Algebraic Fractions

What is Algebraic Fractions?

A fraction whose numerator or denominator contains a variable, handled by exactly the rules that govern numerical fractions: a common denominator for addition and subtraction, multiplication of numerators and denominators for products, and multiplication by the reciprocal for division. Because a denominator may not be zero, every algebraic fraction carries restrictions on its variable, and those restrictions come from the original expression and survive any later cancellation.

This definition is part of the Algebra and Graphs chapter in Cambridge O Level Mathematics (Syllabus D).

Concepts related to Algebraic Fractions

• common denominator
• reciprocal
• factorise before cancelling
• excluded values
• rational expression