Answer:
<u>Multiplication: </u>
Step 1: Factor both the numerator and the denominator.
Step 2: Write as one fraction. Write it as a product of the factors of the numerators over the product of the factors of the denominators. DO NOT multiply anything out at this point.
Step 3: Simplify the rational expression.
Step 4: Multiply any remaining factors in the numerator and/or denominator.
<u>Division: </u>
Step 1: Completely factor both the numerators and denominators of all fractions.
Step 2: Change the division sign to a multiplication sign and flip (or reciprocate) the fraction after the division sign; essential you need to multiply by the reciprocal.
Step 3: Cancel or reduce the fractions. Remember that to reduce fractions; you can cancel something in the numerator with something in the denominator, but in order to cancel something in the numerator and denominator the two factors must be EXACTLY the same.
Step 4: Rewrite the remaining factor. Notice that you do NOT need to actually multiply anything in the numerator or denominator.
