Solving Rational Equations and Word Problems

Week No: 7

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STRAND: _____________________________________________________________

SECTION: _____________________________________________________________

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DATE SUBMITTED: __________________ RECEIVED BY: __________________

 HOW TO USE THE MODULE?

As you start studying the module, I want you to set aside other task/s that may disturb you while enjoying the lessons.
Read the instructions below to successfully enjoy the objectives of this kit. Have fun!

1. Follow carefully all the contents and instructions indicated in every page of the module.
2. Don’t forget to answer Pre-test before moving on to the other activities included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your answers.
5. Analyze conceptually the post-test and apply what you have learned.
6. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
7. Enjoy studying!
8. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.

If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or
facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are not alone.
We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning and gain deep understanding of the
relevant competencies. You can do it!

A rational equation is an equation indicating that two expressions, with at least one term written as a fraction,
are equal. When you solve rational equations, be sure to chech your answers. Remember, values of the variable that
make any denominator equal to zero are excluded.

Most Essential Learning Competency

This module aims to assist the learners to be able to accurately formulate and solve real-life problems involving
rational functions. M11GM-Ic-2

Expectations

This module aims to assist the learner to be able to:

1. Solve rational equations.
2.Solve word problems involving rational equations and solve word problems involves rational equations.

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 LE SSON 1 SOLVING RATIONAL EQUATION

A rational equation is an equation indicating that two expressions, with at least one term written as a fraction, are equal.
To simplify rational equations, apply the CRAM method:

C – Clear all fractions by multiplying both sides of the equation by the LCD of the terms.
R – Remove all the grouping symbols, if there is any.
A - Add or subtract similar terms.
M – Multiply or divide both sides by the numerical coefficient of the variable, leaving only the variable on the left
side of the equation with coefficient equal to 1. Then, check the result.

A rational equation is an equation that contains rational expressions. When each side of the equation is a single rational
expression, you can cross multiply to solve.
� �
If �=� , then ad=bc
2 6
For example, 3=9, so 2•9=3•6=18

EXAMPLE 1. Solve an Equation by Cross Multiplying

4 3
Solve: =
�+1 �

Solution

4 3
=
�+1 �
Write the original equation

4x=3(x+1) Cross Multiply

4x=3x+3 Use distributive property

x=3 Subtract 3x from each side

 ANSWER The solution is 3

CHECK Substitute 3 for x into the original equation

4 3
=
�+1 �
Write the original equation

4 3
=
3+1 3
Substitute 3 for x

1=1 Simplify. Solution checks.

Multiply by the LCD. Another method for solving a rational equation is to multiply each term on each side of the
equation by the least common denominator (LCD) of the terms. This method works for any rational equation.

EXAMPLE 2. Multiply by the LCD

2 3 5
Solve + =
� 2 �

Solution

The least common denominator is 2x.

2 3 5
�
+2=�

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 2 3 5
2x• �
+ 2x• 2 = � •2x

4 +3x =10
3x = 6
X =2

 ANSWER The solution is 2.

2 3 5
CHECK 2
+2= 2

EXAMPLE 3. Multiply by the LCD

5 1 5
Solve �+2
+ �
= �

Solution:

The least common denominator is x(x+2)

5 1 5
�+2
+ �
= �

5 1 5
x(x+2) • �+2
+ x(x+2) • � = x(x+2) • �

5x + x+2 = 5(x+2)

6x+2 = 5x+10

6x-5x = 10-2

X=8

ANSWER The solution is 8.

EXAMPLE 4. Solve an Equation with an Extraneous Solution

An extraneous solution is an apparent solution that does not solve the equation. Because
zeros appear in the denominators, the fractions are undefined.
2 2�
Solve 8 + �−1 = �−1

The least common denominator is (x-1)

2 2�
8 + �−1 = �−1 Write the original equation

2 2�
8 • (x-1) + �−1 • (x − 1) = �−1 • (x-1) Multiply by the LCD (x-1)

8(x-1) +2 = 2x Simplify

8x-8 + 2 =2x Use distributive property

8x-6 = 2x Simplify

8x -2x = 6

6x = 6 Combine like terms

X=1 Divide each side by 6

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ANSWER. The solution is 1 is extraneous because it leads to division by zero (0) in the original equation. So, the original
equation has no solution.
2 2(1)
8 + 1−1 = 1−1

EXAMPLE 5. Solve an equation with Two Solutions

2 3
Solve �−1
+�=2

Solution

The LCD is x(x-1)

2 3
+ =
�−1 �
2

2 3
�−1
•�(� − 1) + � •�(� − 1) = 2 • x(x-1)

2x + 3 (x – 1) = 2x (x – 1)

2x + 3x -3 = 2x2 -2x

5x – 3 = 2x2 -2x

0 = 2x2-7x +3

0 = (2x-1) (x – 3)

0 = 2x – 1 and

0=x–3
1
1 = 2x or x = 2

3= x or x = 3
1
ANSWER. The solutions are 2 and 3

PROBLEMS INVOLVING RATIONAL EQUATION

1 1 1
1. Photography. The focal length f of a thin camera lens is given by � = � + � , where p is the distance between an object
being photographed and the lens and q is the distance between the lens and the film. Find the focal length when p = 12
centimeters and q = 4 centimeters.

* FOCAL LENGTH. The focal length of the camera lens is the distance between the lens and the point where the light
rays converge after passing through the lens.

Solution
1 1 1
= +
� 12 4
Substitute 12 for p and 4 for q in the original equation

1 1 1
�
•12� = 12 •12� + 4 • 12f Multiply each term by LCD 12f

12 = f + 3f Simplify

12 = 4f Combine like terms

3= f Divide each side by 4

ANSWER. The focal length is 3 cm.

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2. Park Maintenance. You and a friend are cleaning a park. You can clean the park in 2 hours working alone. Your friend
can clean the park in 3 hours working alone. How long it will take you and your friend to clean the park working together.

Let x be the number of time working together.

1 1 1
The equation will be +
���� ���� ���� ������' �����
= �������� ����

1 1 1
+ = ,
2 3 �
LCD is 6x

1 1 1
6x • 2 + 3 • 6x= � • 6x

3x + 2x = 6

5x = 6
6 1
X = 5 or 1 5

� �
ANSWER. � or 1 � hours, if they work together cleaning the park.

3. Alone, you can shovel your driveway in 3 hours. Your friend Amy can shovel the driveway in 2 hours. How long will it
take you and Amy to shovel your driveway, working together?

Solution:
Part you do Time you spend Part Amy does Time Amy Spends
+ in shoveling + + =1
shoveling
in 1 hour in 1 hour

Part you do + Part Amy does = whole job

1
Part of the job you can do in 1 hour=3

Time you spend in shoveling =t

1
Part of the job Amy can do in 1 hour=2

Time Amy spends shoveling=t

1 1
3
t +2t=1

� �
+ =1
3 2
Multiply each term by the LCD 6

2t+3t=6

5t=6
6 1
T= 5 or 15

1
Answer: The time that it will take you and Amy to shovel the driveway is 15 hours, or 1 hour and 12 minutes.

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 General Mathematics
Week 7 (Solving Rational Equation)
ACTIVITY SHEET

NAME: _____________________________________________________________________
__
STRAND: _____________________________________________________________________
__
GRADE & _____________________________________________________________________
SECTION: __
SUBJECT _____________________________________________________________________
TEACHER: __
DATE __________________
SUBMITTED
:

PRE-TEST

Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. Which of the following is a rational equation?
3 1 log � �+5
A.
�−2 3
= B. log 2�=8 C. 3x-1 =9 D. �−3 > 7

2�−3 �+6
2. What is the least common denominator of the equation �+1
=�−2?

A. (x+1) B. (x-2) C. (x+1)(x-2) D. 2x-3

3. Which of the following is an example of rational function?

5� 5�−2 � 5�
A. �−1=3 B. f(x)= 2
C. �−1 > 2 D. �−3 <− 4

4 3
4. Solve for x: �+1 �
=.

A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4
�+3 �−5
5. Which of the following can satisfy the equation �_−4=�+4?
1 1 1 1
A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 5

Looking Back

A rational
Functions f andequation is an
g are inverse equation
functions if: indicating that two expressions, with at least
one term written as a fraction, are equal.
f(g(x))=x and g(f(x))=x
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 ACTIVITY
ACTIVITY

A. Solve the following equation by Cross Multiply.

� 12
1. 3 = 18

� 6
2. 4 = 7

� 7
3. 9 = 15

3 1
4. �+2 = 5

5 2
5. �−1 = �

B. Solve the equation using Least Common Denominator.

4 1
1. � - 3 = 1

5 1 5
2. �+2 + � = �

�−1 � −4
3. �+3 + �−4 = �+3

C. Solve the following problem involving rational equation.

1. Work Problem . Arthur can weed a garden in 3 hours while his sister Jane can do the same work in
5 hours. How long it will take them to finish the work if they work together? ( 2 points)

2. You have made your first 5 free throws in a basketball game and missed all the rest till the end of
the game. You want to have a a better than a 75% free throw shooting percentage for the game,
using the rational equation, if you shot 8 free throws in a game , would you meet your goal ? (x
represents how many free throws you missed. )

POST TEST

A. True or False. Write T if the statement is true and F .if the statement is false.

____________1. When each side of the equation is a single rational expression, we can use cross
multiply to solve.

____________2. Values of the variable that make any denominator equal to 0 are excluded.
�−1 � −4
____________3. In rational equation �+3
+
�−4
= �+3, we can apply cross multiply to solve this.

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____________4. If substituting a solution into the original equation results in division by 0, the
solution is extraneous and must be rejected.
2 1 3
___________ 5. The equation 3 + � = � has an LCD of 3x2.

B. Read and understand each question. Solve the following and choose the letter of the correct
answer.
2 �
1. Solve �−1 = �+2.

A. 4 B. -1 C. 4, -1 D. No solution

2. It is an apparent solution that does not solve its equation.

A. Extraneous solution

B. Domain

C. Cross Multiplication

D. Least Common Denominator

� 1 �
3. What is the solution of the equation 5 + 4 = 2

5 1
A. 6 B. -6 C. -5 D. -6

2 3 1
4. Solve for x for the equation � + 4� = 2.

2 11
A. 11 B. 2 C.11 D. 2

5. When solving rational expressions, we ________________ each side of the equation by the least
common denominator (LCD) of the rational expressions.

A. add B. subtract C. multiply D. divide

6. Which of the following is a rational equation?

3 1 log � �+5
A. =
�−2 3
B. log 2�=8 C. 3x-1 =9 D. �−3 > 7

2�−3 �+6
7. What is the least common denominator of the equation �+1
=�−2?

A. (x+1) B. (x-2) C. (x+1)(x-2) D. 2x-3

8. Which of the following is an example of rational function?

5� 5�−2 � 5�
A. �−1=3 B. f(x)= 2
C. �−1 > 2 D. �−3 <− 4

4 3
9. Solve for x: =.
�+1 �

A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4
�+3 �−5
10. Which of the following can satisfy the equation �_−4=�+4?
1 1 1 1
A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 5

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