Page:Elementary algebra (1896).djvu/145

127 Rh 155. From the preceding article we deduce an easy method of writing down the simplified form of a complex fraction.

Multiply the extremes for a new numerator, and the means for a new denominator. {{a + x }{b} }{ a2 — x2 }{ab} ={ab(a + x)}{ b{a2 — x2) } ={a — x}{ ab}

by cancelling common factors in numerator and denominator.

156. The student should especially notice the following cases, and should be able to write off the results readily. .

157. We now proceed to show how complex fractions can be reduced by the rules already given.

Ex.1.

Ex. 2.