Multiplying and Dividing Rationals - Problem 9

The key to reducing any kind of fraction correctly is that you can cross out factors that are the same in top and bottom- which means your terms need to be in multiplying form, rather than a long string of adding and subtracting (which would be a standard form polynomial.) Here, your goal is to factor everything possible, and reduce by crossing out entire factors that are the same in top and bottom. Since we're multiplying, it's even OK to cross out top and bottom factors that are not in the same fraction. Ask your teacher or check the instructions in the textbook to see if your final answer should be left in factored form or multiplied back into standard form.