Rational Expression – is an expression that can be e.

y =
3𝑥+2√𝑥+2
written as a ratio of two polynomials. 𝑥−3

5
f. 6𝑥 − 𝑥+3
>0

SOLVING RATIONAL EQUATIONS

Procedure:
1. Eliminate denominators by multiplying each term of
the equation by the least common denominator.
2. Check the solutions of the transformed equation with
the original equation.

Example
Find the solutions for each rational equation below.
Make sure to check for extraneous solutions

Rational Equation – an equation involving rational 2 3 1

1. − 2𝑥 = 5
expression 𝑥
2 3 1
Example: 𝑥
− 2𝑥 = 5 𝑥+6 1
2. = 𝑥+1
Rational Inequality – An inequality involving rational 𝑥−4
expression.
2 3 1 𝑥 1 8
Example: − 2𝑥 > 5 3. 𝑥+2
− 𝑥−2 = 𝑥 2 −4
𝑥
Rational Function – A function of the form of f(x) =
p(x)/q(x) where p(x) and q(x) are polynomials, and q(x)
is not the zero function. Activity
2 3 Find the solutions for each rational equation below.
Example: f(x) = −
𝑥 2𝑥 Make sure to check for extraneous solutions
or
2 3 3 2
y = 𝑥 − 2𝑥 1. =
𝑥+1 𝑥−3

Activity 2𝑥 5
2. + 2𝑥 = 2
Determine which of the following are rational 𝑥+1
expressions.
15 𝑥 2 −10 −14−5𝑥
a. 𝑥−1 3. 𝑥−1
= 𝑥−1
√

b. 5x4 – 6x7 + 1 𝑥 2 −4𝑥 14−9𝑥

4. =
𝑥−2 𝑥−2
5−𝑥 3
c. 𝑥
Assignment
Determine whether the given is a rational function, a Find the solutions for each rational equation below.
rational equation, a rational inequality, or none of Make sure to check for extraneous solutions
these.
a. y = 5x3 – 2x + 1 1.
5 5
+ 𝑣+10 = 3
4
𝑣
6 𝑥
b. 𝑥
− 6 = 2𝑥−1 2𝑥−1
2. =5
𝑥+3
3
c. √𝑥 − 2 = 𝑥2 𝑥+2
2
3. 𝑥−3
= 2𝑥−5
𝑥−1
d. 𝑥+1
= 𝑥2
Prepared by: Mr. Jeffrey D. Del Mundo