8

NAME: _______________________________________________
GRADE AND SECTION: __________________________________

QUARTER 1 WEEK 3

Mathematics
A Self-Learning
Module
for the

First Quarter
School Year 2020 – 2021

Ferdinand Cogan Packoy

Pines City National High School

Mathematics Teacher

1
 RATIONAL ALGEBRAIC
MODULE 3
EXPRESSIONS

Rational Algebraic Expression is a topic that needs to be understood

especially on operations involving these expressions. This module has been
created to provide essential concepts and skills involving rational algebraic
expressions. It includes self-guided activities that will help the learners
understand the concept on rational algebraic expressions.
Quarter: First Quarter
Week: Week 3
Most Essential Learning Competencies: • Illustrates rational algebraic
expressions. M8AL-Ic-1

• Simplifies rational algebraic expressions. M8AL-Ic-2

In this module, you will have the following lessons:

Lesson 1: Rational Algebraic Expressions: An introduction.

Lesson 2: Domain of Rational Algebraic Expressions.

Lesson 3: Evaluating Rational Algebraic Expressions.

Lesson 4: Simplifying Rational Algebraic Expressions.

Objectives: At the end of the module, the learner will be able to:
1. define and illustrate rational algebraic expressions.
2. determine the value which makes the rational algebraic
expressions undefined.
3. find the domain of a rational algebraic expression.
4. evaluate rational algebraic expressions.
5. simplify rational algebraic expressions.

2
 DAY 1
Pre-assessment
Instruction: Answer the following questions about rational algebraic
expressions. Encircle the letter of your answer.
1. Which of the following is a rational algebraic expression?
2x x2 √2 x + y a+b
a. b. c. d.
3y √y 3 y −2 5−5
3 x −7
2. What makes the expression undefined?
2 x +8
a. 4 b. −4 c. 8 d. −8
2 x +4
3. What is the value of when x=1?
3
a. 4 b. 3 c. 2 d. 1
x+ 3
4. For what value of x will make the expression undefined?
x−8
a. 2 b. 8 c. -8 d. -2
2+ x
5. What is the domain of the expression ?
x−4
a. { x|x ≠ 4 } b. { x|x ≠−4 } c. { x|x ≠ 2 } d. { x|x ≠−2 }

x2 − y 2
6. If x=−3 ; y=4, then what is the value of ?
10
7 −7
a. 2 b. -2 c. d.
10 10

10 a2 b
7. What is the simplified form of ?
15 ab
10 ab 2b 10 b 2a
a. b. c. d.
15 b 3a 5a 3
3 x +9
8. Simplify:
6 x+18
1
a. b. 1 c. 2 d. 3
2

x2 +5 x +6
9. The expression is equal to ____.
x 2−9
x+1 x+3 x+ 2 x+ 1
a. b. c. d.
x+3 x+2 x−3 x−3

3
 x 3−8
10. Simplify:
x2 +2 x+ 4
1 x−2 x +2
a. b. c.x−2 d.
x−2 x+4 x+ 4

Lesson 1 Rational Algebraic Expressions:

An Introduction

A rational algebraic expression is a ratio of two polynomials

P
provided that the denominator is not equal to zero. In symbols: ,
Q
where P and Q are polynomials and Q≠ 0.

Exercise: CLASSIFY ME
Classify whether the expression is a rational algebraic expression or
not. Place a tick mark on the corresponding column. Item number 1 serves
as your example. Start on item number 2.
Expression Rational Algebraic Not Rational Algebraic
Expressions Expressions
8
1.
x6
m
2.
3 m 2−6
m+8
3.
0
10−x
4.
x3
n+2
5.
n−2
a−2
6.
c
x +5
7.
8−8

4
 y 2 +6 y +5
8.
y +1
3 a−1
9.
1−3 a
b+5
10. 2
b −25

Guide Questions:
1. How many expressions did you classify as rational algebraic expressions?

2. How many expressions did you classify as not rational algebraic

expressions?

3. How did you differentiate a rational algebraic expression from not rational
algebraic expression?

4. What difficulty did you encounter in classifying the expressions?

Note: The restricted value(s) of rational expression is/are value(s) of

a variable in the denominator that would make it zero.

x+ 5
In , any number can be substituted for x except 3. If x=3, then
x−3
x+ 5 3+5 8
= = the result is undefined.
x−3 3−3 0
Therefore, we say that 3 is the restricted value.

Reminder:
0 0 n 8
=0 (e.g. =0 ¿ ; =undefined (e.g. =undefined ¿
n 8 0 0

Question: How do we determine the restricted value of a given rational

expression?
Answer: To determine the restricted value of a given rational expression;
a. set the denominator of the expression equal to zero,
b. then solve the unknown variable.

Recall:

• Addition Property of Equality (APE): If the same quantities are added on both sides of the
equation, then the equation remains true. If5a=b , thena+ c=b+ c.
• Subtraction Property of Equality (SPE): If the same quantities are subtracted on both sides
of the equation, then the equation remains true. If a=b , thena−c=b−c.
• Multiplication Property of Equality (MPE): If the same quantities are multiplied on both
Illustrative Examples:
x−4
1.
x−8
a. Set the denominator equal to zero.
x−8=0
b. Solve for the value of x.
• Omit the constant term on the left side of the equation by applying
addition property of equality:
x−8+ ( 8 )=0+(8) Add 8 on both sides of the equation.
x=8
Therefore, the restricted value of the given expression is 8. Because if 8
is to be substituted to the expression, then it will be undefined as shown:
x−4 8−4 4
= = =¿ undefined
x−8 8−8 0

x+ 3
2.
2 x +4
a. Set the denominator equal to zero.
2 x+ 4=0
b. Solve for the value of x.
• Omit the constant term on the left side of the equation by applying
subtraction property of equality:
2 x+ 4−( 4 )=0−( 4) Subtract 4 on both sides of the equation.

2 x=−4
• Apply division property of equality:

Divide both sides of the equation by 2.

6
 2 x −4
=
2 2
x=−2
Therefore, the restricted value of the given expression is -2. Because
when -2 is to be substituted on the expression, then the result will be
undefined as shown:
x+ 3 −2+3 1 1
= = = =¿ undefined
2 x +4 2 (−2 ) + 4 −4+ 4 0

8
3.
−3 y−7
a. Set the denominator equal to zero.
−3 y−7=0
b. Solve for the value of y.
• Omit the constant term on the left side of the equation by applying
addition property of equality:
−3 y−7+ ( 7 )=0+(7) Add 7 on both sides of the equation.
−3 y=7
• Apply division property of equality:
−3 y 7 Divide both sides of the equation by -3.
=
−3 −3
−7
y=
3
−7
Therefore, the restricted value of the expression is . Because when
3

−7
is to be substituted on the expression, then the result will be undefined.
3
8 8 8 8
= = = =¿
−3 y−7 −7 7−7 0 undefined
−3( )
3
−7

2x
4. 2
x +3 x +2

7
a. Set the denominator equal to zero.

x 2+ 3 x +2=0
b. Solve for the value of x.
• Factor the trinomial on the left side of the equation:

x 2+ 3 x +2=0
( x +1 )( x +2 )=0
•Set each factor to zero:
x +1=0 ; x +2=0
• Apply subtraction property of equality on the two equations:

Subtract 1 on both sides of equation 1 Subtract 2 on both sides of equation 2

x +1−(1)=0−(1) x +2−( 2 )=0−(2)
x=−1 x=−2
Therefore, the restricted values of the expression are -1 or -2. Because
when -1 is substituted on the given expression, the result is undefined.
Or if -2 is substituted on the expression, then the result is still undefined.
2x 2(−1) −2 −2 −2
If x=−1; 2
= 2
= = = =undefined
x +3 x +2 (−1 ) +3 (−1 ) +2 1−3+2 −2+2 0

2x 2(−2) −4 −2 −2
If x=−2; 2
= 2
= = = =undefined
x +3 x +2 (−2 ) +3 (−2 ) +2 4−6+ 2 −2+2 0

Activity: Determine the value(s) of x that will make each expression

undefined.
x
Sample item:
−2 x−10
−2 x−10=0 → −2 x−10+ ( 10 )=0+(10) → −2 x=10
−2 x 10
= → x=−5
−2 −2
x
Therefore, the restricted value of is −5.
−2 x−10
3 x 3−1
1. 4.
x−4 2 x−9

8
 2 x2+ x x−4
2. 5. 2
3 x−6 x + 4 x−5

x+ 5
3.
5x+4

DAY 2

Lesson 2
Domain of rational algebraic expressions

The domain of a rational algebraic expression is set of all

numbers except the restricted value(s).

To determine the domain of a Rational Algebraic Expression, you

should determine the restricted value(s) first. And then, the answer will be all
numbers except the restricted value(s).
Illustrative Examples:
Determine the domain of the following expressions.
1
1.
x−5
a. Set the denominator equal to zero.
x−5=0

9
b. Solve for the value of x.
x−5+ ( 5 )=0+(5) Apply addition property of equality. Add 5 on both sides
of the equation.
x=5
The restricted value of the expression is 5. Therefore, the domain of
the expression is set of all numbers except 5.
Answer: D : { x|x ≠ 5 } Write the domain in set builder notation.

(read as “the domain isthe set of all x such that x is not equal ¿ 5 )

2x
2.
3 x +9
a. Set the denominator equal to zero.
3 x+ 9=0
b. Solve for the value of x.
3 x+ 9−( 9 )=0−(9) Apply subtraction property of equality. Subtract 9 on
both sides of the equation.
3 x=−9
3 x −9 Apply division property of equality. Divide both sides of
=
3 3 the equation by 3.
x=−3
The restricted value of the expression is -3. Therefore, the domain of
the expression is set of all numbers except -3.
Answer: D: { x|x ≠−3 } Write the domain in set builder notation.
(read as “ the domain isthe set of all x such that x is not equal ¿−3 )

2 k +5
3.
2 k−5
a. Set the denominator equal to zero.
2 k−5=0
b. Solve for the value of k.
2 k−5+ ( 5 )=0+(5) Apply addition property of equality. Add 5 on both sides
of the equation.
2 k=5
2k 5 Apply division property of equality. Divide both sides of
=
2 2 the equation by 2.

10
 5
k=
2
5
The restricted value of the expression is . Therefore, the domain of
2
5
the expression is set of all numbers except .
2
Write the domain in set builder notation.

{ | 52 }
Answer: D : k k ≠

5
(read as “ the domain isthe set of all k such that k is not equal¿ )
2

5x
4.
x2 −4
a. Set the denominator equal to zero.

x 2−4=0
b. Solve for the value of x.

x 2−4=0 Factor the expression on the left side of the equation.

( x +2 )( x−2 )=0
x +2=0 ; x−2=0 Set the factors equal to zero.

x +2=0 x−2=0

x +2−(2)=0−(2) x−2+ ( 2 )=0+(2)

x=−2 x=2
The restricted values of the expression are -2 or 2. Therefore, the
domain of the expression is set of all numbers except -2 or 2.
Answer: D : { x|x ≠−2∨2 } Write the domain in set builder notation.

(read as “ the domain isthe set of all x such that x is not equal ¿−2∨2 )

Activity: Find the domain of the following rational algebraic expressions.

8
1.
x+10

11
 m+ 4
2.
5 m−25

x 2−4
3.
−4 x +18

3 x +2
4.
x2 −100

x 3 +27
5.
x2 +5 x +6

DAY 3

Lesson 3 Evaluating rational algebraic expressions

To evaluate a rational algebraic expression, you have to substitute

the number for each variable and perform the indicated operations.

Illustrative Examples:
x+ y
1. What is the value of , when x=2 and y = 1?
2x

12
Solution:
x+ y ( 2 ) + ( 1 ) 3
= =
2x 2( 2) 4

k 2−2 k −8
2. Find the value of , when k =−2?
16−k 2
Solution:
2
k 2−2 k −8 (−2 ) −2 (−2 )−8 4+ 4−8 0
= = = =0
16−k 2 2
16−(−2 ) 16−4 12

Activity 1: Evaluate the following rational algebraic expressions given the

values of the variables. (x=1 , y=2 , a=−1¿

x+ 8 a 1+8 (−1) 1−8 −7

Sample item: = = =
y +1 2+1 3 3

2x
1.
x+ 9

y 3−1
2.
y 2 +1

2 a2 + 3 a
3.
a

x2 +2 xy + y 2
4.
3 a−1

13
 a2 +3 y +2
5.
x− y 2

Activity 2: WHAT’S MY VALUE?

Determine the value of each expression by competing the last column of the
table below.
Expression Value of x Value of y My Value
x
y2 4 -1

x 2−1
x2 −2 x +1 -2

2 y −8
2
y −7 y +10 3
6 x 2−2 x−4 y
6 x2 +10 x+ 4 y 0 1

x 3−4 x 2+3 x−12

x3 −2 x 2 +3 x−6 y -2 5

Self-check

14
 Photo Credit: Ferdinand C. Packoy

Do you know the year when the construction of the Baguio Cathedral
began?

You can answer the question by evaluating the given rational

expressions. Write the value of each expression on the blanks above the box.

_________ __________ __________ __________

8 x−2 x2 + 4 y y 2+ 2 y−1 x 2−2 y

5 x+1 2 x +3 −2 y−5 x2 +3 x−2 y

x=1 x=−1 y=−3 x=2

y=2 y=2

DAY 4

Lesson 4 Simplifying rational algebraic

expressions

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Activity: CONNECT ME TO MY EQUIVALENT
Match column A to its equivalent simplest fraction in column B. Use
line to connect the equivalent fractions. One item serves as your example.

Column A Column B
3 9
18 7
13 1
52 6
10 2
25 5
18 1
14 2
13 1
26 4

Questions:
1. How did you find the equivalent fractions in column A?

2. Do you think you can apply the same concept in simplifying a

rational algebraic expression?

You might wonder how to answer the last question but the key
concept of simplifying rational algebraic expressions is the concept of
reducing a fraction to its simplest form.

A rational expression is in its simplest form or lowest terms

when the numerator and the denominator have no common factor
except 1.

To reduce a rational expression to its simplest form:

16
a. Factor both the numerator and the denominator simultaneously into their
prime factors.
b. “Divide out” or “cancel out” the common factors on the numerator and the
denominator.
c. Write the remaining factors.
Keep in mind that we are dividing out factors, not terms.
Note: If all the factors on the numerator and on the denominator are
cancelled out or divided out, the result will NOT be equal to zero but equal
x−3
to 1 (e.g. =1)
x−3
Illustrative Examples: Simplify the following rational algebraic expressions.

15 x 4 y z 6
1.
6 x2 y3
Solution: a. Factor the expression on the numerator and on the
denominator

15 x 4 y z 6 3• 5• x 2 • x 2 • y • z 6
. =¿
6 x2 y3 3 •2 • x 2 • y • y 2
b. Divide out the common factor

3• 5• x 2 • x 2 • y • z 6
3 •2 • x 2 • y • y 2

5 x 2 z6
c. Answer:
2 y2

4 a+20 b
2.
8
Solution: a. Factor the expression on the numerator and on the
denominator
4 a+20 b 4 ( a+5 b )
=¿
8 4•2
b. Divide out the common factor
4 ( a+5 b )
4•2
a+5 b
c. Answer:
2

17
 x2 +3 x +2
3.
x 2−1
Solution: a. Factor the expression on the numerator and on the denominator

x2 +3 x +2 ( x +2 ) ( x+1 )
=
x 2−1 ( x +1 ) ( x −1 )
b. Divide out the common factor
( x+ 2 )( x +1 )
( x+1 ) ( x−1 )
x+ 2
c. Answer:
x−1

−4 a+2 ab+3 b−6

4.
2a 2+7 a+6
Solution: a. Factor the expression on the numerator and on the denominator

−4 a+2 ab+3 b−6 ( 2 a+3 ) ( b−2 )

=
2a 2+7 a+6 ( 2 a+3 ) ( a+2 )
b. Divide out the common factor
( 2a+ 3 ) ( b−2 )
( 2 a+3 ) ( a+2 )
b−2
c. Answer:
a+2

x3 +27
5.
x 2−9
Solution: a. Factor the expression on the numerator and the denominator

Note: Factoring the sum or difference of two cubes

a 3+ b3=( a+ b ) ( a2 −ab+b 2)

a 3−b3 =( a−b ) ( a2 +ab+ b2 )

2
x3 +27 ( x +3 ) ( x −3 x+ 9 )
=
x 2−9 ( x+3 )( x−3 )
b. Divide out the common factor

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 ( x+3 ) ( x 2−3 x +9 )
( x +3 ) ( x−3 )

x2 −3 x +9
c. Answer:
x−3

Activity: Simplify the following rational algebraic expressions. Write the

solution after each expression.

x 3 +8
Sample item:
3 x 2−6 x +12

x 3 +8 ( x+2 ) (x 2−2 x +4 ) ( x +2 ) ( x 2−2 x + 4) x +2

= = =
3 x 2−6 x +12 3 ( x 2−2 x + 4) 3( x 2−2 x+ 4) 3

y 2+ 5 y+ 4
1.
y 2+3 y −4

−15 x 4 y 3
2.
35 x3 y 5

m 2−49
3.
m 2+5 m−14

a2 +9 a+ 8
4.
a2−2 a−3

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 x 3−8
5.
x2 +2 x+ 4

DAY 5

Self-check

Photo Credit: Ferdinand C. Packoy

Burnham Park is an urban park located at the heart of Baguio, in the

Philippines. It was named after the American architect and urban planner,
Daniel Hudson Burnham who laid the plans for the city.
The Burnham Park has a total land area of __ __ . __ __ hectares.
c d a b
Complete the statement above by following the given instruction.

Instruction: Simplify the following rational algebraic expressions. Choose

your answer on the choices below and write the number of your
corresponding answer on the blank to complete the statement.

Rational expressions: Choices:

4 x3 y xy x+1
a. (1) (2)
16 x 2 y 2 4 x+2

12 x−36 x+5 4
b. (3) (4)
9 x−27 x+2 3

x2 +3 x−10 5 3
c. (5) (6)
x 2−4 x+2 4

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 2 x 2 +3 x+1 x+2 x
d. (7) (8)
2 x 2 +5 x+2 x+1 4y

Solution box: (Place your solution in the box)

Post-assessment
Instruction: Answer the following questions about rational algebraic
expressions. Encircle the letter of your answer.
1. Which of the following is a rational algebraic expression?
2x x2 √2 x + y a+b
a. b. c. d.
3y √y 3 y −2 5−5
3 x −7
2. What makes the expression undefined?
2 x +8
a. 4 b. −4 c. 8 d. −8
2 x +4
3. What is the value of when x=1?
3
a. 4 b. 3 c. 2 d. 1
x+ 3
4. For what value of x will make the expression undefined?
x−8
a. 2 b. 8 c. -8 d. -2
2+ x
5. What is the domain of the expression ?
x−4
a. { x|x ≠ 4 } b. { x|x ≠−4 } c. { x|x ≠ 2 } d. { x|x ≠−2 }

x2 − y 2
6. If x=−3 ; y=4, then what is the value of ?
10
7 −7
a. 2 b. -2 c. d.
10 10

21
 10 a2 b
7. What is the simplified form of ?
15 ab
10 ab 2b 10 b 2a
a. b. c. d.
15 b 3a 5a 3
3 x +9
8. Simplify:
6 x+18
1
a. b. 1 c. 2 d. 3
2

x2 +5 x +6
9. The expression is equal to ____.
x 2−9
x+1 x+3 x+ 2 x+ 1
a. b. c. d.
x+3 x+2 x−3 x−3

x 3−8
10. Simplify: 2
x +2 x+ 4
1 x−2 x +2
a. b. c.x−2 d.
x−2 x+4 x+ 4

22