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Rational Algebraic Expressions Notes

A rational algebraic expression is a ratio of two polynomials, provided that the denominator is not equal to zero. The domain of a rational expression is the set of all real numbers except for those that would make the denominator equal to zero. When the denominator is equal to zero, the expression becomes undefined. Examples of values that would make rational expressions undefined include values that would result in the denominator being equal to zero.

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12K views3 pages

Rational Algebraic Expressions Notes

A rational algebraic expression is a ratio of two polynomials, provided that the denominator is not equal to zero. The domain of a rational expression is the set of all real numbers except for those that would make the denominator equal to zero. When the denominator is equal to zero, the expression becomes undefined. Examples of values that would make rational expressions undefined include values that would result in the denominator being equal to zero.

Uploaded by

MaYTi
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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Saint Paul’s School of Ormoc Foundation, Inc.

Apitong St., Brgy. Punta, Ormoc City


(053) 255-4712 | [email protected]

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

In this section you will learn and understand the key concepts on rational algebraic
expressions.
As the concepts on rational algebraic expressions become clear to you through the
succeeding activities, do not forget to apply these concepts in real-life problems especially to
rate-related problems.

In the previous activity, the non-polynomials are called rational expressions.

What To Process

A rational algebraic expressions is a ratio of two polynomials provided


𝑃
that the denominator is not equal to zero. In symbol , where 𝑃 and 𝑄 are
𝑄
polynomials and 𝑄 ≠ 0.

Example 1: Recognizing rational expressions


Determine whether each given expression is a rational expression or not.
𝑚−3𝑛 This is a rational expression because 𝑚 − 3𝑛 and 4 are
a. polynomials.
4
This is a rational expression because it is a ratio of polynomials.
2
b. 𝑝 − 9 2
𝑝 − 9 can be expressed
𝑝2 −9
.
1

√𝑥−𝑦 This is not a rational expression because √𝑥 − 𝑦 is not a


c. polynomial.
6𝑥 3

𝑎𝑏√3 This is a rational expression because 𝑎𝑏√3 and𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐. The √3


d. in the numerator is just a constant.
𝑎+𝑏+𝑐

Example 2: Finding the values of rational expressions


Find the value(s) that cannot be used in place of the variable in the expression.
8𝑥+1 The expression is undefined when the denominator is zero, so you
a. have
2𝑥−4
2𝑥 − 4 ≠ 0
2𝑥 ≠ 4
𝑥≠2
Therefore, 𝑥 cannot be 2.
Excluded value: 2

2𝑎−5 Let 𝑎2 − 9 ≠ 0. Note that 𝑎2 − 9 can be factored as (𝑎 − 3)(𝑎 + 3).


b. Hence, (𝑎 − 3)(𝑎 + 3) ≠ 0. This means that none of the factors can
𝑎2 −9
be zero:

(𝑎 − 3) ≠ 0 (𝑎 + 3) ≠ 0
𝑎 ≠3 𝑎 ≠ −3

Therefore 𝑎 cannot be equal to 3 or -3.


Excluded values 3, -3

𝑏+𝑏2 Let 𝑏 2 − 8𝑏 + 16 = 0
c. Factor the left side:(𝑏 − 4)(𝑏 − 4) ≠ 0
𝑏2 −8𝑏+16
𝑏 − 4 ≠ 0 or 𝑏 − 4 ≠ 0
𝑏 ≠ 4 (Note that bothh inequalities will result in 𝑏 ≠ 4)
Therefore, 𝑏 cannot be equal to 4.
Excluded values: none

3𝑝−2 Note that 𝑝2 + 1 is always positive for any value of 𝑝 because 𝑝2


d. cannot be negative. Hence 𝑝, can be any real number.
𝑝2 +1

Excluded value: 0

The domain of rational expression (algebraic fraction) is the set of all real. Look into the
following examples:

Example 3: Finding the domain of each rational expressions


𝑥+5 Because the denominator is zero when 𝑥 = 2.
a.
𝑥−2
Therefore, Domain = {set of all real numbers except 2}
3𝑚2 +𝑚−5 Note that the denominators has two factors: (2𝑚 − 1)(𝑚 + 2).
b. If at least one of the factors is equal to 0, either 2𝑚 − 1 = 0 or
(2𝑚−1)(𝑚+2)
𝑚 + 2 = 0, then the denominator would be 0; the expression
would be undefined. Hence,
2𝑚 − 1 ≠ 0 and 𝑚 + 2 ≠ 0
1
𝑚 ≠ 2 and 𝑚 ≠ −2

1
That means m cannot be equal to 2 or −2
𝟏
Therefore, Domain = {set of all real numbers except and −𝟐}
𝟐

2𝑦−3 The factored form of 𝑦 2 − 4𝑦 − 12 is (𝑦 − 6)(𝑦 + 2). Because


c. either factor cannot be 0, you have
𝑦 2 −4𝑦−12
(𝑦 − 6) ≠ 0 and (𝑦 + 2) ≠ 0
𝑦 ≠ 6 and 𝑦≠2

Therefore, Domain = {set of all real numbers except 6 and 2}

Let us consider these


When the denominator of a rational algebraic expression is zero, it becomes undefined
or meaningless.

Examples:
𝟐𝒙
1. The expression is undefined or has no meaning because its denominator is zero
𝟎
𝑥+3
2. In the expression 𝑥−2 the value of 𝑥 that would make the denominator equal to zero is
2+2 4
2. Thus, if 2 is substituted to the given expression, the result is 2−2 = 0.
3
3. The expression becomes undefined or has no meaning if any or both of the
2𝑥𝑦
variables 𝒙 and 𝒚 are equal to zero. If 0 is substituted to any variable in the
denominator, the product of the factors in the denominator becomes zero.

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