MODULE 3 : RATIONAL EQUATIONS, INEQUALITIES AND FUNCTIONS

LEARNING CONCEPTS AND ACTIVITIES

RATIONAL EXPRESSION
A rational expression is an expression that can be written as a quotient of two polynomials.
2𝑘 𝑎2 +4𝑎+3 𝑡 2 −4 ℎ−5
, , ,
5 𝑎+1 𝑡+2 3

RATIONAL EQUATION
A rational equation is an equation involving rational expressions.
𝑒+4 4 5 2 3 5
=5 , − = , =
3 𝑟 3𝑟 5 𝑖−2 𝑖−7

RATIONAL INEQUALITY
A rational inequality is an inequality involving rational expressions.
𝑤 2+𝑛 5 2 7
>5 , ≥1 , ≤ , <0
2 2−𝑛 𝑦−3 𝑦 𝑧+1

RATIONAL FUNCTION
𝑝(𝑥)
A rational function of the form 𝑓(𝑥) = where 𝑝(𝑥) and 𝑞(𝑥) are polynomial function and 𝑞(𝑥) is
𝑞(𝑥)
not the zero function.
𝑥 2 −9 3𝑥−6 2
𝑓(𝑥) = , 𝑔(𝑥) = ,𝑦=
3+𝑥 𝑥−2 𝑥

A rational equation or inequality can be solved for all x values that satisfy the equation or
inequality. A rational function expresses a relationship between two variables (such as x and y),
and can be represented by a table of values or graph.

SOLVING RATIONAL EQUATIONS

Steps to Solve Rational Equation:

1. Determine the LCD.
2. Eliminate the fractions by multiplying both sides of the equation by the LCD.
3. Solve the resulting equation by finding the value of the variable.
4. Check the solution in the original equation.

Two Solutions in Solving Rational Equation:

1. Real Solution - It is a value obtained that will make the rational equation true.
2. Extraneous Solution - It is a value obtained that is not a solution to the rational equation.

Examples:
Solve the following rational equations.
𝑥 𝑥 1
1. − =
3 4 2
3 5
2. =
𝑚−2 𝑚−7
𝑘 3 7𝑘
3. + =
𝑘−5 𝑘+2 (𝑘−5)(𝑘+2)

Solutions:

Example No. 1:
𝑥 𝑥 1
− =
3 4 2
STEP 1: The least common denominator (LCD) is 12.

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STEP 2: Multiply both sides of the equation by the LCD which is 12
𝑥 𝑥 1
12 ( − ) = 12 ( )
3 4 2
STEP 3: Solve for the value of 𝑥.
𝑥 𝑥 1
12 ( ) − 12 ( ) = 12 ( )
3 4 2
4𝑥 − 3𝑥 = 6
𝑥=6
𝑥 𝑥 1
STEP 4: Check the solution 𝑥 = 6 in the original equation − = .
3 4 2
𝑥 𝑥 1
− =
3 4 2
𝟔 𝟔 ?1
− =
3 4 2
24−18 ? 1
=
12 2
6 ? 1
=
12 2
1 1
=
2 2
Thus, the solution is 𝑥 = 6.

Example No. 2:
4 9
=
𝑚 𝑚−2
STEP 1: The LCD is 𝑚(𝑚 − 2).
STEP 2: Multiply both sides of the equation by the LCD 𝑚(𝑚 − 2).
4 9
𝑚(𝑚 − 2) ( ) = 𝑚(𝑚 − 2) ( )
𝑚 𝑚−2
STEP 3: Solve for the value of 𝑚.
4 9
𝑚(𝑚 − 2) ( ) = 𝑚(𝑚 − 2) ( )
𝑚 𝑚−2

(𝑚 − 2)(4) = 9𝑚
4𝑚 − 8 = 9𝑚
9𝑚 − 4𝑚 = −8
5𝑚 = −8
8
𝑚=−
5
STEP 4: Check if the answer is correct.
4 9
𝟖 = 𝟖
−𝟓 −𝟓−2
5 9
4 (− ) = −8−10
8
5
5 9
− = −18
2
5
5 5
− = 9 (− )
2 18
5 5
− =−
2 2

4 9 8
Therefore, the solution of the rational equation = is 𝑚 = − .
𝑚 𝑚−2 5

Example No. 3:
𝑘 3 7𝑘
+ =
𝑘 − 5 𝑘 + 2 (𝑘 − 5)(𝑘 + 2)
STEP 1: The LCD is (𝑘 − 5)(𝑘 + 2).
STEP 2: Multiply both sides of the equation by the LCD (𝑘 − 5)(𝑘 + 2).

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STEP 3: Solve for the value of 𝑘.
𝑘 3 7𝑘
(𝑘 − 5)(𝑘 + 2) ( ) + (𝑘 − 5)(𝑘 + 2) ( ) = (𝑘 − 5)(𝑘 + 2) ( )
𝑘−5 𝑘+2 (𝑘 − 5)(𝑘 + 2)
(𝑘 + 2)(𝑘) + (𝑘 − 5)(3) = 7𝑘
𝑘 2 + 2𝑘 + 3𝑘 − 15 = 7𝑘
𝑘 2 + 5𝑘 − 15 = 7𝑘
𝑘 2 + 5𝑘 − 7𝑘 − 15 = 0
𝑘 2 − 2𝑘 − 15 = 0
(𝑘 + 3)(𝑘 − 5) = 0
𝑘+3= 0 or 𝑘−5 =0
𝑘 = 0−3 𝑘 =0+5
𝑘 = −3 𝑘=5
STEP 4: Check if 𝑘 = −3 and 𝑘 = 5 are solutions. Substitute the obtained values of k on the given
rational equation.
If 𝑘 = −3, If 𝑘 = 5,
𝑘 3 7𝑘 𝑘 3 7𝑘
+ = (𝑘−5)(𝑘+2) + = (𝑘−5)(𝑘+2)
𝑘−5 𝑘+2 𝑘−5 𝑘+2
−𝟑
+
3 ?
=
7(−𝟑) 𝟓
+
3 ?
=
7(𝟓)
−𝟑−5 −𝟑+2 (−𝟑−5)(−𝟑+2) 𝟓−5 𝟓+2 (𝟓−5)(𝟓+2)
−3 3 ? −21 5 3 ? 35
+ = + =
−8 −1 (−8)(−1) 0 7 (0)(7)
3
−3= ? −21 5 3
+ ?=
35
8 8 0 7 0
3−24 ? −21
8
=
8
Notice that if 𝑘 = 5, the fraction will
−21
 −21
= become undefined.
8 8

Real Solution: 𝑘 = −3
Extraneous Solution: 𝑘 = 5

Example No. 4:
In an inter-barangay basketball league, the team from Barangay Sampaloc has won 12 out of 25
games, a winning percentage of 48%. How many games should they win in a row to improve their
win percentage of 60%?

Let x represent the number of games

12+𝑥
The equation will be = 0.6
25+𝑥

STEP 1: The LCD is (25 + 𝑥)

STEP 2: Multiply both sides by the LCD.
12 + 𝑥
(25 + 𝑥) ( ) = (25 + 𝑥)(0.6)
25 + 𝑥
STEP 3: Solve the equation.
12 + 𝑥
(25 + 𝑥) ( ) = (25 + 𝑥)(0.6)
25 + 𝑥
12 + 𝑥 = (25)(0.6) + (𝑥)(0.6)
12 + 𝑥 = 15 + 0.6𝑥
12 + 𝑥 = 15 + 0.6𝑥
𝑥 − 0.6𝑥 = 15 − 12
0.4𝑥 = 3
3
𝑥=
0.4
𝑥 = 7.5
STEP 4: Check if the solution is correct.
12 + 𝑥
= 0.6
25 + 𝑥
12 + 𝟕. 𝟓
= 0.6
25 + 𝟕. 𝟓

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 19.75
= 0.6
32.5

Thus, Barangay Sampaloc needs to win 8 games in a row to raise their winning percentage to 60%.

SOLVING RATIONAL INEQUALITIES

Steps in Solving Rational Inequalities:

1. Rewrite the inequality as single rational expression on one side of the inequality symbol and
0 on the other side.
2. Factor the numerator and denominator as much as possible.
3. Determine where both the numerator and denominator are zero. These are the numbers
where rational expression may change sign.
4. Build a number line using these numbers to define ranges out of which to pick test points.
Use a shaded circle to indicate that the value is included in the solution set, and hollow
circle to indicate that the value is excluded.
5. Summarize the intervals containing the solutions.

Examples:
Solve the following rational inequalities.
𝑥+1
1. ≤0
𝑥−5
2𝑥
2. ≥1
𝑥+1
𝑥 2 +4𝑥+4
3. > 0
𝑥−1

Solutions:
𝑥+1
Example No. 1: ≤0
𝑥−5

STEP 1: The inequality is already expressed as a single rational expression on one side and 0 on
the other side.

STEP 2: The numerator and denominator are in simplified form.

STEP 3: Determine where both the numerator and the denominator are zero.
numerator: 𝑥 = −1 denominator: 𝑥 = 5

STEP 4: Build a number line using these points to define ranges out of which to pick test points.
𝑥+1
≤0
𝑥−5

𝑥+1 𝑥+1 𝑥+1

≤0 ≤0 ≤0
𝑥−5 𝑥−5 𝑥−5

−𝟐 + 1 𝟎+1 𝟔+1
≤0 ≤0 ≤0
−𝟐 − 5 𝟎−5 𝟔−5

−1 1 7
≤0 ≤0 ≤0
−7 −5 1
TRUE
1 7≤0
≤0
7 FALSE
FALSE

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We need regions that make the rational expression negative. We avoid 𝑥 = 5 since that gives
division by zero.

STEP 5: The solution for this inequality is,

Set builder notation: {𝑥| − 1 ≤ 𝑥 < 5}
Interval Notation: [−1, 5)

2𝑥
Example No. 2: ≥1
𝑥+1
2𝑥
≥1
𝑥+1
STEP 1: Rewrite the inequality as single rational expression on one side of the inequality symbol
and 0 on the other side.

2𝑥
−1 ≥0
𝑥+1
2𝑥 − (𝑥 + 1)
≥0
𝑥+1
𝑥−1
≥0
𝑥+1
STEP 2: The numerator and denominator are in simplified form.

𝑥−1
≥0
𝑥+1
STEP 3: Determine where both the numerator and the denominator are zero.
numerator: 𝑥 = 1 denominator: 𝑥 = −1

STEP 4: Build a number line using these points to define ranges out of which to pick test points.

2𝑥 2𝑥 2𝑥
≥1 ≥1 ≥1
𝑥+1 𝑥+1 𝑥+1

2(−𝟐) 2(𝟎) 2(𝟐)

≥1 ≥1 ≥1
−𝟐 + 1 𝟎+1 𝟐+1

−4 0 4
≥1 ≥1 ≥1
−1 1 3
TRUE
4≥1 0≥1
TRUE FALSE

STEP 5: The solution for this inequality is,

Set builder notation: {𝑥|𝑥 < −1 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 ≥ 2}
Interval Notation: (−∞, −1) ∪ [1, ∞)

𝑥 2 +4𝑥+4
Example No. 3: >0
𝑥−1
STEP 1: The inequality is already expressed as a single rational expression on one side and 0 on
the other side.

STEP 2: Factor the polynomial in the numerator.

(𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 + 1)
>0
𝑥−1
STEP 3: Determine where both the numerator and the denominator are zero.
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 numerator: = −3 , 𝑥 = −1
denominator: 𝑥 = 1
STEP 4: Test points

(𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 + 1) (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 + 1) (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 + 1) (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 + 1)

>0 >0 >0 >0
𝑥−1 𝑥−1 𝑥−1 𝑥−1

(−𝟒 + 3)(−𝟒 + 1) (−𝟐 + 3)(−𝟐 + 1) (𝟎 + 3)(𝟎 + 1) (𝟐 + 3)(𝟐 + 1)

>0 >0 >0 >0
−𝟒 − 1 −𝟐 − 1 𝟎−1 𝟐−1

(−1)(−3) (1)(−1) (3)(1) (5)(3)

>0 >0 >0 >0
−5 −3 −1 1

3 1 −3 > 0 15 > 0
>0 >0
−5 3 FALSE TRUE
FALSE TRUE

We are after values of x that makes the inequality strictly positive and so that looks the second
and fourth regions and we won’t include any endpoints here.

STEP 5: The solution for this inequality is,

Set builder notation: {𝑥|𝑥 − 3 < 𝑥 < −1 or 𝑥 > 1}
Interval Notation: (−3, −1) ∪ (1, ∞)

References:
1. Chua, R. E. et al. (2016). General Mathematics. Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing House. pp. 43-
56.
2. Camilon, M. G. et al. (2016). General Mathematics for SHS. Quezon City: Educational Resources
Corp.
3. Oronce, O. A. et al. (2016). General Mathematics. Quezon City: Rex Publishing, Inc. pp. 38-53.
4. Versoza, D. B. et al. (2016). General Mathematics Learner’s Material First Edition. Quezon City:
Lexicon Press Inc. pp. 13-20.
5. Orines, F. B. et al. (2016). Next Century Mathematics General Mathematics. Quezon City:
Phoenix Publishing House. pp. 38-53.

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