Video: Simplifying Algebraic Fractions

Video Transcript

Simplify negative 20𝑥 over negative 10𝑥.

We can take negative 20𝑥 over negative 10𝑥 and break it into pieces. Our negative on the outside is representative of multiplying your fraction by negative one. We’re going to multiply everything by negative one.

The numerator is saying 20 times 𝑥, and the denominator negative 10 times 𝑥. Let’s group the like terms even further. Negative one stays there. Then we can group 20 over negative 10 and multiply that by 𝑥 times 𝑥. Here’s what we have: negative one times 20 over negative 10 times 𝑥 over 𝑥. We can’t simplify negative one any further yet, but 20 divided by negative 10 is equal to negative two. 𝑥 divided by 𝑥 equals one.

Any number, any value, over itself is a fraction of one. Negative one times negative two times one equals positive two. Negative 20𝑥 over negative 10𝑥 in its most simplified form is two.