GENERAL

MATHEMATICS
Grade 11
Scientists | Innovators
 RATIONAL
FUNCTIONS,
EQUATIONS AND
INEQUALITIES
RATIONAL FUNCTION 3

Rational Functions, Rational Equations

and Rational Inequalities are three sister
terms in the fields of mathematics. These
three terms are so connected to each other
but differ by some elements.
DEFINITIONS
RATIONAL FUNCTIONS 5

RATIONAL EXPRESSION
A rational expression is an
expression that can be written
as a ratio of two polynomials.
EXAMPLE:

2 2+𝑥 5
, ,
𝑥 𝑥−1 𝑥−3
RATIONAL FUNCTIONS 6

RATIONAL EQUATION
A rational equation is an
equation involving rational
expressions.
EXAMPLE:

2 2+𝑥 5
+ =
𝑥 𝑥−1 𝑥−3
RATIONAL FUNCTIONS 7

RATIONAL INEQUALITY
A rational inequality is an
inequality involving rational
expressions.
EXAMPLE:

2 2+𝑥 5
+ >
𝑥 𝑥−1 𝑥−3
RATIONAL FUNCTIONS 8

RATIONAL FUNCTION
A rational function is a function
𝑝(𝑥)
of the form 𝑓 𝑥 = where
𝑞(𝑥)
𝑝(𝑥) and 𝑞(𝑥) are polynomials
and 𝑞(𝑥) is not the zero function
(𝑞(𝑥) ≠ 0).
RATIONAL FUNCTIONS 9

RATIONAL FUNCTION
A rational function is a function
𝑝(𝑥)
of the form 𝑓 𝑥 = where
𝑞(𝑥)
𝑝(𝑥) and 𝑞(𝑥) are polynomials
EXAMPLE:

2
and 𝑞(𝑥) is not
𝑥 the
+ zero
2𝑥 function
−5
𝑓(𝑥) =(𝑞(𝑥) ≠ 0).
𝑥−3
 10

Determine whether the

given is a rational
function, a rational
equation, a rational
inequality or none of
these.
RATIONAL FUNCTION 11

1.

2+𝑥
=8
𝑥−1
RATIONAL FUNCTION 12

✓ RATIONAL EQUATION

2+𝑥
=8
𝑥−1
RATIONAL FUNCTION 13

2.

𝑥 > 𝑥+2
RATIONAL FUNCTION 14

✓ NONE OF THESE

𝑥 > 𝑥+2
RATIONAL FUNCTION 15

3.

𝑥+3
𝑓 𝑥 = 2
𝑥 −5
RATIONAL FUNCTION 16

✓ RATIONAL FUNCTION

𝑥+3
𝑓 𝑥 = 2
𝑥 −5
RATIONAL FUNCTION 17

4.

7
2𝑥 ≥
𝑥+4
RATIONAL FUNCTION 18

✓ RATIONAL INEQUALITY

7
2𝑥 ≥
𝑥+4
RATIONAL FUNCTION 19

5.

𝑥 4
= 3
2 𝑥+9𝑥
RATIONAL FUNCTION 20

✓ RATIONAL EQUATION

𝑥 4
= 3
2 𝑥+9𝑥
RATIONAL FUNCTION 21

NOTE
• A rational equation or inequality
can be solved for all x values that
satisfy the equation or inequality.
RATIONAL FUNCTION 22

NOTE
• A rational function expresses a
relationship between two variables
(such as x and y), and can be
represented by a table of values or a
graph.
THANK YOU