î 2 x+5
6
x+6+ Î Î
x +1 ( x + 6)( x + 1) + 6 x + 7 x + 12 ( x + 3)( x + 4)
x +1 x +1 1( x + 1)
( x + 3)( x + 4) 1( x + 1)
• Î
1( x + 5) ( x + 3)( x + 4)
1 1
( x + 3)( x + 4) 1( x + 1) x +1
• Î
1( x + 5) ( x + 3)( x + 4) x+5
1 1

3
x+5+
10. x +1
3
x −1−
x +1

( x + 5)( x + 1) + 3 x2 + 6x + 8
x + 1 Î x + 6 x + 8 • x + 1 Î ( x + 4)( x + 2) • 1( x + 1)
2
x +1 Î Î
( x − 1)( x + 1) − 3 x2 − 4 x +1 x2 − 4 1( x + 1) ( x + 2)( x − 2)
x +1 x +1

( x + 4)( x + 2) 1( x + 1) x+4
• Î
1( x + 1) ( x + 2)( x − 2) x−2

Mixed Expressions and Complex Fractions ©2001-2003www.beaconlearningcenter.com Rev.7.24.03

Student Name: __________________

Date: ______________

Mixed Expressions and Complex Fractions Checklist

1. On question 1, did the student simplify the expression correctly?

a. Yes (20 points)

b. Student wrote numerator and denominator as rational numbers but made
errors when multiplying by the reciprocal of the denominator (15 points)
c. Student wrote numerator or denominator correctly as rational numbers
(not both), then preceded to multiply by the reciprocal of the denominator
(10 points)
d. Student wrote numerator and denominator incorrectly as rational numbers,
then preceded to multiply by the reciprocal of the denominator (5 points)

2. On question 2, did the student simplify the expression correctly?

a. Yes (20 points)

b. Student wrote numerator and denominator as rational numbers but made
errors when multiplying by the reciprocal of the denominator (15 points)
c. Student wrote numerator or denominator correctly as rational numbers
(not both), then preceded to multiply by the reciprocal of the denominator
(10 points)
d. Student wrote numerator and denominator incorrectly as rational numbers,
then preceded to multiply by the reciprocal of the denominator (5 points)

3. On question 3, did the student simplify the expression correctly?

a. Yes (20 points)

b. Student wrote numerator and denominator as rational numbers but made
errors when multiplying by the reciprocal of the denominator (15 points)
c. Student wrote numerator or denominator correctly as rational numbers
(not both), then preceded to multiply by the reciprocal of the denominator
(10 points)
d. Student wrote numerator and denominator incorrectly as rational numbers,
then preceded to multiply by the reciprocal of the denominator (5 points)

4. On question 4, did the student simplify the expression correctly?

a. Yes (20 points)

b. Student wrote numerator and denominator as rational numbers but made
errors when multiplying by the reciprocal of the denominator (15 points)
c. Student wrote numerator or denominator correctly as rational numbers
(not both), then preceded to multiply by the reciprocal of the denominator
(10 points)
d. Student wrote numerator and denominator incorrectly as rational numbers,
then preceded to multiply by the reciprocal of the denominator (5 points)

Mixed Expressions and Complex Fractions ©2001-2003www.beaconlearningcenter.com Rev.7.24.03

 5. On question 5, did the student simplify the expression correctly?

a. Yes (20 points)

b. Student wrote numerator and denominator as rational numbers but made
errors when multiplying by the reciprocal of the denominator (15 points)
c. Student wrote numerator or denominator correctly as rational numbers
(not both), then preceded to multiply by the reciprocal of the denominator
(10 points)
d. Student wrote numerator and denominator incorrectly as rational numbers,
then preceded to multiply by the reciprocal of the denominator (5 points)

6. On question 6, did the student simplify the expression correctly?

a. Yes (20 points)

b. Student wrote numerator and denominator as rational numbers but made
errors when multiplying by the reciprocal of the denominator (15 points)
c. Student wrote numerator or denominator correctly as rational numbers
(not both), then preceded to multiply by the reciprocal of the denominator
(10 points)
d. Student wrote numerator and denominator incorrectly as rational numbers,
then preceded to multiply by the reciprocal of the denominator (5 points)

7. On question 7, did the student simplify the expression correctly?

a. Yes (20 points)

b. Student wrote numerator and denominator as rational numbers but made
errors when multiplying by the reciprocal of the denominator (15 points)
c. Student wrote numerator or denominator correctly as rational numbers
(not both), then preceded to multiply by the reciprocal of the denominator
(10 points)
d. Student wrote numerator and denominator incorrectly as rational numbers,
then preceded to multiply by the reciprocal of the denominator (5 points)

8. On question 8, did the student simplify the expression correctly?

a. Yes (20 points)

b. Student wrote numerator and denominator as rational numbers but made
errors when multiplying by the reciprocal of the denominator (15 points)
c. Student wrote numerator or denominator correctly as rational numbers
(not both), then preceded to multiply by the reciprocal of the denominator
(10 points)
d. Student wrote numerator and denominator incorrectly as rational numbers,
then preceded to multiply by the reciprocal of the denominator (5 points)

Mixed Expressions and Complex Fractions ©2001-2003www.beaconlearningcenter.com Rev.7.24.03

 9. On question 9, did the student simplify the expression correctly?

a. Yes (20 points)

b. Student wrote numerator and denominator as rational numbers but made
errors when multiplying by the reciprocal of the denominator (15 points)
c. Student wrote numerator or denominator correctly as rational numbers
(not both), then preceded to multiply by the reciprocal of the denominator
(10 points)
d. Student wrote numerator and denominator incorrectly as rational numbers,
then preceded to multiply by the reciprocal of the denominator (5 points)

10. On question 10, did the student simplify the expression correctly?

a. Yes (20 points)

b. Student wrote numerator and denominator as rational numbers but made
errors when multiplying by the reciprocal of the denominator (15 points)
c. Student wrote numerator or denominator correctly as rational numbers
(not both), then preceded to multiply by the reciprocal of the denominator
(10 points)
d. Student wrote numerator and denominator incorrectly as rational numbers,
then preceded to multiply by the reciprocal of the denominator (5 points)

Total Number of Points _________

A 180 points and above

Any score below C
B 160 points and above needs
remediation!
C 140 points and above

D 130 points and above

F 129 points and below

Mixed Expressions and Complex Fractions ©2001-2003www.beaconlearningcenter.com Rev.7.24.03