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Solving Rational Equations and Inequalities

This document discusses solving rational equations and inequalities. It begins by defining rational functions, equations, and inequalities. An example is then shown of solving a rational equation by multiplying both sides by the least common denominator. The document continues with solving a rational inequality, which involves rewriting it so the right side is zero, finding where the numerator and denominator are equal to zero, and using sign analysis to determine the intervals where the fraction is less than zero. The solution set is expressed as the union of the intervals where the numerator and denominator have opposite signs.

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70 views9 pages

Solving Rational Equations and Inequalities

This document discusses solving rational equations and inequalities. It begins by defining rational functions, equations, and inequalities. An example is then shown of solving a rational equation by multiplying both sides by the least common denominator. The document continues with solving a rational inequality, which involves rewriting it so the right side is zero, finding where the numerator and denominator are equal to zero, and using sign analysis to determine the intervals where the fraction is less than zero. The solution set is expressed as the union of the intervals where the numerator and denominator have opposite signs.

Uploaded by

tishvill18
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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FUNCTIONS AND THEIR

GRAPHS:
S O LV I N G R AT I O N A L F U N C T I O N S ,
E Q UAT I O N S A N D I N E Q UA L I T I E S

Prepared by: Marilyn O. Abas


General Mathematics Teacher
SPECIFIC LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end of this module, the learner is
expected to:
1. distinguish rational function, equation, and
inequality.
2. solve rational equations and inequalities
3. solve problems involving rational equations and
inequalities
|get ready!
Determine whether the given is a rational function,
a rational equation, a rational inequality, or none
of these.
How do we distinguish among rational
function, rational equation and rational
inequality?
Solving Rational Equations and Inequalities
10 4 5
Example 1: Solve the equation + = .
𝑥(𝑥−2) 𝑥 𝑥−2
10 4 5
𝒙(𝒙 − 𝟐) 𝑥(𝑥−2)
+ 𝑥
= 𝑥−2
𝒙 𝒙−𝟐 Multiply both
sides of the
10 + 4 𝑥 − 2 = 5 𝑥 equation by the
Remove the LCD
grouping symbols 10 + 4𝑥 − 8 = 5𝑥
4𝑥 − 5𝑥 = −10 + 8
−𝑥 = −2 Combine similar
Divide both
terms by
sides by -1 𝒙=𝟐 transposition
Ex. 7, p.41
𝑥+2
Find the solution set of < 4.
𝑥
SOLUTION:
a. Rewrite the inequality to contain
a zero on the right-hand side.

𝟐 − 𝟑𝒙
<𝟎
𝒙
From the numerator:
2 − 3𝑥 = 0
−3𝑥 = −2
𝟐
𝒙=𝟑

2
(b) The value 𝑥 = is included in the solution
3
since it makes the fraction equal to zero, while
𝑥 = 0 makes the fraction undefined.
From the
denominator:
2
𝒙=𝟎 0
3
(c) Choose convenient test points in the interval determined
2 2−3𝑥
by 0 and to determine the sign of in these intervals.
3 𝑥
Construct a table of signs as shown below.
(d) Since we are looking for the intervals where the fraction
is less than zero, i.e., the numerator and the denominator
must have opposite signs to obtain a value less than zero,
2
we determine the solution intervals to be 𝒙 < 𝟎 and 𝒙 > . 3
Plot these intervals on the number line.

2
Therefore, the solution set is the union of 𝒙 < 𝟎 and 𝒙 > 3
which can be written as
𝟐 𝟐
𝒙 ∈ ℝ 𝒙 < 𝟎 𝒐𝒓 𝒙 > 𝟑
or (−∞, 𝟎) ∪ ( , +∞).
𝟑

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