General SENIOR

HIGH
Mathematics SCHOOL

Rational Equation and Module

Inequalities 5
Quarter 3
General Mathematics
Quarter 1 – Module 5: Rational Equations and Inequalities
First Edition, 2020

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work of
the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or office
wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit. Such
agency or office may, among other things, impose as a condition the payment of royalties.

Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names,
trademarks, etc.) included in this module are owned by their respective copyright holders.
Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these materials from their
respective copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not represent nor claim ownership
over them.

Published by the Department of Education Division of Pasig City

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Marvin N. Acebedo
Editors: Nenet M. Peñaranda
Reviewers: Christopher Cruz, Raffy D. Maga, Annie Acostia, and Ron Robert Pecaña
Illustrator: Name
Layout Artist: Name
Management Team: Ma. Evalou Concepcion A. Agustin
OIC-Schools Division Superintendent
Carolina T. Rivera, Ed. D.
OIC-Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
Victor M. Javeña, Ed. D.
Chief - School Governance and Operations Division
Manuel A. Laguerta, Ed.D.
Chief - Curriculum Implementation Division
Education Program Supervisors
1. Librada L. Agon, Ed. D., EPP/TLE
2. Liza A. Alvarez, Science
3. Bernard R. Balitao, Araling Panlipunan
4. Joselito E. Calios, English
5. Norlyn D. Conde, Ed. D., MAPEH
6. Wilma Q. Del Rosario, LRMS
7. Ma. Teresita E. Herrera, Ed. D., Filipino
8. Perlita M. Ignacio, Ph. D., ESP/SPED
9. Dulce O. Santos, Ed. D., Kinder/MTB
10. Teresita P. Tagulao, Ed. D., Mathematics

Printed in the Philippines by the Department of Education – Division of Pasig City

 General SENIOR
HIGH

Mathematics SCHOOL

Module

4
Quarter 3
Solving Rational Equations
and Inequalities
Introductory Message

For the facilitator:

Welcome to the General Mathematics for Senior High School Module on Rational
Equations and Inequalities

This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by educators from
Schools Division Office of Pasig City headed by its Officer-In-Charge Schools Division
Superintendent, Ma. Evalou Concepcion A. Agustin in partnership with the Local
Government of Pasig through its mayor, Honorable Victor Ma. Regis N. Sotto.
The writers utilized the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum using the Most
Essential Learning Competencies (MELC) while overcoming their personal, social,
and economic constraints in schooling.

This learning material hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Further, this also aims to help learners
acquire the needed 21st century skills especially the 5 Cs namely: Communication,
Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking and Character while taking into
consideration their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body of
the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies that
will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module.
You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to manage
their own learning. Moreover, you are expected to encourage and assist the learners
as they do the tasks included in the module.
For the learner:

Welcome to the General Mathematics Module on Rational Equations and Inequalities

The hand is one of the most symbolized part of the human body. It is often used to
depict skill, action and purpose. Through our hands we may learn, create and
accomplish. Hence, the hand in this learning resource signifies that you as a learner
is capable and empowered to successfully achieve the relevant competencies and
skills at your own pace and time. Your academic success lies in your own hands!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities for
guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be enabled to
process the contents of the learning material while being an active learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

Expectation - These are what you will be able to know after completing the
lessons in the module

Pre-test - This will measure your prior knowledge and the concepts to be
mastered throughout the lesson.

Recap - This section will measure what learnings and skills that you
understand from the previous lesson.

Lesson- This section will discuss the topic for this module.

Activities - This is a set of activities you will perform.

Wrap Up- This section summarizes the concepts and applications of the
lessons.

Valuing-this part will check the integration of values in the learning

competency.

Post-test - This will measure how much you have learned from the entire
module.
 EXPECTATION

Learning Objective:
1. To solve Rational Equations and Inequalities

PRETEST

Directions: Select the best answer in each item.

2 1
1. What is the solution of the rational equation = ?
𝑥 4
a. 8
b. -8
c. 4
d. -4

𝑥+1 3
2. For what value of x will make the rational equation = true?
𝑥+5 7
a. -2
b. -1
c. 2
d. 1

2 𝑥+2
3. Which of the following is an extraneous solution of the rational equation = ?
𝑥−1 𝑥−1
a. 1
b. -1
c. 0
d. 4

𝑥−1
4. What is the solution set of the rational inequality > 0?
𝑥+4
a. (-ꚙ,4) U (1,ꚙ)
b. (-ꚙ,-4) U (-1,ꚙ)
c. (ꚙ,-4) U (1,-ꚙ)
d. (-ꚙ,-4) U (1,ꚙ)

𝑥+1
5. For what values of x will make the rational inequality < 0 true?
𝑥+5
a. (5,1)
b. [-5,-1]
c. (-5,-1)
d. [5,1]
 RECAP

The following important terms will be used in this module. They are defined as follows:

1. Least Common Denominator (LCD) – the least common multiple of the denominator or the
product of the highest power of each prime factor appearing in the denominator.

2. Solution – any or all value(s) of the variable that satisfies and equation, inequality, systems
of equations or systems of inequalities.

3. Extraneous Solution – a solution that emerges from the process of solving the problem but is
not a valid solution to the problem.

4. Critical Values – these are the values of x that which render the numerator and the
denominator equal to zero.
 LESS0N

A number/value is said to be a solution of an equation if it satisfies the given equation.

In this lesson you are going to determine the solution/s of a rational equation algebraically.
So let’s get started.

Steps to solve rational equations.

I. Find the least common denominator (LCD).

II. Multiply each side of the equation by the LCD and simplify.
III. Solve the resulting equation.
IV. Check the solution(s) with the original equation.

1 1
Example 1: Solve the rational equation 𝑥 = − .
7 3
Solution:
I. Find the least common denominator (LCD).
Factors of 7: 7
Factors of 1: 1
LCD: 3(7) = 21
II. Multiply each side of the equation by the LCD and simplify.
1 1
21( 𝑥) = 21(− )
7 3

3𝑥 = −7
III. Solve the resulting equation.
3𝑥 = −7
3𝑥 7
=−
3 3
7
𝑥=−
3

IV. Check the solution(s) with the original equation.

1 1
𝑥 =−
7 3
1 7 1
(− ) = −
7 3 3
1 1
− =−
3 3

7
Therefore, x = − .
3
 1 5 3
Example 2: Solve for x: + =
2𝑥 4 𝑥

Solution:
I. Find the least common denominator (LCD).
To get the LCD we need to get the prime factor of the denominators in the equation.
Factors of 2x: 2(x)
Factors of 4= (2)(2)
Factors of x = (x)
LCD: (2)(2)(x) = 4x
II. Multiply each side of the equation by the LCD and simplify.
1 5 3
4𝑥( + ) = 4𝑥( )
2𝑥 4 𝑥
4𝑥 20𝑥 12𝑥
+ =
2𝑥 4 𝑥

2 + 5𝑥 = 12
III. Solve the resulting equation.
2 + 5𝑥 = 12
5𝑥 = 12 − 2
5𝑥 = 10
5𝑥 10
=
5 5

𝑥=2
IV. Check the solution(s) with the original equation.

1 5 3
+ =
2𝑥 4 𝑥

1 5 3
+ =
2(2) 4 (2)

1 5 3
+ =
4 4 2

6 3
=
4 2

3 3
=
2 2

The value of x is 2
 A set of values are said to be a solution set of an inequality if it satisfies the given
inequality. After learning how to solve rational equation next is you are going to determine the
solution set of a rational inequality algebraically. So let’s get started.

Steps in solving rational inequality.

I. Rewrite the inequality as a single rational expression on one side of the inequality
symbol and 0 on the other side.
II. Find the critical numbers; these are the values of x which make the numerator and
the denominator equal to zero.
III. Partition the x-axis into intervals based on the critical numbers.
IV. Pick a test point in each interval, evaluate the numerator and the denominator, and
perform a sign analysis.
V. Write the solution set.

𝑥−1
Example 1: Solve the inequality < 0.
𝑥+4

Solution:

I. Rewrite the inequality as a single rational expression on one side of the inequality.
𝑥−1
<0
𝑥+4
II. For the critical numbers.

For the numerator: For the denominator:

𝑥−1 = 0 𝑥+4 = 0
𝑥=1 𝑥 = −4

The critical numbers are 1 and -4

III. Partition the x-axis into intervals based on the critical numbers.

The intervals are (-ꚙ,-4),(-4,1) and (1, ꚙ).

IV. Pick a test point in each interval, evaluate the numerator and the denominator, and
perform a sign analysis.
 V. Write the solution set.

Since we are looking for the interval/s where the rational expression is negative (less than 0
𝑥−1
from the given rational inequality < 0), we determine the solution set to be the interval (-4,1).
𝑥+4
Plot this set on the number line.

4
Example 2: Solve for the inequality ≥ 2.
𝑥+2

Solution:

I. Rewrite the inequality as a single rational expression on one side of the inequality.
4
≥2
𝑥+2
4
−2 ≥0
𝑥+2
4 2(𝑥 + 2)
− ≥0
𝑥+2 𝑥+2
4 − 2(𝑥 + 2)
≥0
𝑥+2
4 − 2𝑥 − 4)
≥0
𝑥+2
−2𝑥
≥0
𝑥+2
II. For the critical numbers.
For the numerator: For the denominator:
−2𝑥 = 0 𝑥+2 = 0
𝑥=0 𝑥 = −2
The critical numbers are -2 and 0

III. Partition the x-axis into intervals based on the critical numbers.

The intervals are (-ꚙ,-2), (-2,0], and [0, ꚙ)

(Why is the interval closed head at 0 but not at -2? A critical number is included in the solution set if it makes
the rational expression equal to zero, since the inequality sign in the rational inequality is ≥.)
 IV. Pick a test point in each interval, evaluate the numerator and the denominator, and
perform a sign analysis.

V. Write the solution set.

Since we are looking for the intervals where the rational expression is positive or
zero, we determine the solution to be the interval (-2,0]. Plot this set on the number line.

ACTIVITIES

Directions: Match the given rational equations and inequalities to its corresponding
solution/s or solution set/s.

3𝑥+1
1. =5 a. (2,3)
3𝑥+5
4𝑥−3 17
2. = b. 5
4𝑥−2 18
𝑥+3 1 1
3. = = c. [-6,7)
𝑥+4 𝑥 𝑥+4
𝑥+1
4. >0 d. -2
𝑥+5
𝑥−3
5. <0 e. (-ꚙ,-5)U(-1, ꚙ)
𝑥−2
𝑥+6
6. ≤0 f. 1
𝑥−7
 WRAP-UP

What are the steps in solving rational equations and inequalities?

Steps to solve rational equations.

V. Find the least common denominator (LCD).

VI. Multiply each side of the equation by the LCD and simplify.
VII. Solve the resulting equation.
VIII. Check the solution(s) with the original equation.

Steps in solving rational inequality.

VI. Rewrite the inequality as a single rational expression on one side of the inequality
symbol and 0 on the other side.
VII. Find the critical numbers; these are the values of x which make the numerator and
the denominator equal to zero.
VIII. Partition the x-axis into intervals based on the critical numbers.
IX. Pick a test point in each interval, evaluate the numerator and the denominator, and
perform a sign analysis.
X. Write the solution set.

VALUING

Rational numbers are one of the interesting topics in mathematics today. It plays a
very important role in mathematics. It may twist our minds by solving problems that
may challenge our minds. If numerical fractions are studied in arithmetic and are
frequently used in everyday life, rational expressions must equally be studied because
of its usefulness in all fields to which algebra is applied.
 POSTTEST

Directions: Pick the letter of the correct answer in each of the following.
11 1
1. What is the solution of the rational equation = ?
𝑥 8
a. -88
b. -87
c. 88
d. -87
10
2. Find the solution to the equation: 𝑥 + = −7
𝑥
a. -2 and 5
b. 2 and 5
c. -2 and -5
d. 2 and -5
4 3
3. What value of x will satisfy: = ?
𝑥 𝑥−2
a. -8
b. 8
c. 11
d. -11
3 2
4. For what value of x will make = true?
𝑥+1 𝑥−3
a. 12
b. -12
c. -11
d. 11
𝑥+5
5. What is the solution set of < 0?
𝑥−4
a. [5,4]
b. [-5,4)
c. (-5,4]
d. (-5,4)
10−𝑥
6. What solution set satisfies the rational inequality −7 >0?
𝑥
5
a. [0, )
4
5
b. (0, )
4
5
c. (0, ]
4
5
d. [0, ]
4
𝑥+13
7. Which of these is the solution set of the rational inequality ≥0?
𝑥+16
a. (-ꚙ,-16)U[-13, ꚙ)
b. [-ꚙ,-16)U[-13, ꚙ)
c. (-ꚙ,-16)U[-13, ꚙ]
d. (-ꚙ,-16)U(-13, ꚙ)
 K EY TO CORRECTION

PRETEST ACTIVITY POST TEST

1. A 1. D 1. C
2. C 2. B 2. C
3. A 3. F 3. B
4. D 4. E 4. D
5. C 5. A 5. D
6. C 6. B
7. A

REFERENCES

Department of Education – Bureau of Learning Resources (DepEd-BLR) (2016)

General Mathematics Learner’s Material. Lexicon Press Inc., Philippines

Department of Education – Bureau of Learning Resources (DepEd-BLR) (2016)

Grade 8 Learner’s Module, Philippines

Jose-Dilao, et.al, Department of Education (2009) Intermediate Algebra Textbook for Second Year,
Philippines