HINT. Change the second fraction to an equivalent fraction whose

HINT.

10.

(p − q)2 (p + q)2 _ P _ L.

4 pq

___

4 pq 2q

2p

Remove parentheses and collect terms before changing to a common denominator.

MULTIPLICATION OF FRACTIONS

295. The product of two or more arithmetical fractions is the product of their numerators divided by the product of their denominators. The result should be reduced to lowest terms.

296. The product of two or more algebraic fractions can be found in the same way.

To shorten the work, we usually cancel all factors common to the numerators and denominators before multiplying.

15. What is the numerator of the product when all the factors of the numerator are canceled?

16. What is the nature of the product when all the factors of the denominator are canceled?

17. What is the product if all factors of both numerator and denominator are canceled?

298. To multiply expressions some or all of which contain fractions : 1. Reduce all integral and mixed expressions to the fractional form. 2. Factor all polynomials that can be factored in the numerators and denominators.

3. Cancel all factors common to the numerators and denominators. 4. Multiply together the remaining factors in the numerators for the numerator of the result; and the remaining factors in the denominator for the denominator of the result.