LESSON 6: SOLVING RATIONAL EQUATIONS AND INEQUALITIES

Learning Competency: The learner solves rational equations and inequalities (M11GM-Ib-3).

ENTRY CARD Set Interval Notation

Directions: Complete the following table by drawing the appropriate graphs for the given notations,

Notation Interval Graph

(𝑎, 𝑏) {𝑥|𝑎 < 𝑥 < 𝑏}

[𝑎, 𝑏] {𝑥|𝑎 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝑏}

[𝑎, 𝑏) {𝑥|𝑎 ≤ 𝑥 < 𝑏}

(𝑎, 𝑏] {𝑥|𝑎 < 𝑥 ≤ 𝑏}

(𝑎, ∞) {𝑥|𝑎 < 𝑥}

[𝑎, ∞) {𝑥|𝑎 ≤ 𝑥}

(−∞, 𝑏) {𝑥|𝑥 < 𝑏}

(−∞, 𝑏] {𝑥|𝑥 ≤ 𝑏}

RULE Solving Rational Equations

1. Eliminate the rational expressions in the equation by multiplying both sides of the equation
by the LCD.
2. Solve the equation.
3. Check the solution.

RULE Solving Rational Equations

1. Write the inequality with a single rational expression on the left- hand side of the inequality
and zero on the right- hand side.
2. Determine the meaningful numbers by setting the numerator equal to zero and setting the
denominator equal to zero.
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3. Use the meaningful numbers to separate the number lines into intervals.
4. Test for the meaningful numbers if they make the inequality true or false. If true, then they
are part of the solution. If false, then they are not part of the solution.
- Get the values in each interval and substitute them into the inequality.
- If the test value makes the inequality true, then the entire interval is a solution to the
inequality.
- If the test value makes the inequality false, then the entire interval is NOT a solution to
the inequality.
5. Express the answer in interval notation.
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Illustrative Examples:
𝑥 1 𝑥
1. Solve for x: + = .
5 4 2
Solution:
The LCD of the denominators is 20.
𝑥 1 𝑥
+ =
5 4 2
𝑥 1 𝑥 Multiply both sides by the LCD, 20.
20 ( + ) = ( ) 20
5 4 2
4𝑥 + 5 = 10𝑥 Apply the Distributive Property.
5 = 6𝑥 Simplify.
5 Divide both sides by 6.
=𝑥
6

Check:
5 5
(6) 1 (6)
+ = Substitute the solved value of x in the original
5 4 2 equation.
5 1 1 5 1
( )( ) + = ( )( ) Simplify.
6 5 4 6 2
5 5 5
( )=( ) True. Therefore, 6 is the solution.
12 12

𝑥+2
2. Solve for x: 𝑥−3 ≤ 0.

1. Set the original inequality 𝑥+2

≤0
𝑥−3
2. Get the meaningful numbers. Numerator:
𝑥+2=0
Set both the numerator and the 𝑥 = −2
denominator equal to zero. Then,
solve. Test the meaningful numbers. Test -2:
−2 + 2 0
= =0≤0
−2 − 3 5

True. Thus, -2 is a solution.

Denominator:
𝑥−3=0
𝑥=3
Test 3:
3+3 6
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= = 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑
3−3 0

False. Thus, 3 is NOT a solution.

3. Separate the number line into

intervals using the numbers found in
Step 2.

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 -2

4. Get test value for A, B and C. For A, test -3:

𝑥+2
≤0
𝑥−3
−3 + 2
≤0
−3 − 3
1
≤0
6
False. Thus interval A is NOT a solution.

For B, test 1:
𝑥+2
≤0
𝑥−3
1+2
≤0
1−3
−3 ≤ 0
True. Thus interval B is a solution.

For C, test 4:
𝑥+2
≤0
𝑥−3
4+2
≤0
4−3
2≤0
True. Thus interval C is a solution.

5. Answer in interval notation. [−2,3)

ACTIVITY 6.1 Finding X

Directions: Solve each rational equation. State any restriction in the variables.
3 1
1. 𝑎+3 − 𝑎−2 = 5
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 𝑥−9
2. 3𝑥+2
≤3

4 3𝑑−2
3. 2𝑑−5
= 2𝑑−5 − 2

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 LESSON 7: REPRESENTATIONS OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

Learning Competency: The learner represents a rational function through its: (a) table of
values, (b) graph, and (c) equation.

Specific Learning Outcomes:

DEVELOPING SKILLS

Illustrative Examples:
𝑥 2 −3𝑥−10
1. Represent the rational function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥
using a table of values. Plot the points given in
the table of values and sketch a graph by connecting the points.
Solution:
From the given function 𝑥 ≠ 0 because it will make the function undefined. Using
[−5, 0) ∪ (0,9], we construct the table of values as follows:

𝒙 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
𝒇(𝒙) -6 −4.5 -2.67 0 6 -12 -6 -3.33 -1.5 0 1.33 2.57 3.75

NOTE that 𝑥 = −2 and 𝑥 = 5 are zeroes of the rational function, which means that at
these values, 𝑓(𝑥) = 0. Therefore, these x- values give the x- intercepts of the graph.
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 ACTIVITY 7.1 Constructing Tables
Directions: Analyze the following problems. Generate a table of values for the following. You may use
your Geogebra in plotting the points from the table of values.

𝑥 2 +𝑥−6
1. For the function, 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 +𝑥−20:
a. Identify the values for which the function will be undefined.
b. Construct a table of values for −6 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2 where 𝑥 takes on integer values.
c. Identify the zeroes of the function.
d. Plot and sketch the graph of the function.

2. The electric current 𝐼 (in amperes) passing through a resistor is related to the voltage 𝑉 across a
𝑉
resistor (in volts) and the resistance 𝑅 (in ohms) by the formula 𝐼 = 𝑅. If the resistor is connected
across the terminals of a car battery (12 volts), construct a table of values of the current across
the resistor for different resistor values from 2000 ohms to 5,000 ohms. Use intervals of 1000
ohms. Plot these values as points in the Cartesian plane and connect the points. Is this a smooth
curve or a straight line?

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 LESSON 8: GRAPHING RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

Learning Competencies: The learner

a. finds the domain and range of a rational function (M11GM-Ib-5);
b. determines the intercepts, zero and asymptote of rational functions
(M11GM-Ic-1); and
c. graphs rational functions (M11GM-Ic-2).

ENTRY CARD Definition of Terms

DEFINITION
• In a function, the domain is the set of all values that the variable x can take. Meanwhile, the
range of a function is the set of all values that 𝑓(𝑥) can take.

• Intercepts are 𝑥 and 𝑦- coordinates of the points at which a graph crosses the 𝑥 and 𝑦- axis,
respectively.

• The zeroes of a function are the values of x which make the function zero. The real numbered
zeroes are also 𝑥-intercepts of the graph of the function.

• An asymptote is a straight line associated with a curve such that as a point moves along an
infinite branch of the curve, the distance from the point to the line approaches zero and the
slope of the curve at the point approaches the slope of the line. In other words, it is a line or
a curve that the graph of a function gets close to but does not touch.

• VERTICAL ASYMPTOTE. To find the restrictions of the domain of a reduced rational

function, equate the denominator to 0 and solve for x.

• HORIZONTAL ASYMPTOTE. The horizontal asymptote is determined by comparing the degree

𝑁(𝑥) 𝒂𝒏 𝒙𝒏 +𝒂𝒏−𝟏 𝒙𝒏−𝟏 +𝒂𝒏−𝟐 𝒙𝒏−𝟐 +⋯+𝒂𝟏 𝒙+𝒂𝟎
of 𝑁(𝑥) and 𝐷(𝑥) in 𝑓(𝑥) = =
𝐷(𝑥) 𝒃𝒎 𝒙𝒎 +𝒃𝒎−𝟏 𝒙𝒎−𝟏 +𝒃𝒎−𝟐 𝒙𝒎−𝟐 +⋯+𝒃𝟏 𝒙+𝒃
a. If 𝑛 < 𝑚, the graph of the function has the line 𝑦 = 0 as horizontal asymptote.
𝑎
b. If 𝑛 = 𝑚, the graph of the function has the line 𝑦 = 𝑏𝑛 as a horizontal asymptote where 𝑎𝑛
𝑛
and 𝑏𝑚 or the leading coefficient of the numerator and denominator, respectively.
c. If 𝑛 < 𝑚, the graph of the function has no horizontal asymptote.

• OBLIQUE ASYMPTOTE. Oblique asymptotes occurs when the numerator of 𝑓(𝑥) has a degree
that is one higher than the degree of the denominator. Simply divide the numerator by the
denominator by either long division or synthetic division. The oblique asymptote is the
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quotient with the remainder ignored and set equal to 𝑦.

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 DEVELOPING SKILLS

PROCEDURE Guidelines in Graphing Rational Functions

1. Factor the numerator and the denominator.
2. Find the intercepts
- x- intercepts: zeroes of the numerator
- y- intercept: 𝑓(0)
3. Find the vertical asymptotes by determining the zeroes of the denominator.
4. Find the horizontal asymptotes.
5. Plot points to the left, to the right and between the asymptotes.
- See if 𝑦 → ∞ or 𝑦 → −∞on each side of the vertical asymptote.
- Sketch the graph. Use plotted points and the asymptotes. Plot as many additional points
as needed to fill in the rest of the graph of the function.

Illustrative Examples:
3𝑥 2 −8𝑥−3
1. Sketch the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 2 +7𝑥−4. Find its domain and range.
Solution:
a. Recall that the domain is the set of all values that 𝑥 can take excluding vaues that will make
the function undefined. Equate the denominator to zero and solve for x.
2𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 − 4 = 0
(𝑥 + 4)(2𝑥 − 1) = 0
1
At 𝑥 = −4 and 𝑥 = 2, the denominator will be zero and eventually making the function
1 1
undefined. Therefore, the domain of the function is given by (−∞, −4) ∪ (−4, 2) ∪ (2 , +∞).

b. To obtain the 𝑦- intercept, set 𝑥 = 0:

3(0)2 − 8(0) − 3 0 − 0 − 3 −3 3
𝑓(0) = = = =
2(0)2 + 7(0) − 4 0 + 7 − 4 −4 4

c. To obtain the 𝑥- intercepts, find the values of 𝑥 where the numerator is zero but the
denominator is non-zero.
3𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 − 3 = 0
(3𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 3) = 0

(3𝑥 + 1) = 0 (𝑥 − 3) = 0
3𝑥 = −1 𝑥=3
−1
𝑥=
3
−1
At 𝑥 = 3
and 𝑥 = 4, the numerator will be zero.
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d. To obtain the vertical asymptotes, find the values of x where the denominator of the reduced
1
rational function is zero. From Step A, we found out that at 𝑥 = −4 and 𝑥 = 2, the
denominator will be zero.

e. To obtain the horizontal asymptotes, we use the degree of the numerator and denominator.
Since 𝑛 = 𝑚, we get the ratio of the leading coefficients of the numerator and denominator,
3
thus, 𝑦 = 2.
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 f. Plot two points between and beyond the vertical asymptotes. Use the asymptotes and the
plotted points to draw the graph.

ACTIVITY 8.1 How Do I Look Like?

Directions: Graph the following rational functions. Find the domain and range, intercepts and the
asymptotes.

𝑥 2 −3𝑥+2
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 −5𝑥+6

3𝑥 2 −2𝑥−1
2. 𝑓(𝑥) =
2𝑥 2 +3𝑥−2

2𝑥 2
3. 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥 2 −9

𝑥 2 −2𝑥−3
4. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥−2

𝑥+4
5. 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥−2)(𝑥−4)

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