3 Algebraic Fractions and Formulas

Lesson
Algebraic Fractions
Worksheet 3.1A
Name: _________________________ Class: ___________

Objective: Learn to simplify algebraic fractions.

Key Points
A
1. An algebraic fraction is an algebraic expression written in the form , in which
B
(i) both A and B are polynomials, and
(ii) B is not a constant number.
1 x pq
e.g. , and
a y q  r 1

2. An algebraic fraction can be reduced to its simplest form by cancelling out the common factor(s) of its numerator and
denominator.
3a 3 4(m  n) 4
e.g.  and 
2a 2 n( m  n) n

Note: In this chapter, we assume that the denominators in algebraic fractions are not equal to zero.

Example 1 (Level 1) Let’s Try 1.1

Simplify the following algebraic fractions. Simplify the following algebraic fractions.
4 3
7y 25 pq 24 x 4 15a3b2 49hk 2
(a) (b)  (a) (b) (c)
14 y 2 10 p 4 q 3x 6a 2 b 35h5 k 4

Solution Solution
(a) (a)

(b) (b)

(c)

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 3 Algebraic Fractions and Formulas

Let’s Try 1.2

Simplify the following algebraic fractions.
4(2  x) 18 x3 ( x  5)
(a) (b)
16(2  x) 24 x 2 ( x  5) 2

Solution
(a) (b)

Example 2 Let’s Try 2.1

Simplify the following algebraic fractions. Simplify the following algebraic fractions.
3x  6 xy 8ab
(a) (Level 1) (a)
6x 4a  8ab
xy  5 y 2 12 x  4 x 2
(b) (Level 1) (b)
3x  15 y xy  3 y
mn  3m  2n  6 mn  3n  7 m  21
(c) (Level 2) (c)
3 n 2m  6

Solution Solution
(a)
When the numerator or denominator has more than
one term, we may have to factorize the numerator
or denominator first before simplification.

(a)

(b)

(b)

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 3 Algebraic Fractions and Formulas

(c) (c)

Let’s Try 2.2 (Level 2)

Simplify the following algebraic fractions.
8 xy  4 x 2 ab5 9  9k
(a) (b) (c)
6 y 2  3xy ab  b 2  5b hk  6k  h  6

Solution
(a)

(b)

(c)

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 3 Algebraic Fractions and Formulas

Example 3 (Level 2) Let’s Try 3

Simplify the following algebraic fractions. Simplify the following algebraic fractions.
x2 1 x2  9
(a) (a)
2x  2 5 x  15
5 y a 2  4a  4
(b) (b)
y  10 y  25
2
2a
ab  4b 2 x 2  4 xy  4 y 2
(c) (c)
a 2  8ab  16b 2 x 2  2 xy

Solution Solution
(a)
The following identities may be useful when
factorizing the numerator and / or denominator.
(i) a2 – b2 ≡ (a + b)(a – b)
(ii) a2 + 2ab + b2 ≡ (a + b)2
(iii) a2 – 2ab + b2 ≡ (a – b)2

(a)

(b)

(b)

(c) (c)

Let’s try the Consolidation Corner on page 3.6 of

the textbook.

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 3 Algebraic Fractions and Formulas

Lesson Multiplication and Division of

Worksheet 3.1B Algebraic Fractions

Name: _________________________ Class: ___________

Objective: Learn to perform multiplication and division of simple algebraic fractions.

Key Points
The multiplication and division of algebraic fractions are similar to those of fractions.
2a c 2a  c 2ac 2a c 2a 3d 6ad
e.g.    and    
b 3d b  3d 3bd b 3d b c bc

Example 1 Let’s Try 1.1

Simplify the following expressions. Simplify the following expressions.
2
p q y 2 x5
(a) 2
 3 (Level 1) (a) 
q p x3 y 4
3m2 m2 2a 2  2a 2a
(b)  (Level 2) (b) 
m  2 m 9m
2
a a 1
6a 4a 2  ab 4a  12b 9a 2
(c)  (Level 2) (c)  2
2b  8a 3a 2b 3ab 3b  ab

Solution Solution
(a) (a)

(b) (b)

(c) (c)
Factorize the
numerator and
the denominator
of each algebraic
fraction first.

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 3 Algebraic Fractions and Formulas

Let’s Try 1.2 Let’s Try 1.3 (Level 2)

Simplify the following expressions. 2 p 2 q 2 p3
Simplify   2 .
2a  5 a2 pq 2 10 pq
(a)  (Level 1)
7(a  2) 2(2a  5) 2
6x  3 y 9x2  2x Solution
(b)  (Level 2)
2  9x 2x  y

Solution
(a)

(b)

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 3 Algebraic Fractions and Formulas

Example 2 Let’s Try 2.1

Simplify the following expressions. Simplify the following expressions.
a 2a 3 24 x 2 8 x6
(a)  (Level 1) (a)  3
2b b 4 y y
10  5 p 2  p a 2a 3
(b)  (Level 2) (b) 
p 3 p4 5a  2 20a  8

Solution Solution
(a)
Turn the algebraic fraction after ÷ sign
upside down and change ÷ into ×.

(a)

(b)
(b)

Let’s Try 2.2

Simplify the following expressions.
s6 4( s  6) a 2  ab 7a  7b
(a)  (Level 1) (b)  (Level 2)
3( s  2) 2s ( a  b) 2 ba

Solution
(a) (b)

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 3 Algebraic Fractions and Formulas

Example 3 (Level 2) Let’s Try 3.1

x  2 5 x  10 15 y 5 y 4
Simplify   4 x3 . Simplify  2 3.
6x2 15 x 8 3x 9 x

Solution Solution

Let’s Try 3.2 Let’s Try 3.3

r 3r 2 2c 2c 2
Simplify   6r . Simplify  8c  .
3 r r 3 6c  4d 10d  15c

Solution Solution

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 3 Algebraic Fractions and Formulas

Further Example (Level 2) Let’s Try

(a) Factorize x – 16y .
2 2
(a) Factorize 25x2 – y2.
3y  2 x  4y 5x  y 5x  3
(b) Hence, simplify 2  . (b) Hence, simplify  .
x  16 y 6 y  4
2
15 x  9 25 x 2  y 2

Solution Solution
(a) (a)

(b) (b)

Let’s try the Consolidation Corner on page 3.9 of

the textbook.

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 3 Algebraic Fractions and Formulas

Lesson Addition and Subtraction of

Worksheet 3.1C Algebraic Fractions

Name: _________________________ Class: ___________

Objective: Learn to perform addition and subtraction of simple algebraic fractions.

Key Points
1. If the denominators of the algebraic fractions involved are the same, we can add or subtract their numerators and keep
the denominator unchanged.
2 3 23 5
e.g.   
a 1 a 1 a 1 a 1
2. If the denominators of the algebraic fractions involved are different, we can expand the algebraic fractions to make their
denominators the same.
1 1 1 3 1 2 3 2 5
e.g.      
2a 3a 2a  3 3a  2 6a 6a 6a

Let’s Check
1. Simplify the following expressions.

5 3 ( )( ) 3 2
(a)    (b)  
x x x 4b 4b

4 6 ( )( ) 4 2
(c)    (d)  
x y x y ( ) 2x 1 2x 1

2. Consider each pair of algebraic fractions. Expand them, if necessary, to make them have a
common denominator.
2 1 3 5
(a) and (b) and
x 3x 5x 6x
2 2( ) ( ) 3 3 ( ) ( )
   
x x3 3x 5x 5x  ( ) 30 x
1 5 5 ( ) ( )
 Do not need to expand this fraction.  
3x 6x 6x  ( ) 30 x

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 3 Algebraic Fractions and Formulas

Example 1 (Level 1) Let’s Try 1

Simplify the following expressions. Simplify the following expressions.
1 3 1 1
(a)  (a) 
6 x 10 x 2a 6a
1 1 3 1
(b)  (b) 
5y 4y 10b 4b
3 1 3 4
(c)  (c) 
a 2b 2m n

Solution Solution
(a) (a)

(b)
(b)

(c)
If there are no common factors for the
denominators, we can simply use their
product as a common denominator.

(c)

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 3 Algebraic Fractions and Formulas

Example 2 (Level 1) Let’s Try 2.1

Simplify the following expressions. Simplify the following expressions.
2x 6 4p 8
(a)  (a) 
x3 x3 p2 p2
5 2 1 3
(b)  (b) 
2(a  2) a  2 2h  7 5(2h  7)
4b 8a 9 6y
(c)  (c) 
2 a  b b  2a 3 2y 2y 3

Solution Solution
(a) (a)

(b) (b)

(c) (c)

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 3 Algebraic Fractions and Formulas

Let’s Try 2.2

Simplify the following expressions.
2h  9k 3k
(a)  (Level 1)
h  3k h  3k
3 2
(b)  (Level 1)
2(m  n) 7(m  n)
y 2
(c)   (Level 2)
3(5 y  6) 5(6  5 y)

Solution
(a)

(b)

(c)

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 3 Algebraic Fractions and Formulas

Example 3 (Level 2) Let’s Try 3

Simplify the following expressions. Simplify the following expressions.
2 1 3 1
(a)  (a) 
x x 5 a  2 2a
2 1 3 1
(b)  (b) 
y  2 1 2 y 3b  1 b  2

Solution Solution
(a) (a)

(b) (b)

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 3 Algebraic Fractions and Formulas

Example 4 (Level 2) Let’s Try 4

Simplify the following expressions. Simplify the following expressions.
8 2
(a) 4  (a) 3
x2 x 1
6 y 3y 4b b
(b) 2   (b) 2  
5 x 10 x 3a 12a

Solution Solution
(a) (a)
Expand 4 to .

(b) (b)

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 3 Algebraic Fractions and Formulas

Further Example (Level 2) Let’s Try

(a) Factorize x – 4x + 4.
2
(a) Factorize y2 + 6y + 9.
2x 1 3y 1
(b) Hence, simplify  . (b) Hence, simplify  .
x  4x  4 x  2
2
y  6y  9 y  3
2

Solution Solution
(a) (a)

(b) (b)

Let’s try the Consolidation Corner on page 3.15 of

the textbook.

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 3 Algebraic Fractions and Formulas

Lesson
Formulas and Substitution
Worksheet 3.2
Name: _________________________ Class: ___________

Objectives: 1. Understand the meaning of formulas.

2. Learn to use the method of substitution to find unknowns in a formula.

Key Points
1. A formula is an algebraic equality relating two or more variables.
e.g. P = 2(x + y) is a formula, where P is the perimeter, x is the length and y is the width of the rectangle.

2. By the method of substitution, we can find the value of a variable in a formula when the values of other variables are
known.
e.g. When P = 20 and x = 3, 20  2(3  y)
10  3  y
y7

Let’s Check
In each of the following formulas, find the value of the unknown in the brackets by the method
of substitution.

(a) y = 10x2 [y] if x = 2

k 2
(b) T  [T] if k = 5
k 1

2 3
(c) x  [x] if y = 3 and z = 4
y z

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 3 Algebraic Fractions and Formulas

Example 1 (Level 1) Let’s Try 1.1

In each of the following formulas, find the In each of the following formulas, find the
value of the unknown in the brackets by the value of the unknown in the brackets by the
method of substitution. method of substitution.
(a) y = 8 + 2x [x] if y = 30 (a) x = 7y  9 [y] if x = 47
( a  b) h 5(v  u )
(b) V  [a] if V = 35, b = 4 (b) a  [u] if a = 10, v = 26
3 t
and h = 5 and t = 9
Solution Solution
(a) (a)

(b) (b)

Let’s Try 1.2 (Level 2)

In each of the following formulas, find the value of the unknown in the brackets by the method of
substitution.
(a) y2 = x2  3hk [k] if x = 2, y = 7 and h = 5
2x
(b) z  [x] if y = 8 and z = 4
x y

Solution
(a) (b)

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 3 Algebraic Fractions and Formulas

Example 2 (Level 1) Let’s Try 2.1

3
The volume V cm of a pyramid can be The average speed v (in m/s) of a moving object
calculated by the following formula: can be calculated by the following formula:
Ah d
V , v ,
3 t
where A cm2 and h cm are the base area and the where d m and t s are the distance travelled and
height of the pyramid respectively. the time taken by the moving object respectively.
(a) Find the value of V if A = 17 and h = 6. (a) Find the value of v if d = 100 and t = 25.
(b) Find the height of a pyramid with volume (b) How far has a car travelled with an
42 cm3 and base area 6 cm2. average speed 16 m/s in 9 s?
Solution Solution
(a) (a)

(b) (b)

Let’s Try 2.2 (Level 2)

The total surface area A cm2 of a right circular cylinder can be calculated by
the following formula:
A = 2rh + 2r2,
where r cm and h cm are the base radius and the height of the cylinder
 22 
respectively.  Take   . 
 7 
(a) Find the value of A if r = 7 and h = 3.
(b) What is the height of a cylinder if the total surface area of the cylinder
with base radius 14 cm is 1408 cm2?
Solution
(a) (b)

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 3 Algebraic Fractions and Formulas

Example 3 (Level 2) Let’s Try 3

In a factory, the total production cost $C of In a factory, the production cost $C of a
n bars of chocolate is given by the formula rectangular carpet with a perimeter of x m is
C = pn + 120, where p is a constant. It is given by the formula C = 350 + kx, where k is a
known that the total production cost of 25 bars constant. It is known that the production cost of
of chocolate is $245. a carpet with a perimeter of 5 m is $590.
(a) Find the value of p. (a) Find the value of k.
(b) Joyce claims that if 50 bars of chocolate (b) Emily claims that the production cost of a
are produced, the production cost of each carpet with a perimeter of 7 m is more
bar of chocolate is $7.5. Do you agree? than $680. Do you agree? Explain your
Explain your answer. answer.

Solution Solution
(a) (a)

(b)
Steps for solving this EYA question:
1. Substitute the value of p found in (a) into
the formula.
2. Find the total production cost if 50 bars of
chocolate are produced. Hence, find the
production cost of each bar of chocolate. (b)
3. State whether Joyce’s claim is agreed.

Let’s try the Consolidation Corner on page 3.20 of

the textbook.

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 3 Algebraic Fractions and Formulas

Lesson
Change of Subject
Worksheet 3.3
Name: _________________________ Class: ___________

Objective: Learn how to change the subject of a formula.

Key Points
1. If a single variable on one side of a formula is expressed in terms of other variables, it is called the subject of the formula.
e.g. V is the subject of the formula V = wh.

2. The subject of a formula can be changed.

V
e.g. V = wh 
wh
changing
subject subject subject

Let’s Check
Write down the subject of each of the following formulas. (1 – 4)
1. y = 1 – 5x Subject: ___________ 2. E = m Subject: ___________
3
3. u + at = v Subject: ___________ 4. k T Subject: ___________
1 s

Example 1 (Level 1) Let’s Try 1.1

Make u the subject of the formula v = 9  4u. Make p the subject of the formula q = 1  4p.

Solution Solution

Note the required subject is u. So, move all the

terms not containing u to one side and leave the
term(s) containing u on the other side.

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 3 Algebraic Fractions and Formulas

Let’s Try 1.2 Let’s Try 1.3

3k  5 2
Make k the subject of the formula h  . Make x the subject of the formula y  7.
8 x

Solution Solution

Example 2 (Level 1) Let’s Try 2.1

Make x the subject of the formula Make a the subject of the formula
5 x  y  2(3  x) . 2a + b = 4(a  3).

Solution Solution

As the expression inside the brackets contains x,

we have to remove the brackets first.

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 3 Algebraic Fractions and Formulas

Let’s Try 2.2

Make x the subject of the formula 2x = q(1  x).

Solution

Example 3 (Level 2) Let’s Try 3.1

5 y 1 2q
Make y the subject of the formula x  . Make q the subject of the formula p  .
1 y 2q

Solution Solution

As y appears in the denominator 1 + y, multiply

both sides by 1 + y to eliminate the denominator.

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 3 Algebraic Fractions and Formulas

Let’s Try 3.2 Let’s Try 3.3

2u  9v 7 y
Make v the subject of the formula u  . Make y the subject of the formula x  3.
3 v y

Solution Solution

Example 4 (Level 2) Let’s Try 4.1

2 1 3 2
Consider the formula   3. Consider the formula   1.
x y x y
(a) Make y the subject of the formula. (a) Make x the subject of the formula.
(b) If x = 2, find the value of y. (b) If y = 5, find the value of x.

Solution Solution
(a) (a)

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 3 Algebraic Fractions and Formulas

(b) (b)

Let’s Try 4.2

Consider the formula 2x + 3 = 4(x  y).
(a) Make y the subject of the formula.
(b) If the value of x is decreased by 2, write down the change in the value of y.

Solution
(a) (b)

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 3 Algebraic Fractions and Formulas

Example 5 (Level 1) Let’s Try 5

If the ground temperature is GC, the When an object of M kg is hung on a vertical
temperature TC at a place h m above the spring of original length cm, the spring will
ground can be calculated by the following be extended to a new length of L cm. This new
formula: length L cm can be calculated by the following
1 formula:
T G h
100 4
L  M
(a) Make h the subject of the formula. 5
(b) If the temperature at the foot of Mount (a) Make M the subject of the formula.
Everest is 30C, at what height of the (b) It is given that the original length of the
mountain can you first find snow? spring is 6 cm. An object is now hung on
(Assume there will be snow whenever the the spring and the spring is extended to a
temperature is 0C or below.) new length of 8.4 cm. Find the weight of
the object.
Solution
(a) Solution
(a)

(b)
(b)

Let’s try the Consolidation Corner on page 3.29 of

the textbook.

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 3 Algebraic Fractions and Formulas

Answers
3 Algebraic Fractions and Formulas Lesson Worksheet 3.1B
Example
Lesson Worksheet 3.1A
1 1
Example 1. (a) (b)
pq 3
y2 5q 2
1. (a) (b)  1
2 2 p3 (c) 
b
1 2y y
2. (a) (b) b3
2 3 2. (a) (b) 15p3
4a 2
(c) –m – 2
3. 2x2
x 1 1
3. (a) (b)
2 5 y
Let’s Try
b
(c) x2
a  4b 1.1 (a) (b) 4a
y2

12a
Let’s Try (c) 
b2
5ab
1.1 (a) 8x3 (b) 1
2 1.2 (a) (b) –3x
14(2a  5)
7
(c) p2
5h 4 k 2 1.3
5q
1 3x
1.2 (a) (b)
4 4( x  5) 3y 2 2
2.1 (a) (b)
x4 a2
2b 4x
2.1 (a) (b)  1 a
1  2b y 2.2 (a)  (b)
12 7(b  a)
n7
(c) 1
2 3.1 3.2 –2
2x
4x 1
2.2 (a)
3y
(b)
b 3.3 –20

9  9 
(c)   or  Further Example
h6  6h
1
(a) (x + 4y)(x – 4y) (b)
x3 2( x  4 y)
3. (a) (b) 2–a
5

x  2y Let’s Try
(c)
x
1
(a) (5x + y)(5x – y) (b)
3(5 x  y )

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 3 Algebraic Fractions and Formulas

Lesson Worksheet 3.1C 7a  2 7

3. (a) (b) 
2a(a  2) (3b  1)(b  2)
Let’s Check
(5)  (3) 8 3 2 1 3x  1 8a  5b
1. (a)  (b)  4. (a) (b)
x x 4b 4b x 1 4a

(4)  (6) 10 42 2

(c)  (d) 
( x  y) x y 2x 1 2x 1 Further Example
x2
2  (3) (6) (a) (x – 2)2 (b)
2. (a)  ( x  2) 2
x3 3x

3  (6) 18 5  (5) 25
(b)  ; 
5 x  (6) 30 x 6 x  (5) 30 x Let’s Try
2y  3
(a) (y + 3)2 (b)
( y  3) 2
Example
7 1
1. (a) (b) 
15x 20y Lesson Worksheet 3.2
Let’s Check
6b  a
(c)
2 ab 1 1
(a) 40 (b) (c) 
2 12
1
2. (a) 2 (b)
2(a  2)
Example
(c) –4
1. (a) 11 (b) 17
3 x  10 5y
3. (a) (b)  2. (a) 34 (b) 21 cm
x( x  5) ( y  2)(1  2 y)
3. (a) 5 (b) no
4x 4x  3y
4. (a) (b)
x2 2x
Let’s Try
1.1 (a) 8 (b) 8
Let’s Try
1.2 (a) 3 (b) –16
2 1
1. (a) (b)
3a 20b 2.1 (a) 4 (b) 144 m

3n  8m 2.2 (a) 440 (b) 2 cm

(c)
2mn
3. (a) 48 (b) yes
8
2.1 (a) 4 (b)
5(2h  7)
Lesson Worksheet 3.3
(c) 3
Let’s Check
25 1. (a) y 2. E
2.2 (a) 2 (b)
14(m  n)
3. (a) v 4. T
1
(c) 
15

Junior Secondary Mathematics in Action 2 © Pearson Education Asia Limited 2021

 3 Algebraic Fractions and Formulas

Example

9v
1. u
4

6 y
2. x
3

x 1
3. y
5 x

x 1
4. (a) y (b) 
2  3x 2

5. (a) h  100(G  T ) (b) 3000 m

Let’s Try
1 q 8h  5
1.1 p 1.2 k
4 3

2
1.3 x
y7

b  12 q
2.1 a 2.2 x
2 2q

22p u
3.1 q 3.2 v
p 1 u 9

7
3.3 y
x2

3y
4.1 (a) x (b) 5
y2

2x  3
4.2 (a) y (b) decreased by 1
4

5( L  )
5. (a) M (b) 3 kg
4

Junior Secondary Mathematics in Action 3 © Pearson Education Asia Limited 2021