General Mathematics

Work text 2
(Understanding Rational Numbers)
General Mathematics –
Grade 11
Work Text 2
Quarter 1 – Understanding Rational Numbers

After going through this module, you are expected to:

 Distinguishes rational function, rational equation and rational
inequality. M11GM-lb-3

Lesson
Rational Expressions
1

Lesson 1A: Definition of Rational Expressions

 An expression is a rational expression if it can be written in the form of

p
where p and q are polynomials and q ≠ 0.
q

Examples of Rational Expressions:

5 2 y +1 c 3+ 5 a
x, 2
y + 4 y +3
, c−4
, a+10

 As with fractions, it is often advantageous to simplify rational

expressions into lowest terms. The process of reducing rational
 expression into its lowest term is stated formally as the fundamental
principle of rational expressions.

Lesson 1B: Fundamental Principle of Rational Expressions

 Let p, q and r represent polynomials. Then:

pr p
qr
= q
for q ≠ 0 and r ≠ 0
Example: Simplify the following rational expressions:

2 x2 y 5
1. 8 x4 y3

2 x 3 +12 x 2 +16 x
2. 6 x +24

t 3+ 8
3. t 2 +6 t +8

Solution:

2 x2 y 5 2 ∙ x2 ∙ y3 ∙ y2 y2
1. 8 x4 y3
= 4 ∙ 2∙ x 2 ∙ x 2 ∙ y 3
= 4 x2

2 x 3 +12 x 2 +16 x 2 x (x 2+ 6 x+ 8) 2∙ x ∙ ( x+ 4 ) ∙(x +2) x(x +2)

2. 6 x +24
= 6(x +4 )
= 2 ∙ 3∙( x + 4) = 3

t 3+ 8 (t +2)( t 2−2 t + 4) t 2−2t +4

3. t 2 +6 t +8
= (t+ 2)(t +4 )
= t +4

What’s More

Simplify the following rational expressions:

 (x ¿¿ 2+5 x + 4)(x +5)
1. ( x 2 – 1)
¿

(x 2 – 4 )
2. (x 2 +4 x + 4)

9 a5 b3
3. 18 a8 b

x−5
4. 25−x 2

2 x−6
5. 15−5 x

For better understanding about Rational Expressions,

click the link and watch a video tutorial.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZjXoE04IBk

Lesson
Rational Equations
2

Lesson 2A: Definition of Rational Equations:

 A rational equation is an equation containing at least one fraction

P( x )
whose numerator and denominator are polynomials, . These
Q(x)
fractions may be on one or both sides of the equation. A common way to
solve
these equations is to reduce the fractions to a common denominator and
then solve the equality of the numerators. While doing this, we have to
0 1
make sure to note cases where indeterminate forms like  or may
0 0
arise.
  Rational equation is an equation containing rational expressions.

Examples of Rational Expressions:

2−x 3
3+ x
= 12 , 1
+
2
x 1−x
= 11
x
+ x(2 x +3)
, 1
x−2
= 1
8

Lesson 2B: Solving Rational Equations

Example:

x−4 x
1. Solve: + =6
4 3 Checking: Substitute x = 12
x−4 x to the equation.
Solution: + = 6
4 3
x−4 x
+ = 6
4 3
3 ( x−4 )+ 4 x
4 ∙3
=6 12−4 12
+ =6
4 3
8 12
3 x −12+ 4 x + =6
12 =6 4 3

7x – 12 = 12 ∙ 6
2+4=6
7x = 72 + 12 6=6
7x = 84
84
X=
7
X = 12

2m m−5 Checking: Substitute m = -4

2. Solve: +
m−1 m 2−1
=1 to the equation.

2m m−5
Solution:
2m m−5
+ =1 +
m−1 m 2−1
=1
m−1 m 2−1

2(−4) (−4)−5
2m m−5 + =1
+
m−1 ( m−1)( m+1)
=1 (−4)−1 (−4 )2−1

−8 −9
+
−5 15
=1

8 3
− =1
 ( m+1 ) ( 2 m )+ m−5
( m−1)(m+1) =1

2 m2+2 m+m−5=(m−1)(m+1)
2 m2+3 m−5=¿ m 2−1
2 m 2−m 2+ 3 m−5+1=¿ 0
m2 +3 m−4=¿ 0
(m – 1) (m + 4) = 0
m – 1 = 0; m + 4 = 0
m = 1; m = -4

What’s More

Direction: Solve each equation. Remember to check for extraneous solutions.

Show your solutions neatly, completely and systematically.

4 1
1. +
x x2
= 51x 2

x−5 1
2. +
x2 x2
= 6x

5 1
3. −
k k 2 +6 k
= 1k

For better understanding about Rational Equations,

click the link and watch a video tutorial.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqOgS7gTLqQ

Lesson
Rational Inequalities
3
Lesson 3A: Definition of Rational Inequalities

 Rational Inequality is a rational expression that in place of equal (=)

sign is one of the symbols ¿ ,>¿,≤ ,∨≥.

Examples of Rational Inequality:

1 3 x +1 1 3 2
x
≥ 3; 2 x +5
¿ 0; 2
+ 2
x −4
>¿ 1; 2
x +2 x+ 1
≤ 0

Lesson 3B: Solving Rational Inequality

Steps in solving rational inequality:

1.  If necessary, rewrite the inequality so a zero appears on one side, with
a single fraction on the other side.
2. Find the x-value(s) that make the numerator equal to zero.
3. Find the x-value(s) that make the denominator equal to zero.
The values from steps 2 and 3 will determine the number line test
intervals.
4. On a number line, mark each of the values from steps 2 and 3.
    Use only these values to create intervals on the number line.
5. Select a test point in each interval, and check to see if that test point
satisfies the original inequality. (This will determine the intervals which
satisfy the inequality.)
6. Mark the number line to reflect the values and intervals that satisfy the
inequality.
7. State your answer using the desired form of notation.

Example:

 Solve: 
Solution:

1. Rewrite the inequality to contain a zero on the right-hand side. Create a

single fraction on the left-hand side.

Subtract the 2 from both sides. Get common denominator on the left
side.

2. Determine any value(s) that makes the numerator equal 0.

-x - 8 = 0   x = -8

3. Determine any value(s) that makes the denominator equal 0.

x + 3 = 0   x = -3

4. Prepare number line using only values from steps 2 and 3 as your
marked values.

5. And 6. Select a test point in each interval and check to see if it satisfies
the original inequality, or the inequality set < 0. (The original inequality
is used in the chart below.) Mark the number line with arrows/segments,
and label TRUE/FALSE.

test point -9: test point -5: test point 0:

 7. State answer.

It may appear from the example above that the "truth values"
on the number line will alternate back and forth between TRUE and FALSE
along the line. ThisWhat’s
is NOTMore
necessarily the case. You may run into a pattern
of FALSE, TRUE, TRUE (or any other combination) along the line.

Alternate way to find the "numerator" critical value(s)

In the original inequality, if you change the inequality symbol to an equal
sign
Direction: Solve each rational inequality and graph the solution set on a real
number line. Express each solution set in interval notation.

x−3
1. x+ 1 ≥ 0

2 x +1
2. x−5 ≤ 3

x
3. x+1 ¿ 3x

For better understanding about Rational Inequalities,

click the link and watch a video tutorial.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmilrBS0VoA

What I have Learned

 An expression is a rational expression if it can be written in the form of

p
where p and q are polynomials and q ≠ 0.
q

 A rational equation is an equation containing at least one fraction

P( x )
whose numerator and denominator are polynomials, . These
Q(x)
fractions may be on one or both sides of the equation. A common way to
solve
these equations is to reduce the fractions to a common denominator and
then solve the equality of the numerators. While doing this, we have to
0 1
make sure to note cases where indeterminate forms like  or may
0 0
arise.
  Rational equation is an equation containing rational expressions.

 Rational Inequality is a rational expression that in place of equal (=)

sign is one of the symbols ¿ ,>¿,≤ ,∨≥.

 What are the steps in solving rational inequalities?

1. If necessary, rewrite the inequality so a zero appears on one side, with

a single fraction on the other side.
2. Find the x-value(s) that make the numerator equal to zero.
3. Find the x-value(s) that make the denominator equal to zero.
The values from steps 2 and 3 will determine the number line test
intervals.
4. On a number line, mark each of the values from steps 2 and 3.
Use only these values to create intervals on the number line.
5. Select a test point in each interval, and check to see if that test point
satisfies the original inequality. (This will determine the intervals which
satisfy the inequality.)
6. Mark the number line to reflect the values and intervals that satisfy the
inequality.
7. State your answer using the desired form of notation.

What’s More

Direction: Determine the following if it is rational expression, rational

equation, or rational inequality.

6 a+18 1
1. 9 a+27 6. x ≥ 3

1 3 1 1
2. 2 + 2 >¿1
x −4
7. x−2 = 8

2 2
3. 2
x +2 x+ 1
≤0 8. 2
x +2 x+ 1
≤0

1 2 11 3 5
4. x + 1−x = x + x(2 x +3) 9. x
 a 2−x 1
5. a+10 10. 3+ x = 2

References:

https://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/classes/alg/RationalExpressions.
aspx
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmilrBS0VoA
https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/pontifical-and-royal-
university-of-santo-tomas-the-catholic-university-of-the-
philippines/discrete-mathematics/gen-math-q1-mod-2-teachers-
name-j-ubaldo/9297091
https://www.storyofmathematics.com/simplifying-rational-
expressions
https://www.purplemath.com/modules/solvrtnl.htm