Math 8-Lesson 1 (Q4)

Lesson 1

Addition and Subtraction of

Rational Expression

Learning Competencies:
1. Add similar and dissimilar rational algebraic expressions.
2. Subtract similar and dissimilar rational algebraic expression.
3. Solve problems involving addition and subtraction of rational
algebraic expressions.

General Instructions:
 Utilize this learning kit by learning and understanding the notes and
answer the skill building activities.
 You may highlight the terms in this booklet while studying and write
your answers on the space available for the skill building activities.
 If you have clarifications and inquiries, message me in the
number and e-mail found in the cover page.

Notes

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 Math 8-Lesson 1 (Q4)

 Recall that when adding and subtracting similar fractions, simply add or subtract
the numerators, and then copy the same denominator. For instance:
2 4 7 13
+ + = .
3 3 3 3
 When it comes to fractions with different denominators (dissimilar fractions), find
the least common denominator first (LCD) to express the fractions into similar
fractions before adding or subtracting them.
 Rational expressions have similar properties with rational numbers. The process
of multiplying, dividing, adding, and subtracting rational numbers is also applied in
the operations of rational expressions.
Example 1. Add or subtract the following similar rational expressions.
a.) c.)
3 2 5 c c+2 c+ ( c+2 ) 2 c+ 2
b.) 2 + m+ 2 = m+2
m+ d.)
c−2 c−2
+ =
c−2
=
c−2
3b 1 3 b−1 5 a−bexpressions.
2 a+ b ( 5 a−b ) − ( 2 a+b ) 3 a−2 b
Example 2.−Find the= LCD of the following rational − = =
b+33 b+3 b+ 3 2 xy 2 xy 2 xy 2 xy
∧7
a.) 4 a2
8a
1. Factor the denominators: 4 a2=2 ∙ 2∙ a ∙ a
8 a=2 ∙2 ∙2 ∙ a
2. The greatest number of times that 2 appears in either of the factors
is 3, so 23.The greatest number of times that a appears in either of
the factors is 2, so a 2.
3
∧7
Therefore, the LCD of 4 a2 is (2¿¿ 3) ( a2 )=8 a2 ¿ .
8a
5
2
∧3
b.) 9 x
2
3x +x
1. Factor the denominators: 9 x 2=3 ∙3 ∙ x ∙ x
2
3 x + x =x ∙(3 x+ 1)
2. The greatest number of times that 3 appears in either of the factors
is 2, so 32 . The greatest number of times that x appears is 2, so x 2
and lastly, the greatest number of times that (3 x+ 1) appears is 1,
so (3 x+ 1)1 .

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 Math 8-Lesson 1 (Q4)

5
2
∧3
Therefore, the LCD of 9 x is 32 a2 (3 x +1) or 27 x 3+ 9 x2 .
3 x 2+ x
6
∧1
c.) 3 x
2y
1. Factor the denominators: 3 x=3 ∙ x
2 y=2 ∙ y
2. All prime factors appear once, therefore the LCD is
3 ∙ x ∙2 ∙ y=6 xy .
Example 3. Add or subtract the following rational expressions with
different denominators.
a.)
Factor the denominators:

LCD:
b.)
Factor the denominators:

LCD:

c.)

Factor the denominators:

LCD:

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 Math 8-Lesson 1 (Q4)

 Complex Rational Expression—an expression that contains a rational expression

in the numerator, in the denominator, or both.

Example 4. Simplify the following complex rational expressions.

a.) b.)
2
3 1 15+ 4 19 4xy
+
4 5 20 20 19 9 171 5z 4 x y 2 15 z3 60 x y 2 z 3 3 y z 2
= = = ∙ = = ∙ = =
5 1 5−3
c.) 2 20 2 40 8 x3 y 5 z 8 x 3 y 40 x3 yz 2 x2
−
9 3 9 9 15 z
3

Problem Solving Involving Rational Expressions

1.) The length of a rectangular pool measures 3 a2 +16 a−64 meters.
a. If its area is 2 a2 +19 a+24 m, find the measures of the pool’s
width.
b. If a=9 meters , find the length and width of the rectangle.
Solution
a.)

, measure of the pool’s width

b.) length:

width:

Skill-Building Activities
A1. Perform the indicated operations carefully.
x 3x y+ z y−z
1.) + 6.) −
6 6 4 3
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 Math 8-Lesson 1 (Q4)

3 5 5 3 6
2.) − 7.) − −
4 ab 4 ab 4a 3a a
7c 5c m−4 n+2 4 m+ 3 n−1
3.) + 8.) +
12 12 2m 7m
d 2 2p 2q
4.) − 9.) −
d−2 d−2 p−2 q 2 q−p
1 k x−1 x−3
5.) − 10.) 2 − 2
k−1 k −1 x +3 x +2 2 x + 3 x−2

A2. Reduce the following complex fractions to simple fractions.

5 a+ 2
4 2
a −3 a
1.) 5.)
1 a2 −4
4 a
7 5 x 2−x−6
−
8 8 2
x −5 x−14
2.) 6.)
7 5 2
x +6 x +5
+
8 8 2
x −6 x−7

()
1 2
1 1
1+ + +1
x b2 b
3.) 7.)
1 1
2 2
x b
1 1 2−m−m
2
+ 8.) ¿
x y 4−¿¿
4.)
y x
−
x y

References

Arnold V. Garces; Criselle Espanola-Robes. (2013). Simplified Mathematics.

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 Math 8-Lesson 1 (Q4)

Diaz, Z. B., & Mojica, M. P. (2013). Next Century Mathematics. Quezon City: Phoenix
Publishing House, Inc.

Marilou C. Geruela; Lovely Aireen M. de Guzman; Anna Khares G. Garcia. (2015).

Mathematics for the 21st Century Learner 8. Makati City: DIWA Learning
Systems Inc.

“Never let the fear of striking out stop you from playing
the game.”—Babe Ruth

Answer Sheet in Math 8

Name: ______________________________ Grade and Section: ___________
Lesson 1. Addition and Subtraction Rational Expressions
A1.
1.) 6.)

2.) 7.)

3.) 8.)

4.) 9.)

5.) 10.)

A2.
1.) 5.)

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 Math 8-Lesson 1 (Q4)

2.) 6.)

3.) 7.)

4.) 8.)

Date Accomplished: ____________________________

________________________________
Parent’s Signature Over Printed Name

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