SAN JACINTO CATHOLIC SCHOOL, INC. Gen.

Math:11
San Jacinto, Pangasinan
________________________________________________________________________________
GENERAL MATHEMATICS
GRADE 11 LEARNER’S MODULE #2 – 1st Quarter, Weeks 3- 4
UNIT 2: RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
Lesson 3 - 4: Rational Equations, Rational Inequalities and Rational Functions

OBJECTIVES: In this lesson, you will learn to:

• distinguishes rational function, rational equation, and rational inequality.
• solves rational equations and inequalities.

INTRODUCTION:
The applications of rational polynomial functions or simply polynomial functions or simply rational
functions are enormous in more advanced mathematical discipline such as ring theory and numerical analysis.
Rational functions are used to model complex science and engineering equations, including forces,
electronics, optics, aerodynamics, and acoustics in physics, spectroscopy, atomic and molecular wave
functions, and enzyme kinetics in chemistry, and even in the field of medicine.
INSTRUCTION / DISCUSSION:
Rational Equations
An equation that contains rational expressions is referred to as rational equation. The following
are examples of rational equations.
2x 4 x x 4 x 2−16
i. = −2 x ii. − = −3 =1
iii.
15 5 2−x x + 4 x+ 4 2
x + 4 x+ 4
In solving rational equations, multiply each term of the equation by the least common
denominator (LCD). Then, solve the resulting equation.
Example 1: Solve each rational equation:
5x 1 1 4 x−6 7
a. − = c. =
6 2 3 2 x−3 x +1
x
b. +3= 1−
4
1
2
x
3 ( ) x 12
d. + =x −2
3 x
Solution:
a. Multiply both sides by the LCD 6.
5x 1 1
Check: If x=1 and − = , then,
6 2 3
5x 1 1 5(1) 1 1
− = − =
6 2 3 6 2 3

( 5x 1
)
1
− (6)= (6)
6 2 3
5 1 1
− =
6 2 3
5−3 1
5 x−3=2 =
6 3
2 1
5 x=5 =
6 3
1 1
x=1 = (True Statement)
3 3
5x 1 1
Hence, x=1 is the solution of − = .
6 2 3
b. The LCD of the three fractions involved is 12.
Check: If x=−6 , and
x
4
1 x
( )
+3= 1− , then
2 3
x
4
1
+3= 1−
2
x
3 ( ) −6
4
1
+3= 1−
2 ( )
−6
3

( 4x +3)(12)=[ 12 (1− 3x )](12) −6+12 1 6

4
= +
2 6

Gen.Math-11 - Page 1 of 6
 3 x+ 36=6 1− ( ) x
3
6 3+ 6
4
=
6
3 9
3 x+ 36=6−2 x =
2 6
3 3
3 x+ 2 x=6−36 = (True Statement)
2 2
5 x=−30
x 1
Hence, x=1 is the solution of +3= 1− .
4 2
x
3 ( )
x=−6
c. The given equation is in proportion form. Hence, the product of the extremes 4 x−6 and
x +1 is equal to the product of the means 2 x−3 and 7 .
4 x−6 7
=
2 x−3 x +1
( 4 x−6 ) ( x+1 )=(2 x−3)(7)
2
4 x −2 x−6=14 x −21
2
4 x −16 x+15=0
( 2 x−3 ) ( 2 x−5 )=0
3 5
x= or x=
2 2
Check:
3 4 x−6 7 5 4 x−6 7
If x= and = , then, If x= and = , then,
2 2 x−3 x +1 2 2 x−3 x +1
4 ()
3
2
−6
=
7
4
5
2()−6
=
7
2 ()
3
2
−3
3
2 ()
+1 2
5
2()−3
5
2()+1
6−6 7 4 7
= =
3−3 5 2 7
2 2
0 14 2=2 (True Statement)
= (False Statement)
0 5
3 5
The value x= is not a root of the given equation. Hence, x= is the only solution of
2 2
Such kind of value is referred to as extraneous root. 4 x−6 7
= .
2 x−3 x +1
d. The given equation can be reduced to quadratic form.
x 12
+ =x −2, x ≠ 0
3 x

3x ( x3 + 12x )=3 x ( x−2) Multiply both sides by the LCD 3x.

2 2
x + 36=3 x −6 x Apply distributive property.
2
−2 x +6 x +36=0 Combine similar terms.
x 2−3 x−18=0 Divide both sides by −2.
( x−6 )( x +3 )=0 Factor the trinomial.
x−6=0 or x +3=0
x=6 or x=−3
x 12 x 12
Check: If x=6 and + =x −2, + =x −2,
If x=−3 and
3 x 3 x
6 12 −3 12
+ =6 + =−3−2
3 6 3 −3
2+2=4 −1−4=−5
4=4 (True Statement) −5=−5 (True Statement)
Thus, the solutions of the given equation are 6 and −3.
Rational Inequalities
An inequality that contains rational expressions is referred to as rational inequality. The
following are examples of rational inequalities:

Gen.Math-11 - Page 2 of 6
 x−5 1
i. −7 ≤−
3x x−5
4 x +5 5 x
ii. >
x−4 x−4
x x−3
iii. + ≠0
3 x +2 2 x−4
Rational inequalities are easier to solve if their denominators are eliminated.
Remember that the sense of an inequality is unchanged if the same real number is added to, or
subtracted from both sides of the given inequality.
Moreover, the sense of an inequality remains if both sides of the inequality are multiplied by, or divided
by the same positive real number.
But the sense of an inequality is reversed if both sides of the inequality are multiplied by, or divided by
the same negative real number.
Example 2: Solve each rational inequality:
5 −2 x x 2
a. 3 x− ≥ b. <3−
6 3 x−2 x−2
Solution:
a. The LCD of the fractions involved is 6.

(5
6 3 x − ≥6
6 ) ( )
−2 x
3
18 x−5 ≥−4 x (The sense of the inequality is unchanged when both sides are
multiplied by the positive real number 6.)
18 x+ 4 x−5 ≥−4 x +4 x (The sense of the inequality is unchanged when real numbers 4x
and 5 are added to both sides.)
22 x−5+5 ≥ 0+5
22 x ≥ 5
22 x 5
≥ (The sense of the inequality is unchanged when both sides are
22 22
divided by 22.)
5
x≥
22

The solution set in interval form is [ 5

22 ]
,∞ .

b. The LCD of the fractions involved is x−2. This implies that x−2 ≠ 0 or x ≠ 2.
x 2
<3−
x−2 x−2
Simplify
x 2
+ −3< 0
x−2 x−2
x+ 2
−3<0
x−2
x+2−3( x−2)
<0
x−2
x +2−3 x +6 ¿ ¿ <0
x−2
−2+8
<0
x−2
Find zeroes from the numerator and the values that make the function undefined from
the denominator.
Critical values:
−2 x+ 8=0 and x−2=0
−2 x=−8 x=2
x=4 Intervals: (−∞ , 2 ) , ( 2 , 4 ) , (4 , ∞)
Rational Functions
The ratio of one polynomial function to another polynomial function is a rational function.

Gen.Math-11 - Page 3 of 6
 Definition of Rational Function
A rational function, r ( x ), is a function of the form
p (x)
r ( x )=
q ( x)
where p( x ) and q (x) are polynomial functions, and q ( x) ≠ 0.
The domain of r (x ) is the set of real numbers such that q ( x) is not zero.
The following are examples of rational functions:
3
x −1
i. f ( x )=
, x ≠−1
x+1
1 √3 i , ± 1
ii. F ( x )= 4 2 , x≠±
3 x −2 x −1 3
3
x −1 1
The defining expressions and of f (x) and F (x), respectively, are rational
x +1 3 x −2 x2 −1
4

expressions.

PRACTICE:
 Exercise 1: Determine whether the given is a rational equation, a rational inequality, a rational function or
none of these.
2+ x 7
__________________________ 1. =8 __________________________ 4. 2 x ≥
x−1 x +4
x 4
__________________________ 2. x > √ x+2 __________________________ 5. =
2 x+ 9 x3
x +3
__________________________ 3. f ( x )=6− 2
x −5

 Exercise 2: Evaluate on Functions. Given f ( x )=3 x−2 , find:

5x 1 7
I. Solve the equation: + =
6 3 12
3 2 4
II. Solve the inequality: + >1−
x x x

References:
Fernando B.O. (2017). General Mathematics for Senior High School, Phoenix Publishing House
https://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/solsearch/sol/math/AII/m_ess_a2-4c.pdf

MA. CHERRY A. MERCADO NANCY B. CORPUZ

Subject Teacher Subject Teacher

Gen.Math-11 - Page 4 of 6
 SAN JACINTO CATHOLIC SCHOOL, INC.
General Mathematics (11) – Evaluation for Module #2
Name: _____________________________ Strand: _____ Section:____________ Date:_______ Score: ____
NOTE: Do your activities here. This page should be detached and be submitted for next schedule of modules
delivery/pick-up

ACTIVITY #3: Determine whether the given is a rational equation, a rational inequality, a rational function or
none of these.
3
5 x −2 x+1 3 2 4
__________________________ 1. f (x)= __________________________ 6. + >1−
x−1 x x x
8 x
__________________________ 2. −8= __________________________ 7.
x 2 x−1
4 7
5 x −6 x +1
5 2
__________________________ 3. 6 x− ≥0 __________________________ 8. y=
x+ 3 x−1
2 x−3
__________________________ 4. √ x−2=4 __________________________ 9. −6 ≠ 0
x+7

Gen.Math-11 - Page 5 of 6
 5x 1 7
__________________________ 5. + = __________________________ 10.
6 3 12
x−3 4−3 x 2
− =
5 3 15

ACTIVITY #4: Scaffold for Performance Task. (The following rubric will be used for scoring).
Rubric for Problem Solving
Score Descriptors
5 Used an appropriate strategy to come up with a correct solution and arrived at a correct answer.
4 Used an appropriate strategy to come up with a solution. But a part of the solution led to an incorrect answer.
3 Used an appropriate strategy but came up with an entirely wrong solution that led to an incorrect answer.
1-2 Attempted to solve the problem but used an inappropriate strategy that led to a wrong solution.

Direction: Solve the following:

I. Solve each equation.
5 x x−2 x+2 2 x−4
1. + =2 2. − =0
2 8 3 2

II. Solve each inequality.

x x 9 x+1 x −3
3. − ≤ 4. + >2
5 4 10 3 5

Gen.Math-11 - Page 6 of 6