GENERAL MATHEMATICS

Module 2: Week 2: First Quarter

RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
Solving Rational Equations and Inequalities

Objectives

The objectives of this module are for students to represent real-life situations using
rational functions, distinguish rational function from rational equations and inequalities,
formulate and solve accurately the rational functions and inequalities, and graph rational
functions.

Learning Competencies

At the end of this module, the learner should be able to:

1. Represents real-life situations using rational functions (M11GM-Ib-1)
2. Distinguishes rational function, rational equation, and rational inequality
(M11GM-Ib-2)
3. Solves rational equations and inequalities (M11GM-Ib-3)
4. Represents a rational function through its: (a) table of values, (b) graph,
and (c) equation (M11GM-Ib-4)

Let’s Recall

1. A polynomial function p of degree n is a function that can be written in the form

where a0, a1, … an
an ≠ 0, and n is a positive integer. Each addend of the sum is a term of the
polynomial function. The constants ao, a1, a2, … , an are the coefficients. The
leading coefficient is an. The leading term is anxn , and the constant term is a0.

2. Identify if each of the following expressions is a polynomial or NOT.

a. 4x2

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3. Find the LCM of the following polynomials:
a. 2x2, 2, 4
b. 10x, 5x3, 15x
c. 3x5, 9x4, 12x2
d. (x2 – 1), (x + 1)
e. (x + 2), (x2 + 3x + 2), (x + 1)

4. Factoring Polynomials
Factor the following:
a. 3xy + 9x2y3 e. x2 – 16
b. 2a2b – 4ab + 8a3c2 f. 25x2 – 36
c. x2 – 2x - 3 g. 2x2 – x – 6
d. x2 – 7x + 10 h. 6x2 -5x + 1

Let’s Understand

A. Rational Functions and Inequalities in Real-life

Rational numbers were introduced in Grade 7. Oxford
Dictionary defines rational numbers as “based on or in
accordance with reason or logic”. On the other hand, when
contextualized in the field of Mathematics, rational numbers
are “numbers which can be expressed as a ratio of two
integers”. These kinds of numbers certainly are “rational” in
the sense that they exist “logically” since they can be
expressed as a ratio of two integers.

As you explore and undergo higher levels in Mathematics, you will

encounter rational expressions which can then be equated with
one another. Problems involving motion and work normally require
skills in solving rational equations.
On the other hand, you will also encounter inequality symbols
(≠, ≥, ≤,>, or <) between rational expressions. The skill of solving
rational inequalities is advantageous in business and
constructions. For instance, analysts were able to discover a
pattern and create an expression describing the sales of a product.
We may use our knowledge about rational inequalities if we want
to determine when will the sales go beyond or be less than a
specified amount.

Rational Function – a function of the form where p(x) and q(x) are
polynomial functions and q(x) is not equal to 0 (i.e q(x) ≠ 0)

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Example 1: An object is to travel a distance of 10 meters. Express velocity v as a function of
travel time t, in seconds.

Solution: The following table of values shows v for various values of t.

t (seconds) 1 2 4 5 10
v (meters per second) 10 5 2.5 2 1

The function v(t) = can represent v as a function of t.

Example 2: In an organ pipe, the frequency f of vibration of air is inversely proportional to

the length L of the pipe. Suppose that the frequency of vibration in a 10-foot
pipe is 54 vibrations per second. Express f as a function of L.

Solution:
Since f is inversely proportional to L, then, f = where k is the constant of proportionality.
If L = 10 then f = 54. Thus, Thus, the function represents f(L) = 540/L
represents f as a function of L.

B. Rational Function, Rational Equation, and Rational Inequality

Definition:
1.1 A rational expression is a fraction whose numerator and denominator are both
polynomials. It can be written in the form , where 𝐴 and 𝐵 are both polynomials,
and 𝐵 ≠ 0.
Examples:

The definitions of rational equations, inequalities, and functions are shown below.

Rational Equation Rational Inequality Rational Function

Definition An equation involving An inequality A function of the form
rational expressions. involving rational where
expressions.
p(x) and q(x) are
polynomial functions
and q(x) is not equal
to 0 (i.e q(x) ≠ 0).
Example

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 A rational equation or inequality can be solved for all x values that satisfy the equation or
inequality. A rational function expresses a relationship between two variables (such as x and
y) and can be represented by a table of values or a graph.

Example:

Determine whether the given is a rational function, a rational equation, a rational

inequality or none of these.

Solution:

Example 1 is an example of rational function, examples 2 and 6 are examples of

rational equations, example 4 is an example of rational inequality, and examples 3 and 5 are
none of these since they are not polynomial functions.

C. Solving Rational Equations and Inequalities

To solve rational equations:

1. Eliminate denominators by multiplying each term of the equation by the least
common denominator.
2. Note that eliminating denominators may introduce extraneous solutions. Check the
solutions of the transformed equations with the original

Example 1: Solve for x:

Solution:
The LCD is 10x. Multiply both sides of the equation by 10x and solve the equation.

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Example 2: Solve for x:

The LCD is (x + 2)(x – 2).

Multiply both sides of the equation by the LCD:

x=5 and x=-2

To solve rational inequalities:

1. Rewrite the inequality as a single rational expression on one side of the inequality
symbol and 0 on the other side.

2. Determine over what intervals the rational expression takes on positive and negative
values.
a. Locate the x values for which the rational expression is zero or undefined
(factoring the numerator and denominator is a useful strategy).
b. Mark the numbers found in (a) on a number line. Use a shaded circle to indicate
that the value is included in the solution set, and a hollow circle to indicate that
the value is excluded. These numbers partition the number line into intervals.
c. Select a test point within the interior of each interval in (b). The sign of the
rational expression at this test point is also the sign of the rational expression at
each interior point in the aforementioned interval.
d. Summarize the intervals containing the solutions.

Take Note: Multiplying both sides of an inequality by a number requires that the sign
(positive or negative) of the number is known. Since the sign of a variable
is unknown, it is not valid to multiply both sides of an inequality by a variable.

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Example 1: Solve the inequality:

Solution:
a. Rewrite the inequality as a single rational expression.

b. The rational expression will be zero for x = 1 and undefined for x = –1. The value
x = 1 is included while x = –1 is not. Mark these on the number line. Use a shaded
circle for x = 1 (a solution) and an unshaded circle for x = -1 (not a solution).

c. Choose convenient test points in the intervals determined by –1 and 1 to determine

the sign of in these intervals. Construct a table of signs as shown below.

Interval x<1 -1< x < 1 x>1

Test Point x = -2 x=0 x>1
x–1 - - +
x+1 - + +
+ - +

d. Since we are looking for the intervals where the rational expression is positive or
zero, we determine the solution to be the set . Plot this set
on the number line.

D. Represent a Rational Function through its:

a. Equation
b. Table of Values
c. Graph

Example 1:
Average speed (or velocity) can be computed by the formula s = d/t. Consider a 100-meter
track used for foot races. The speed of a runner can be computed by taking the time for him
to run the track and applying it to the formula s = 100/t, since the distance is fixed at 100
meters.
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Represent the speed of a runner as a function of the time it takes to run 100 meters in the
track.
a. Equation b. Table of Values c. Graph

Solution:
Since the speed of a runner depends on the time it takes to run 100 meters, we can
represent speed as a function of time.

a. Equation

Let x represent the time it takes to run 100 meters. Then the speed can be represented as a
function s(x) as follows:

Observe that it is similar to the structure to the formula s = d/t relating speed, distance, and
time.

b. Table of Values

Construct a table of values for the speed of a runner against different run times.

A table of values can help us determine the behavior of a function as the variable x changes.
The current world record (as of October 2015) for the 100-meter dash is 9.58 seconds set by
the Jamaican Usain Bolt in 2009. We start our table of values at 10 seconds.

Let x be the runtime s(x) and be the speed of the runner in meters per second, where
s(x) = 100/x. The table of values for run times from 10 seconds to 20 seconds is as follows:

x 10 12 14 16 18 20
s(x) 10 8.33 7.14 6.25 5.56 5

Note: Just substitute the value of x to s(x) = 100/x, then simplify.

c. Graph
The coordinates are: A(12, 8.33), B(12, 8.33), C(14, 7.14), D(16,6.25), E(18, 5.56), F(20, 5)
Plotting the points in Cartesian plane: