8TH GRADE

ALGEBRAIC
EXPRESSIONS
Week 5
Page 55
 8TH GRADE

OBJECTIVES
Illustrate rational algebraic expression
Simplify rational algebraic expressions
Perform operations on rational algebraic expressions

Solve problems involving rational algebraic

expressions
Foster independent learning on simplifying and
performing rational algebraic expressions
 8TH GRADE

RATIONAL
EXPRESSION
A rational expression in one
variable is an expression that
can be written in the form
P
Q , where P and Q are
polynomials in one variable
and Q ≠ O (undefined).
 Some Rational Expressions are: 8TH GRADE

01 03
Example 1 Example 3

02 04
Example 2 Example 4

Like any expression, we can evaluate or rewrite

rational expressions.
01
8TH GRADE

Evaluating
Rational Algebraic
Expressions
Page 55
 EVALUATING
8TH GRADE

ALGEBRAIC
EXPRESSIONS
In Evaluating Algebraic
Expressions, we replace the
variables with the given values
and then simplify the resulting
expression. (SUBSTITUTION)
Example 1: Evaluate the expression

when (a) x = 0 and (b) x = 1

 8TH GRADE
Example 1: Evaluate the expression
when (a) x = 0 and (b) x = 1
a. Solution: (x = 0) b. Solution: (x = 1)
 8TH GRADE
Example 2: Evaluate the expression
when (a) x = 1 and (b) x = 2
a. Solution: (x = 1) b. Solution: (x = 2)
 8TH GRADE
Example 3: Evaluate the expression
when (a) x = 2 and (b) x = 3
a. Solution: (x = 2) b. Solution: (x = 3)
Example 3: Evaluate the expression 8TH GRADE

when (a) a = 1, b = 2 and (b) a = 2, b = 3

a. Solution: (a = 1) b. Solution: (a = 2)
(b = 2) (b = 3)
Let’s Try! Evaluate the following expressions: 8TH GRADE

When a) x = 2 When a) x = 0
b) x = -1 b) x = -2
 8TH GRADE

ASSIGNMENT
Answer Practice and Application I
page 57.
Show your solution in your
notebook.
02
8TH GRADE

Undefined
Rational
Expressions
Page 56
 8TH GRADE
UNDEFINED RATIONAL EXPRESSION
What?
A rational expression is
undefined when the
denominator is equal to
zero.
How?
To find the values that make a rational expression
undefined, set the denominator equal to zero and
solve the resulting equation.
 8TH GRADE

Example 1: Find every value of the variable that

makes the expression undefined.

a. Copy the denominator

b. Equate the denominator
to zero(o).
The expression is undefined if a is replaced by 3
because the denominator would be 0.
 8TH GRADE

Example 2: Find every value of the variable that

makes the expression undefined.

a. Copy the denominator

b. Equate the denominator
to zero(o).

The expression is undefined if x is 2 or -1.

 8TH GRADE

Example 3: Find every value of the variable that

makes the expression undefined.

a. Copy the denominator

b. Equate the denominator
to zero(o).

The expression is undefined if the variables

a and b are equal.
 8TH GRADE

Example 4: DENOMINATOR (Q) AS SPECIAL

PRODUCTS
Difference of Two Squares

a. Copy the denominator

b. Equate the denominator
to zero(o).

The expression is undefined if d is -2 or 2.

 8TH GRADE

Example 5: DENOMINATOR (Q) AS SPECIAL

PRODUCTS
Quadratic Trinomial

a. Copy the denominator

b. Equate the denominator
to zero(o).

The expression is undefined if b is 6 or -1.

Let’s Try! Find the value of the variable that makes 8TH GRADE

each expression undefined:

 8TH GRADE

ASSIGNMENT
Answer Practice and Application
II numbers 12-15 page 57 .
Show your solution in your
notebook.
 8TH GRADE

ANNOUNCEMENT
1. Study the following:
a. Evaluating Rational Expressions - pages
55-56
b. Undefined Rational Expressions (Values of
Variables) - page 56 - 57
c. Simplifying Rational Expressions - pages 59
- 62
2. Quiz on Thursday, September 8, 2022.
3. Handouts will be posted through Google
Classwork.
03
8TH GRADE

Simplifying
Rational
Expressions
Page 59
 REVIEW: Reduce each fraction to its 8TH GRADE

lowest term
Prime Prime a Lowest
Fraction Factorization Factorization
b Term
(Numerator) (Denominator)
6 2•3 2
2•3 3•3
9 3•3 3
28 2•2•7 7
2•2•7 2•2•3•3
36 2•2•3•3 9
25 5•5 1
5•5 2•2•5•5
100 2•2•5•5 4
 8TH GRADE

PROPERTY OF
EQUIVALENT Implies that
FRACTIONS factors are
common to bo
th
If a, b, and c
are nonzero the numerator
and
denominator o
real numbers,
f a
fraction can b
ac a
then =
e
divided out.
bc b
 8TH GRADE

Simplifying Rational Expressions

Step 1 Step 3
Factor the
Rewrite the factor
numerator and
containing the
denominator.
GCF as 1.

Step 2 Step 4
Write factors of the Multiply the remaining
numerator and factors by 1 and check if
denominator including it’s already reduced to
the GCF. lowest terms.
 8TH GRADE

Example 1: Simplify the rational expression:

a. Factor the numerator

and denominator

b. Group the same factors

 8TH GRADE

Example 2: Simplify the rational expression:

a. Factor the numerator

and denominator

b. Cancel the common factor

 8TH GRADE

Example 3: Simplify the rational expression:

a. Factor the numerator

and denominator

b. Cancel the common factor

 8TH GRADE

Example 4: Simplify the rational expression:

a. Factor the numerator Division of Negatives

and denominator Examples:

b. Cancel the common factor

 Example 5: Simplify the rational expression 8TH GRADE

involving Special Products:

Difference of Two Squares
Quadratic Trinomial

a. Factor the numerator

and denominator

b. Cancel the common factor

 Example 6: Simplify the rational expression 8TH GRADE

involving Special Products:

Quadratic Trinomial

a. Factor the numerator

and denominator

b. Cancel the common factor

Difference of Two Squares

 8TH GRADE

Let’s Try! Simplify the expression:

 8TH GRADE

ASSIGNMENT
Answer Practice and Application I
numbers 6-10 page 63 .
Show your solution in your
notebook.