Republic of the Philippines EM 110 – Funda.

of Eng’g Math
CAMARINES SUR POLYTECHNIC COLLEGES Module 1.2 – Rational Expressions
Nabua, Camarines Sur Instructor: Engr. Lara Jane D. Mendoza
ISO 9001:2015

EM 110 Special Products and Factoring

FUNDAMENTALS OF ENGINEERING 1. 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 = (𝑥 + 𝑦)(𝑥 − 𝑦)
MATHEMATICS 2. 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 = (𝑥 + 𝑦)(𝑥 + 𝑦)
3. 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 = (𝑥 − 𝑦)(𝑥 − 𝑦)
Module 1.2 – College Algebra: Rational 4. (𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧)2 = (𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 +
Expressions 2𝑥𝑦 + 2𝑥𝑧 + 2𝑦𝑧)
5. 𝑥 3 + 𝑦 3 = (𝑥 + 𝑦)(𝑥 2 − 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 )
Rational Expression – ratio of two 6. 𝑥 3 − 𝑦 3 = (𝑥 − 𝑦)(𝑥 2 + 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 )
polynomials.
Performing Operations on Rational
Polynomials – sum of several terms that Expressions
contain different power of the same variable.
Example: (where x, y and z are the variables) I. Addition/Subtraction
1. 𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 9  Same denominator
2. 𝑦 2 − 25 𝑎 𝑏 𝑎+𝑏
3. 𝑧 3 + 3𝑧 2 + 8𝑧 + =
𝑐 𝑐 𝑐
We add or subtract rational expressions with the
Laws of Exponents same denominator by:
1. Adding or subtracting the numerators,
1. 𝒂𝒏 = 𝒂 ∙ 𝒂 ∙ 𝒂 … (𝒏 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒔) 2. Placing this result over the common
𝐸𝑥) 𝑎4 = 𝑎 ∙ 𝑎 ∙ 𝑎 ∙ 𝑎 denominator, and
3. Simplifying, if possible.
2. 𝒂𝒎 ∙ 𝒂𝒏 = 𝒂𝒎+𝒏
𝐸𝑥) 𝑎3 ∙ 𝑎 = 𝑎3+1 = 𝑎4  Different denominator
𝑎 𝑐 𝑎𝑑 + 𝑐𝑏
𝒂𝒎 + =
3. 𝒂𝒏
= 𝒂𝒎−𝒏 𝑏 𝑑 𝑏𝑑
𝑎6 1. Find the LCD of the rational expressions.
𝐸𝑥) 3 = 𝑎6−3 = 𝑎3 2. Rewrite each rational expression as an
𝑎 equivalent expression whose denominator is
the LCD. To do so, multiply the numerator
4. (𝒂𝒎 )𝒏 = 𝒂𝒎𝒏 and the denominator of each rational
𝐸𝑥) (𝑎2 )5 = 𝑎10 expression by any factor(s) needed to
convert the denominator into the LCD.
5. (𝒂𝒃𝒄)𝒏 = 𝒂𝒏 𝒃𝒏 𝒄𝒏 3. Add or subtract numerators, placing the
𝐸𝑥) (2𝑎𝑏)3 = (23 𝑎3 𝑏3 ) = 8𝑎3 𝑏 3 resulting expression over the LCD.
4. If possible, simplify the resulting rational
𝒂 𝒂𝒏
6. (𝒃)𝒏 = (𝒃𝒏 ) expression.
𝑎 𝑎2
𝐸𝑥) ( )2 = ( 2 ) II. Multiplication
𝑏 𝑏
1. Factor all numerators and denominators
𝒎
𝒏
7. 𝒂 𝒏 = √𝒂𝒎 completely.
1
3
2. Divide numerators and denominators by
𝐸𝑥) 𝑎3 = √𝑎 common factors.
3. Multiply the remaining factors in the
𝟏
8. 𝒂−𝒏 = 𝒂𝒏 numerators and multiply the remaining
1 factors in the denominators.
𝐸𝑥) 𝑎−2 =
𝑎2
III. Division
9. 𝒂𝟎 = 𝟏 1. Get the reciprocal of the second expression
𝐸𝑥)10000 = 1; 𝑥 0 = 1 and proceed to multiplication process.
Tips:
Factorization – the opposite process of There are two rules for working with rational
expanding brackets. The usual process expressions:
includes changing a long expression without 1. Begin every problem by factoring
any brackets to a shorter expression that everything you can.
includes brackets. 2. Remember that, despite all the
Ex) 2𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 4 = 2(𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 2) complicated looking functions, a
= 2(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 1) rational expression is just a fraction:
you manipulate them using all the
rules of fractions that you are familiar
with.

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