Look for short cuts in simplifying to lowers terms. Look at the answer in Example 4 p. 323. It is only necessary to check for possible factored forms of the numerator that contains one of the factors in the denominator. Since none of the denominator factors can be factors of the numerator, there are no common factors and the expression cannot be simplified. When multiplying polynomials, be sure that the signs are correct on the product terms.
Complex fractions are fractions that have additional fraction in the numerator, denominator or both.
There are two methods to simplify complex fractions. Simplify the numerator and denominator to single fraction. Apply the rules for division of fractions. Invert the divisor and multiply. Simplify your answer.