Mathematics

Quarter 2 - Module 3
Rational Algebraic Expressions
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 Table of Contents

What This Module is

About ...............................................................................i
What I Need to
Know ........................................................................................i
How to Learn from this
Module .........................................................................i
Icons of this
Module .........................................................................................ii What I
Know ....................................................................................................iii

Lesson 1:
Rational Algebraic Expression …………….…......................1

What I Need to Know ............................................................................1

What’s New: Where do I Belong? …………………. ..............................2
What Is It: ……………………………......................................................3
What’s More: ……………………………................................................4
What I Have Learned: Generalization ..................................................5
What I Can Do: Write My Number.........................................................6

Lesson 2:
Simplification of Rational Algebraic Expression................7

What’s In : Match Me ............................................................................7

What is It: …………..………………………………………………………..8
What’s More : How Simple I am ……………………….........................10
What I Have Learned: Generalization .................................................10
What I Can Do: Low, Low, Low! …………….......................................11

Summary .......................................................................................
.................12
Glossary of
Terms………………………………………………………………….13
Assessment: (Post-
Test) ................................................................................14
Key to
Answers...............................................................................................15
 References ...................................................................................
..................17
What This Module is About

In the world of Mathematics, you have encountered all kinds of expressions.

Mathematical expressions such as the polynomials are what you learned from your last two
modules. You were able to factor those expressions using different techniques.
In this module, you will learn rational algebraic expressions. You will translate verbal
expressions to mathematical expressions.

What I Need to Know

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

● Illustrate Rational Algebraic Expression (M8AL- Ic-1);
● Rewrite negative integral exponents into positive exponents; and
● Simplify Rational Algebraic Expression (M8AL- Ic-2).

How to Learn from this Module

To achieve the objectives cited above, you are to do the following:
1. Carefully read all the lessons.
2. Take your time on going thru each lesson.
3. Answer the pretest honestly, the purpose of the pretest is for you to determine your
prior knowledge before going thru the lessons and activities.
4. If you have a hard time understanding the lessons and activities, please do take a
break. Having breaks between lessons and activities will give you some space where
you can absorb the lesson well.
5. You can use the internet if you need more information about the lesson.

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Icons of this Module
What I Need to This part contains learning objectives
Know that are set for you to learn as you go
along the module.

What I know This is an assessment as to your level

of knowledge to the subject matter at
hand, meant specifically to gauge prior
related knowledge
What’s In This part connects previous lesson with
that of the current one.

What’s New An introduction of the new lesson

through various activities, before it will
be presented to you

What is It These are discussions of the activities

as a way to deepen your discovery and
understanding of the concept.

What’s More These are follow-up activities that are

intended for you to practice further in
order to master the competencies.

What I Have Activities designed to process what you

Learned have learned from the lesson

What I can do These are tasks that are designed to

showcase your skills and knowledge
gained, and applied into real-life
concerns and situations.

What I Know
Multiple

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I. Multiple Choice:

Directions: Read and answer the questions below. Write the letter of the correct answer.
1. Which of the following expressions has a zero denominator??
4
x −2 x p
A. m C. m−m
2
4y x −2 x+4 x
B. 30 D. x+2
2. What is the value of any real number raised to 0?
A. 0 C. 2
B. 1 D. 3
3. What value of the denominator makes the expression undefined?
A. 0 C. 2
B. 1 D. 3
4 a+8 b
4. What is the simplest form of 12 ?
a−2 b a+2 b
A. 3 C. −3
a+2 b −a+2 b
B. 3 D. 3
5. What is the mathematical expression for five times a number b decreased by 4?
A. 5b+ 4 C. (5b)4
B. 5b4 D. 5b-4

II. True or False

Directions: Write “True” if the statement is true and write “False” if the statement
is false.

a+2 b
1. a is a rational algebraic expression.
_____________
0
a2
2.
( )
b3 is equal to 1
______________
P
3. Q is a rational expression if P≠1, Q=0 _____________
2
a −16
4. (a+4) is the simplified form of a−4 . ______________
1
9
5. g
−9
is equal to g . ______________

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Lesson

1
Lesson
Rational Algebraic
Expressions:

What I Need to Know

Rational Algebraic Expressions

A rational algebraic expression is a ratio of two polynomials provided that the

P
denominator is not equal to zero. In symbols: Q , where P and Q are polynomials and
Q≠0 . ( Grade 8, Mathematics Learners’ Module).

Definition of Terms

Algebra- the part of mathematics in which letters and other general symbols are
used to represent numbers and quantities in formulae and equations.
Denominator- the part of a fraction that is the divisor of the ratio. It is found below the
line.
Expression- An expression is a sentence with a minimum of two numbers and at
least one math operation. This math operation can be addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and division. 
Numerator- the part of a fraction that is above the line ad signifies the number to be
divided by the denominator.
Ratio- the quantitative relation between two amounts showing the number of
times one value contains or is contained within the other.
Rational Expression – a ratio of two polynomials.
Polynomials

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 What’s New

Activity 1: Where Do I Belong?

Description: This activity will help you classify expressions into rational
algebraic expressions or not rational algebraic expressions
based from the given definition.
Direction: From the given expressions, write in column A, the rational
algebraic expressions and in column B, the non-rational
algebraic expressions.

Rational Algebraic Not Rational

Expressions Algebraic
Expressions

x 5k c n−2
+7
● 2 2( 0) 5+7(c) n
1−m
m−1

6
x x 2 −9 b x +6
● p− p x 2−0 0
x 4 −2 x +4
x

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 What Is It

In activity 1, you have classified rational algebraic expressions and not rational
algebraic expressions. You learned that if the ratio of two polynomials which the
denominator is not equal to zero is an algebraic expression.

Let’s take some examples from the activity.

x
+7
1. 2

Notice that neither of the denominators of the expression is zero. The sum of the
expression will not also equate to zero. Therefore, it is a rational algebraic
expression.

x +6
2. 0
It is very visible that the denominator of the ration is zero, thus it is not a rational
algebraic expression.

6
x
3. p− p
Though there is no zero quantity seen on the denominator of the expression, but
this is not a rational algebraic expression. Why? Because p− p = 0.

4. x 2−16
Do you remember what factoring method can factor this expression?
Difference of two squares.
What is the denominator? Is it 0? No. the denominator is not 0.
x 2 −16
The denominator of our expression is 1. This would look like 1 .
b
5. 2−0
You can see zero in the denominator, but this expression is a rational algebraic
expression.

Why?

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 b
2−0=2 thus, the simplified form of this is 2 .

Why is it that if the denominator is equal to zero, the expression is not rational
algebraic expression? Because the denominator zero will make the expression undefined or
meaningless.

Like in real life, you work so hard to be at the top of your class, or to have
a perfect attendance to get a medal but your parents or teachers still don’t
recognize it. You feel worthless. Your effort is meaningless. The denominator of
your hard work is zero appreciation. And your goals became undefined! But know
this, your labor is not wasted. Your gain might not be seen but it’s like a seed, it
will grow and bear fruits at the right time.

What’s More

In the activities above, you had encountered rational algebraic expressions.

This next activity, you will define the meaning of algebraic expressions with integral
exponents including negative and zero exponents.

Recall the Laws of Exponents

Product of Powers- For any real number x, and any positive

integers a and b:

Power of a Power - For any real number x, and any positive

integers a and b:

Power of a Product - For any real number x, and any positive

integers a:

Power of a Quotient - For all integers a and b, and any

nonzero number x.
Case 1: where a is greater than b
Case 2: where a is less than b

Zero Exponent: any real number x 4raised to zero is equal to 1:

 (Grade 8 Mathematics Learners’ Module)

Examples:
1
1. d−6
= d6 3. 12 m0 = 12(1) or 12
2 0
n a2 b 4 d 5
2.
( )
184
=
1 4. a2 b 4 c−8 d 5 = c8

Activity 2: Rewrite each item to expressions with positive exponents on the space
provided.

−6
1. m ________

d−7
2. e−8 _________ .

3. a−3 b−2 __________

2 −2
4. gh o __________

−5 5
5. jk l __________

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 What I Have Learned

Activity 3: Generalization
Direction: Answer the questions and write your answers on the space provided.
1. What makes a polynomial a non-rational algebraic expression?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
2. Define rational algebraic expression.
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
3. Differentiate expression to rational expression.
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
4. Describe the process in rewriting negative exponents into positive exponents.
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
5. Illustrate rational algebraic expression.
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

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 What I Can do

Activity 4: Write my Number!

Direction: Look for the mathematical expression in the figures that corresponds to
each verbal phrase. Write your answers on the space provided.

2
+v
1. A number v added to the ratio of two and five 5

7
 2. The cube root of g. ______________

3. The square of u and the ratio of v and 7

_______________

4. The product of z and five less than the square of z _______________

5. The product of m and n divided by eight. _______________

6. The ratio of c and 4 less the square of d. ________________

mn v
3 u2 +
√g 8 5 z−z 2
7

2 c 2
+v 2 −d
5 z <5 z mn+ 8 4

c 2
d 2− −v
4 5

This activity will help you translate verbal phrases to mathematical phrases
which is important in solving problems such rate related problems which can be
modelled using rational algebraic expression.
Lesson

2
Lesson
Simplification of Rational
Algebraic Expressions

What’s In

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 You have learned in lesson 1 the definition of rational algebraic expression and how
to illustrate rational algebraic expressions. You have also encountered zero and negative
exponents. You learned to rewrite negative exponents into positive exponents. In this new
lesson, you will encounter expressions that must be simplified. Your task is to simplify those
expressions to its lowest terms.

What’s New

Activity 1: Match Me

Direction: Match the fractions in column A to its equivalent in column B , by

connecting the dots.
maam pls write the rational numbers in the two columns.

A B

The equivalents in
column B are the
simplified form of
the fractions in
Column A.

What Is It

In activity 1, you assessed yourself in simplifying simple fractions. This skill will help
you to simplify algebraic expressions that you will encounter on the next activities.

Simplifying Rational Algebraic Expressions

A rational algebraic expression is in its simplified form or lowest terms if its numerator
and denominator have no common factor except +1 and -1.
To simplify a rational expression, observe the following steps illustrated below.
1. Factor the numerator and the denominator;
2. Divide or cancel out common factors in the numerator and denominator.

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Examples:
16 v 2 −49
1. 24 3. 2 v−14
14 x
2
x 2 + x −42
2. 28 x 4. x 2 −36
Solutions:
16 8⋅2
1. 24 = 8⋅3 Factoring by Common Monomial
Factor
2
1⋅
= 3 Dividing common factors ( 8÷8=1)
2
= 3 Simplified Form

14 x 2 14⋅x⋅x
2. 28 x = 14⋅2⋅x Factoring by Common Monomial Factor

x
1⋅
= 2 Dividing common factors
( 14x÷14x=1)
x
= 3 Lowest Term

v 2 −49 (v+7 )(v−7)

3. 2 v−14 = 2(v−7 ) Factoring by Difference of Two
Squares
Factoring by Common Monomial Factor
(v +7 ) (v−7)
= 2 ¿ (v−7) Grouping Common Factors

(v +7 ) (v−7) (v−7)
= 2 ¿ (v−7) Cancelling common factors (v−7)
(v +7 )
= 2 Simplified Form

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 x 2 + x −42 ( x+7 )( x−6 )
4. x 2 −36 = ( x+6)( x−6 ) Factoring General Trinomials
Factoring by Difference of Two Squares

( x+7 )( x−6 )
= ( x+6)( x−6 ) Cancellation Method
( x+7 )
= ( x+6) Simplified Form

What’s More

Activity 2: How simple I am!

Direction: Write the simplest form of the given rational algebraic expressions.

Rational Algebraic Simplified

Expression Expression
a2 +6 a+5
1. a+1
2 a 2−a
2. a
18 ab
3. 6b

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 What I Have Learned
A
Activity 3: Generalization

Directions: Answer the following questions below.

1. How are rational algebraic expressions being simplified? What methods are being
applied?
2. Is it important to identify factoring techniques that must be used to simplify rational
algebraic expressions? Why?
3. Does cancellation method and dividing common factors yields the same answer?

What I Can do

Activity 4: Low , Low, Low!

Directions: Reduce the following rational algebraic expressions to its

lowest terms.
Hints:
2
x + x −20
1. x +5 Factor by general trinomial
−20 a2 b2
2. 8 a3 b3 Common monomial factor
x 2−9
3. x 2−7x+12 Difference of Two Squares
x 2 −9
4. x 2 −3 x Difference of Two Squares & CMF
2uv
5. 4uvw Common monomial factor

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Summary
Now that you have completed two lessons, lets us summarize what you have
learned:
1. A rational algebraic expression is a ratio of two polynomials provided that the
P
denominator is not equal to zero. In symbols: Q , where P and Q are polynomials
and Q≠0 .
2. Rate related problems can be modeled using rational algebraic expressions.
3. Any expression not equal to zero raised to a zero exponent is always equal to 1.
4. When an expression is raised to a negative integral exponent, it is the same as the
multiplicative inverse of the expression.
5. A rational algebraic expression is said to be in its lowest terms if its numerator and
denominator have no common factor except +1 and -1.
To reduce a rational expression into its lowest terms, observe the following steps
shown below.
- Factor the numerator and the denominator;
- Divide or cancel out common factors in the numerator and denominator.

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Glossary of Terms

Algebra- the part of mathematics in which letters and other general symbols are
used to represent numbers and quantities in formulae and equations.
Denominator- the part of a fraction that is the divisor of the ratio. It is found below the
line.
Expression- An expression is a sentence with a minimum of two numbers and at
least one math operation. This math operation can be addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and division. 
Numerator- the part of a fraction that is above the line ad signifies the number to be
divided by the denominator.
Rate Related Problems- problems involving rates.
Ratio- the quantitative relation between two amounts showing the number of
times one value contains or is contained within the other.
Rational algebraic expression is a ratio of two polynomials provided that the
P
denominator is not equal to zero. In symbols: Q ,
where P and Q are polynomials and Q≠0 .
Rational Expression – a ratio of two polynomials.
POLYNOMIAL

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 Assessment: (Post-Test)

I. Multiple Choice:
Directions: Read and answer the questions below. Write the letter of the correct answer.
1. Which of the following expressions equates the denominator to 0?
x 4 −2 x p
A. m C. m−m
4y x 2 −2 x+4 x
B. 30 D. x+2
2. Expressed in mathematical expression “a number m raised to the 2nd power.
A. m1 C. m-2
B. m2 D. 2m
3. What value of the denominator makes the expression undefined?
A. 0 C. 2
B. 1 D. 3
24 a+8 b
4. What is the simplest form of 12 ?
A. 2 a−8 b C. 2 a+8 b
B. a+8 b D. 2 a+b
2 x−10
5. What is the simplified form of x−5 ?
A. 1 C. 3
B. 2 D. 4

II. True or False

Directions: Write “True” if the statement is true and write “False” if the
statement is false.

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 1
9
1. g−9 is equal to g .
_______________
√3 y
2. y is read as the cube root three over y.
_______________.
x+ y
0
3. ( x− y ) is equal to x+y.
________________
4. 5 h+9 is read as five times a number h increased by nine.
____________
2x 8x
5. 3y is the simplified expression of 12xy .
______________

Key to Answers

Pre-Test
I. Multiple Choice II. True or False
1. C 1. True
2. B 2. True
3. A 3. False
4. B 4. True
5. B 5. True
Post Test
I. Multiple Choice
1. C
2. B
3. A
4. C
5. B
II. True or false

1. TRUE
2. False
3. True

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 4. True
5. False

Lesson I
Activity 1 Where do I belong
Rational Algebraic Expressions Not Rational Algebraic Expressions

2 5k
x x −9
+7
● 2 x 2( 0)
6
x
p− p
c b
● 5+7 c 2−0
n−2 x 4 −2 x +4 x +6
● n x 0
1−m
● m−1

Activity 2
1
1. m6
e8
2. d7
1
3 2
3. a b
g2 o
4. h2
jl 5
5. k5

Activity 3.
Generalizations
Activity 4.
1. Given

2. 3 √g

17
 v
u2 +
3. 7
4. z 2 <5 x
mn
5. 8
c 2
−d
6. 4

Lesson 2: Simplifying Rational Algebraic Expressions

Activity 1 Match Me

1 1
1. 2 4. 3
2 1
2. 3 5. 4
3
3. 4

Activity 2. How Simple I am

1. a+5
2. 2a-1
3. 3a

Activity 3 Generalization

Activity 4 Low, Low, Low

1. x-4
−5
2. 2 ab
3. x-1
x +3
4. x
1
5. 2w

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References
Mathematics Learner’s Module Grade 8
College Algebra, 2013 Edition, Fe G. Partible, Beda H. Esller,
Milna K. Cabrera, Roland S. Zorilla, Violeta C. Mendoza
https://www.google.com/search?q=ratio
https://www.google.com/search?
rlz=1C1CHBD_enPH897PH897&sxsrf=ALeKk01UaEZ-M7v_1Fxax1OrRqsU7OMOzQ
%3A1592954686490&ei=Po_yXpW7HYK1mAXIlpfoCA&q=algebra+meaning&oq=alge
bra+meaning&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQARgAMgUIABCRAjIGCAAQBxAeMgcIABAUEIc
CMgYIABAHEB4yBggAEAcQHjIGCAAQBxAeMgYIABAHEB4yBggAEAcQHjIGCAAQB
xAeMgYIABAHEB46BAgAEEc6BwgjELACECdQ7mFYgmRg33VoAHABeACAAb0BiA
HGApIBAzAuMpgBAKABAaoBB2d3cy13aXo&sclient=psy-ab
https://www.splashlearn.com/math-vocabulary/number-
sense/expression

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