General Mathematics Module 2 Rational Function

When two polynomial functions are expressed as a

Unit 1 quotient, a new function will be formed. This function is called a

rational function. Given two polynomial of function P and Q, the
Rational Functions 𝑃(𝑥)
function defined by f(x) = 𝑄(𝑥) is rational function. The domain of
any rational function is the set of all real numbers except the zeros
of the denominator. Consider the rational function g defined by
(𝑥+3)
g(x) = (𝑥−5).
The domain of g consists of all real numbers except 5.
(𝑥+2)
Similarly, the rational function f(x) = (𝑥2 −1) is not defined at x = 1
and x = -1.
All polynomial functions can be written as a fraction. For instance,
Name we have the polynomial function f defined by f(x) = x2 + 3, f can also
𝑥 2 +3
be written as f(x) = .
1
From this, we can say that polynomial functions are also rational
Grade/Section
functions. The examples below will provide you further knowledge
on how to determine rational functions.
Prepared by:

Mr. Jhon Robert S. Clavo Example: tell whether each of the following functions is a rational
Subject Teacher function.
3 𝑥−2 2𝑥
a. f(x) = 𝑥+3. b. f(x) = 𝑥+2 + 𝑥−2. c. f(x) = √3𝑥
1
d. f(x) = 4𝑥 2 e. f(x) = 3𝑥 −4 + 5𝑥 5 + 𝑥 − 1
Solution: the functions defined in, (a), (b), and (e) are rational Solving Rational Equations and Inequalities
functions. The function in (b) can be expressed as a single term by A rational equation is an equation indication that tow
determining the least common denominator (LCD) of the two expressions, with at least one term written as a fraction, are equal.
terms. The LCD is equal to (x+2)(x-2), or equivalently, x2- 4. The CRAM method can be used to simplify rational
𝑥−2 2𝑥
Therefore, f(x) = 𝑥+2 + 𝑥−2, is the same as f(x) =
3𝑥 2 + 4
. Moreover, equations.
𝑥 2 −4
3
(e) can be written as f(x) = 𝑥4 + 5𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 1, which is a rational
EXTEND YOUR KNOWLEDGE
function.
To simplify rational equations, apply the CRAM method.
On the other hand, the functions defined in (c) and (d) are
not rational functions. Since f(x) = √3𝑥 can be written as f(x) = C – clear all fractions by multiplying both sides of the equation by
1
the LCD of the terms.
(3𝑥)2 and ½ is not an integer. f(x) = √3𝑥 is not a polynomial
function. Consequently, it is not a ration function. The same R – Remove all grouping symbols, if there is any
explanation applies for the function defined in (d).
A – Add or subtract similar terms
Generally, functions which permit addition, subtraction,
M – Multiply or divide both sides by the numerical coefficient of
multiplication, and division, and which allow negative and rational
the variable, leaving only the variable on the left side of the
exponents, are called algebraic functions.
equation with coefficient equal to 1. Then, check the result.

Exercise: determine whether each of the following is a rational

𝑥+5 3
Example 1: solve for x in the equation =4
function, if it is not a rational function, explain why. 2𝑥
Solution: Clear all fractions by multiplying both sides by the
1. f(x) = 3x3 – 4x2 + 5x – 1
LCD of the terms 4x.
𝑥
2. f(x) = √𝑥−1 𝑥+5 3
4x[( 2𝑥 )= (4)]4x
𝑥3
3. f(x) = 1 2(x+5) = 3x
(2𝑥−4)2
2x + 10 = 3x Removing the grouping symbols
2x – 3x = -10 Combining similar terms
 -x = -10 adding similar terms.
x = 10 Dividing both sides by -1 Example 3: find x in the equation
𝑥−4
−
4𝑥+5
= 0
−2 2𝑥+3
you can also apply cross-multiplication to obtain the same result Solution: start by multiplying both sides of the equation by the
for x. LCD, which is -2(2x+3).
𝑥+5 3
=4 𝑥−4 4𝑥+5
−2(2𝑥 + 3) [( −2 ) − 2𝑥+3] = 0 [−2(2𝑥 + 3)]
2𝑥
4x + 20 = 6x by cross multiplication (2𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 4) − (−2)(4𝑥 + 5) = 0
4x – 6x = -20 combining similar terms by transposition 2𝑥 3 − 8𝑥 + 3𝑥 − 12 + 8𝑥 + 10 = 0 applying multiplication of

-2x = -20 adding similar terms polynomials

x = 10 dividing both sides by -2 2𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 2 = 0 combining similar terms

𝑥+2
Example 2: solve for x in the equation 𝑥+4 = 𝑥+2.
𝑥−2 (2𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 2) = 0 Factoring the quadratic trinomial

Solution: multiply both sides of the equation by the LCD which Equate both factors to 0 and then solve for x

is (x+4)(x+2). 2x – 1 = 0 x+2=0
𝑥+2 𝑥−2 2x = 1 x = -2
(𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 + 2) [( )] = [( )] (𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 + 2)
𝑥+4 𝑥+2 x=2
1
(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 + 2) = (𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 4)
therefore, the values of x are ½ and -2.
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4 = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 8 applying FOIL method 1 4
Example 4: find the solution of 𝑥2 +𝑥 + 1 = .
2𝑥 = −12 adding similar terms 𝑥 2 +𝑥
Solution:
𝑥 = −6 dividing both sides by 2
1 + 𝑥2 + 𝑥 = 4 multiplying both sides by (𝑥 2 + 𝑥)
you can also apply cross multiplication to obtain the same result.
𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 3 = 0 combining similar terms
Solution:
Since the resulting quadratic equation cannot be
(x+4)(x-2) = (x+2)(x+2) by cross multiplication
factored, you may apply the quadratic formula to solved for the
𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 8 = 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4 by applying FOIL method
value(s) of x. In 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 3 = 0, 𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = 1, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐 = −3
-2x = 12 by combining like terms
−𝑏±√𝑏2−4𝑎𝑐 −1±√12−4(1)(−3)
x = -6 by dividing both sides by -2 𝑥= 𝑥=
2𝑎 2(1)
 𝑥=
−1±√1+12 Solution: start by making the right side of the inequality equal to
2
−1±√13 zero (which is the standard form of inequality). Then, simplify the
𝑥=
2
−1+√13 −1−√13 left side of the inequality, and solve for x.
Thus, the values of x are and
2 2 𝑥+2 2−3𝑥
−4<0 <0
Some rational equations involve complex fractions. You may 𝑥 𝑥
Observe that the right side of the inequality must be less than
need to apply a series of algebraic rules to arrive at the solution
zero. Therefore, the numerator and the denominator must have
of the equation.
opposite signs to obtain a value less than zero. This leads to two

Rational Inequality cases:

A rational inequality is one which can be written in any of from Case 1: the numerator is less than zero, and the denominator is
below.
greater than zero.
𝑝(𝑥) 𝑝(𝑥) 𝑝(𝑥) 𝑝(𝑥) 2 − 3𝑥 < 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥>0
≥0 >0 ≤0 <0
𝑞(𝑥) 𝑞(𝑥) 𝑞(𝑥) 𝑞(𝑥) −3𝑥 < −2
2
𝑥>3
Where q(x) ≠ 0
2 2
By the intersection of the intervals, this result in 𝑥 > 3 𝑜𝑟 (3 , ∞)

2𝑥 3𝑥−1 Case 2: the numerator is greater than zero and the denominator
Example 1: Solve the inequality + >9
5 2
is less than zero.
Solution:
2 − 3𝑥 > 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥<0
2(2𝑥 ) + 5(3𝑥 − 1) > 90 multiplying both sides of the inequality by 10 −3𝑥 > −2
4𝑥 + 15𝑥 − 5 > 90 distributive property of multiplication 𝑥<3
2

19𝑥 > 95 combining similar terms Thus, by the intersection of their intervals, 𝑥 < 0 𝑜𝑟 (−∞, 0).
𝑥 > 5 dividing both sides by 19 2
Therefore, the solution set is the union of 𝑥 > 3 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 <
The inequality is true for all x > 5. Therefore the solution 2
0 𝑜𝑟 (−∞, 0) ∪ (3 , +∞)
is (5,+∞).
𝑥+2
Example 2: find the solution set of < 4.
𝑥
Students’ activity: Solve each rational equation and inequalities.
4 3 𝑥 2 +2𝑥−48 1 𝑣−2
1. 𝑥 = 2. = 𝑥+4 + 𝑣+2
𝑥−2 𝑥 2 +6𝑥+8
3 2 𝑥+3
3. 𝑥−1 = 𝑥−2 4. +1> 0
𝑥
𝑥−4 1
5. 𝑥−8 ≤ 2