Final answer:
To simplify a complex fraction, one strategy is to find a common denominator for the smaller fractions within, simplify, and then divide the simplified numerator by the simplified denominator, canceling out common factors. This is different from the conjugate multiplication method.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks about the correct method to simplify a complex fraction. To simplify a complex fraction, one of the common methods is to multiply the numerator and the denominator of the fraction by the same quantity to eliminate the complexity. This process is different from multiplying by the conjugate, which is generally used to rationalize the denominator when dealing with expressions that involve square roots.
In the context of simplifying complex fractions, one strategy is to find a common denominator for the smaller fractions within the numerator and the denominator, then combine these to form single simplified fractions in the numerator and denominator. After this is done, you can simplify the complex fraction by dividing the numerator by the denominator. During this process, any common factors between the numerator and the denominator can be canceled out, simplifying the expression further.
It is important to note that when multiplying fractions, you multiply the numerators together and multiply the denominators together. This concept extends to complex fractions as well, though simplification might also require finding common factors or simplifying the expressions within the numerator and denominator before multiplying them together.