Pre-Calculus 11

Chapter 6 – Rational Expressions

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Ch. 6 – Rational Expressions Notes

6.1 – RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS 2

Ch. 6. 1 HW: p. 317 # 1 – 6 odd letters, 8, 9, 20, 25. 3

6.1 – EXTRA PRACTICE 4

6.2 – MULTIPLYING AND DIVIDING RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS 6

Ch. 6.2 HW: p. 326 # 1 – 4 odd letters, 5 – 7 all, 8, 15, 16, 18 8

6.3 – ADDING AND SUBTRACTING RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS 9

Ch. 6.3 HW: p. 336 # 1 – 11 (odd letters), 12, 15, 18 11

6.4 – RATIONAL EQUATIONS 12

Ch. 6.4 HW: p. 349 # 1 – 13, 14 17

CH. 6 ‐ REVIEW 17

Ch. 6 Review HW: p. 352 All #s, odd letters, p. 355 # 1 – 9 19

Created by Ms. Lee 1 of 19

Reference: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Pre-Calculus 11
Pre-Calculus 11
Chapter 6 – Rational Expressions

6.1 – Rational Expressions

Definition:
Rational Expression is an algebraic fraction with a numerator and a denominator that are polynomials.

Non-Permissible Values: Given a rational expression, non-permissible values are all values of a
variable that make the denominator zero.

Examples: Determine Non-permissible values given a rational expression.

Rational Expressions Non-permissible Value(s)

2x  1
x

2
x5

3x
2x  3

3x
x(2 x  5)

x 1
( x  2)( x  3)

2 p 1
2
p  p  12

Created by Ms. Lee 2 of 19

Reference: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Pre-Calculus 11
Pre-Calculus 11
Chapter 6 – Rational Expressions

Examples: Simplify Rational Expressions and determine non-permissible values

Rational Expression Simplified Expression Non-permissible Values
3x  6
2 x 2  x  10

1 t
t 2 1

2 y 2  y  10
y 2  3 y  10

6  2m
m2  9

Examples: Rational Expression in two variables

16 x 2  9 y 2
Simplify .
8x  6 y

a) How can you express non-permissible values for x in terms of y?

b) How can you express non-permissible values for y in terms of x?

Ch. 6. 1 HW: p. 317 # 1 – 6 odd letters, 8, 9, 20, 25.

Created by Ms. Lee 3 of 19

Reference: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Pre-Calculus 11
Pre-Calculus 11
Chapter 6 – Rational Expressions

6.1 – Extra Practice

Created by Mr. Ko

Please use a separate sheet of paper for this worksheet. SHOW ALL WORK!

1) State weather each expression is a rational expression. If the expression is not rational, explain
why.
x a 8 x
a) b) c) d)
4 3 m x

x4 x x 4
e) f) x 2  x  6 g) h) 
2x 3 x 1
3

3 a 1 x y
i) j)
a  5b 3x

2) Evaluate each rational expression for x  2 and y  3 .

x2 3x  2 y x3  1 x2  2x  1
a) b) c) d)
3y  1 xy y 3 x2  1

3) For which value(s) of x is each expression not defined?

2 2x  1 x2 x2  1
a) b) c) d)
x 1 5 2x  7 x3  8
3x  4 6x  5 3 x 2  81
e) f) g) h)
x2  9 2x  x  4 x3 x3  8

4) Reduce to lowest terms.

36x 5x2 6a 2 c 9m 2 n
a) b) c) d)
4 y 15 x 8ab m5

5) Reduce to lowest terms.

a  9b x 5 16  4 a 7 x  14
a) b) c) d)
3a  27b 10  2 x 32  8a 5 x  10

6) Simplify each expression. Identify the nonpermissible value(s) of x.

2x2  6x 2 x 2  10 x 4 x 2  12 x 3x2  6 x
a) b) c) d)
5x 4 x  20 x3 14  7 x

Created by Ms. Lee 4 of 19

Reference: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Pre-Calculus 11
Pre-Calculus 11
Chapter 6 – Rational Expressions

7) Simplify.
cd 3xy 18 y 2 10 xy  15 x 2 y 60 a 2b 2  24 ab
a) b) c) d)
d c 12 y 2  2xy 6x2  4x 16 ab  40 a 2b 2

8) Simplify each expression, if possible. Identify any nonpermissible value(s) for each variable.
a 2  5a  14 x 3 r2  9 x4
a) b) c) d) 2
a  6a  8
2
x  3x  18
2
r  6r  9
2
x  16

9) Simplify.
9 a 2  16b 2 a 2  ab  6b 2 8t 2  32 c 2  5cd  24 d 2
a) b) c) d)
6 a 2  8ab a 2  2 ab 2t 2  12t  16 c 2  7 cd  12 d 2

e)
a 2  10 ab  24b 2
f)
x 2
 36  x 2  25
a 2  36b 2 x 2  x  30

10) Simplify.
32  2 a 2 2 x 3  28 x 2  102 x
a) b)
4 a 2  44 a  112 18 x  2 x 3

3a 2  33a  90 x4  y 4
 x2  y2  x2  5xy  4 y2 
c) d)
6 a 2  6 a  120

Answers
1) a) Not rational, b) Rational, c) Rational, d) Not rational, e) Rational, f) Rational, g) Not rational ,
h) Rational, i) Not rational, j) Rational
3 1
2) a) 0, b) –2, c)  , d) c
2 3
7
3) a) –1, b) Expression is defined for all values of x , c) , d) 2, e) 3 , f) 0, –4, g) 0
2
h) Expression is defined for all values of x
9 x x 3ac 9n 1 1 1 7
4) a) , b) , c) , d) 3 5) a) , b)  , c) , d)
y 3 4b m 3 2 2 5
2x  6
6) a) , all real values of x , nonpermissible value: x  0
5
x
b) , all real values of x , nonpermissible value: x  5
2
c) 4x , all real values of x , nonpermissible value: x  3
3x
d)  , all real values of x , nonpermissible value: x  2
7
3 5 y 3
7) a) –1, b) , c) , d)
2 2 2
a7 1 r 3 1
8) a) , a  4, 2 , b) , x  6, 3 , c) , r  3 , d) , x  4, 4
a4 x6 r 3 x4
3a  4b a  3b 4t  8 c  8d a  4b
9) a) , b) , c) , d) , e) , f)  x  6  x  5 
2a a t4 c  4d a  6b
a4 x  17 a6 x y
10) a) , b) , c) , d)
14  2a 3 x 2a  8 x  4y

Created by Ms. Lee 5 of 19

Reference: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Pre-Calculus 11
Pre-Calculus 11
Chapter 6 – Rational Expressions

6.2 – Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions

Recap:
Multiply. Write the answer in simplest form.
5 16
1) 
18 15

 14  18 
2)   
 6  21 

 4 x 2  y 2 
3)   
 3 xy  8 x 
  

 2x3  15 xy 3 
4)   
 5y2  x 2 y 
  

Divide. Write the answer in simplest form.

16 12
1) 
25 15

3 15
2) 
100 10

6 x 2 y 3x 2 y 2
3) 
4x 2y

3x 5 y 15 x
4) 
10 xy 20 x 2 y

Similarly:
Multiply. Write the answer in simplest form. Identify all non-permissible values.
d 2rh
1) 
2r d  2

 x  3   2x  6 
2)   
 3  x   3x  9 

Created by Ms. Lee 6 of 19

Reference: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Pre-Calculus 11
Pre-Calculus 11
Chapter 6 – Rational Expressions

 y 2  9  r 2  r 
3)   
 r 3  r  y  3 
  

x 1 x2
4) 
x 2  5x  6 x 2  5x  4

Divide. Write the answer in simplest form. State the non-permissible values.
 2x  4 
1)    x  2
 8 

x3 x
2) 
x  3 4 x  12

x  7 x 2  2 x  15
3) 
x  4 x 2  x  20

Created by Ms. Lee 7 of 19

Reference: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Pre-Calculus 11
Pre-Calculus 11
Chapter 6 – Rational Expressions

8y2  2y  3 2 y2  3y  2 3  4 y
4)  
y2 1 2y  2 y 1

Apply:
A sphere is contained in a rectangular box such that the sides of the sphere are touching the sides of the
box. What fraction of the volume of the box does the sphere occupy? Model the situation using a
quotient of rational expression (in simplest form). Then write this value as a percent.
4r 3
Note: Vcube  length 3 Vsphere 
3

Ch. 6.2 HW: p. 326 # 1 – 4 odd letters, 5 – 7 all, 8, 15, 16, 18

Created by Ms. Lee 8 of 19

Reference: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Pre-Calculus 11
Pre-Calculus 11
Chapter 6 – Rational Expressions

6.3 – Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions

Recap: Reduce first if possible, get a common denominator and add/subtract.
Add. Write the answer in simplest/reduced form.
2
1) 2
3

3 1
2)  
4 3

2 4
3) 
3 5

Subtract. Write the answer in simplest/reduced form.

2 3
1) 
5 15

5 2
2)  
2 3

3 3
3) 
4 16

3
4) 3
7

Similarly:
Add/Subtract. Write the answer in simplest form. Identify all non-permissible values.

1 3
1) 
x 2

1 2
2)  
2a 3a 2

3y 3
3)  1
2 xy
2 xy

Created by Ms. Lee 9 of 19

Reference: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Pre-Calculus 11
Pre-Calculus 11
Chapter 6 – Rational Expressions

Add/Subtract. Write the answer in simplest form. Identify all non-permissible values.

m m 1
1) 
n n

10  1 8  2m
2) 
4m  3 4m  3

5x 2  x 3  6x 4x 2  6x  5
3)  
( x  3)( x  1) ( x  3)( x  1) ( x  3)( x  1)

Add/Subtract. Write the answer in simplest form. Identify all non-permissible values.
4 3
5) 
p 1 p 1
2

x 1 x2
6) 
x2  x  6 x 2  4x  3

Created by Ms. Lee 10 of 19

Reference: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Pre-Calculus 11
Pre-Calculus 11
Chapter 6 – Rational Expressions

4
2
y
7)
4
y
y

1 1

8) x4 x4
x 1

x  16 x  4
2

Ch. 6.3 HW: p. 336 # 1 – 11 (odd letters), 12, 15, 18

Created by Ms. Lee 11 of 19

Reference: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Pre-Calculus 11
Pre-Calculus 11
Chapter 6 – Rational Expressions

6.4 – Rational Equations

Definition:
Rational Equation: An equation containing at least one rational expression.

Example: Solve each rational equation. State any non-permissible values.

x 7
1)  3
4 x

2 10 1
2)  
2
x 4 6 x  12 x  2

Created by Ms. Lee 12 of 19

Reference: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Pre-Calculus 11
Pre-Calculus 11
Chapter 6 – Rational Expressions

9 4 18
3)  
y  3 y  6 y  9 y  18
2

3x 5  25
4)  
x  2 x  3 x2  x  6

Created by Ms. Lee 13 of 19

Reference: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Pre-Calculus 11
Pre-Calculus 11
Chapter 6 – Rational Expressions

4k  1 k  1 k 2  4k  24
5)  
k 2 k 2 k2 4

6) Two friends share a paper route. Sheena can deliver the papers in 40 min. Jeff can cover the same
route in 50 min. How long, to the nearest minute, does the paper route take if they work together?
Fraction of papers delivered by Sheena in Fraction of papers delivered by Jeff in
1 minute: 1 minute:

2 minutes: 2 minute:

3 minutes: 3 minutes:

… …
x minutes: x minutes:

Created by Ms. Lee 14 of 19

Reference: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Pre-Calculus 11
Pre-Calculus 11
Chapter 6 – Rational Expressions

7) Stella takes 4 h to paint a room. It takes Jose 3 h to paint the same area. How long will the paint
job take if they work together?

8) Kyra mows a lawn in 40 min. When Mark and Kyra work together, they can mow the lawn in 24
min. How long would it take Mark to mow the lawn on his own?

Created by Ms. Lee 15 of 19

Reference: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Pre-Calculus 11
Pre-Calculus 11
Chapter 6 – Rational Expressions

9) Given two consecutive numbers, 5 is added to the first number (smaller #) and two is subtracted
from the second number (bigger #). The quotient of the new numbers (first divided by second) is
7
. Determine the numbers algebraically.
4

10)

Created by Ms. Lee 16 of 19

Reference: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Pre-Calculus 11
Pre-Calculus 11
Chapter 6 – Rational Expressions

A boat travels 4 km upstream in the same time that it takes the boat to travel 12 km downstream.
The average speed of the current is 3km/h. What is the average speed of the boat in still water?
Let speed of the boat in still water = s
What would be the speed of the boat going uphill if the current, with the speed of 3 km/h, is against
the boat’s direction?
What would be the speed of the boat going downhill if the current, with the speed of 3km/h is in
the same direction as the boat?

Ch. 6.4 HW: p. 349 # 1 – 13, 14

Ch. 6 - Review
1. Simplify the rational expression:

3x 2 y 3

 2x 2 y 3 
2

6x3 y 3x 2 y 3

Created by Ms. Lee 17 of 19

Reference: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Pre-Calculus 11
Pre-Calculus 11
Chapter 6 – Rational Expressions

2. Simplify. Identify any non-permissible values.

x 2  3x  2 x3 1
 
2
x 4 2
x  3x x2

3. Simplify. Identify any non-permissible values.

2x x 1
 
4 x 2  9 2 x 2  5x  3 2 x  3

Created by Ms. Lee 18 of 19

Reference: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Pre-Calculus 11
Pre-Calculus 11
Chapter 6 – Rational Expressions

4. Solve. Identify all non-permissible values.

5 x3
2 
x  x6 x2
2

5. True or False
x( x  2)( x  1)
a) ________  x
( x  1)(2  x)

x( x  2)( x  1)
b) ________  x , x  1, 2
( x  1)(2  x)

Ch. 6 Review HW: p. 352 All #s, odd letters, p. 355 # 1 – 9

Created by Ms. Lee 19 of 19

Reference: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Pre-Calculus 11