Unit 2

Rational Expressions
Lesson 1
Rational Expression and Its
Domain
 Objectives

 Accurately classify whether an expression is a

rational algebraic expression;

 Correctly determine the restricted values of a rational

algebraic expression; and

 Correctly determine the domain of a given rational

algebraic expression.
 Learn about it!

Rational algebraic expression

A type of algebraic expression that can be written in the form of a
fraction whose numerator and denominator are polynomials.

𝑥 −3 Numerator
2
𝑥 +2 Denominator
 Domain of Rational Expression
Domain
A the set of all allowable values of

Since a rational expression is essentially a fraction, its

denominator cannot be equal to 0.

Recall that a fraction with a zero denominator is

undefined.
 As a function, the domain of any rational algebraic
expression is always the set of real numbers except the
restricted values of 𝑥.

Restricted values

Are the values of the variable that make the denominator

of a rational algebraic expression equal to zero.
 Examples of Rational Expression

𝑎+ 3 𝑥 −3
𝑎 +2 2
𝑥 +3 𝑥 − 1
√𝑥 2
√4
𝑎+ 1 𝑎− 2
 Is the expression a rational algebraic expression?

This is not a rational expression because of the radical term, , in

the numerator. Radical expressions, like the square root of a variable,
are not allowed in the numerator or denominator because by
definition, a rational expression must be the ratio of two polynomials.
√𝑥 is not a polynomial.

Thus, is not a rational algebraic

expression.
 Let’s Practice
Example 1:

Given the expression, find the value(s) of for which it is

undefined.
Solution:

Step 1:
Equate the denominator to 0.

𝑥 −2=0
 Step 2:
Solve for the value of
x. 𝑥 −2=0
𝑥 =2
Thus, the value of 𝑥, for which the rational expression is undefined, is 2.
Therefore, the restricted value of 𝑥 is 2.
 Example 2:
Find the value of that makes the rational expression

Solution:

Step 1:
Equate the denominator to 0.

3 𝑥+2=0
 Step 2: Solve for the value of
x. 3 𝑥+ 2=0
3 𝑥=− 2
3𝑥 2
=−
3 3
2
𝑥 =−
3
2
Thus, the value of 𝑥, for which the rational expression is undefined, is− .
3
2
Therefore , the restricted value of 𝑥 is − .
3
 Example 3:
What is the domain of

Solution:

Step 1:
Equate the denominator to 0.

2
𝑥 +7 x+ 12=0
Step 2: Factor the polynomial if
2
possible.
𝑥 +7 x+ 12= 0
Step 3:
(𝑥+ 3)(𝑥+ 4 )=0
Equate each factor to 0 and solve for the value
of 𝑥 ( 𝑥+ 3 ) =0 ( 𝑥+ 4 )= 0
𝑥=− 3 𝑥=− 4
Thus, the value of 𝑥 for which the rational expression is
undefined are and .

Therefore, the domain of is

 Example 4:
What is the domain of

Solution:

Step 1:
Equate the denominator to 0.

2
𝑥 −3 𝑥 − 28=0
Step 2: Factor the polynomial if
2
possible.
𝑥 −3 𝑥 − 28=0
Step 3:
(𝑥 −7 )(𝑥+4)=0
Equate each factor to 0 and solve for the value
of 𝑥 ( 𝑥 −7 )=0 ( 𝑥+ 4 )= 0
𝑥 =7 𝑥=− 4
Thus, the value of 𝑥 for which the rational expression is
undefined are and .

Therefore, the domain of is

 Exercises
On your paper, write YES if the expression is a rational
algebraic expression; otherwise, write NO.

1. 4.

2. 5.

3.
 Exercises
Determine the restricted values of in the following
rational algebraic expressions.

1. 3.

2.
 Exercises
Determine the domain of the following rational algebraic
expressions.

1. 3.

2.
Thank You
&
God Bless