LEARNING PLAN FOR MATHEMATICS 7

Simplifying Rational Expressions and Domain of Rational Expressions

Day 1 (100 minutes)

Objective:
 Introduce simplifying rational expressions through factoring and canceling common
factors.
Materials:
 Whiteboard and markers
 Handouts with examples of rational expressions
 Visual aids (steps for simplifying rational expressions)
 Notebooks and pens
 Practice worksheets
Lesson Plan:
1. Class Routine and Homework Collection (10 minutes)
o Check attendance and collect any homework.
o Briefly discuss the previous lesson (if applicable) and address any questions
or challenges.
2. Introduction to Rational Expressions and Simplification (10 minutes)
o Define rational expressions and explain that simplifying involves reducing
expressions to their simplest form.
o Highlight that simplification requires factoring both the numerator and
denominator to find common factors.
3. Factoring Techniques (20 minutes)
o Review factoring techniques, including factoring quadratics, difference of
squares, and common factors.
o Provide examples on the board and walk through the steps of factoring the
numerator and denominator of rational expressions.
o Emphasize that factoring is crucial before attempting to simplify.
4. Simplifying Rational Expressions (30 minutes)
o Demonstrate how to simplify rational expressions by canceling common
factors after factoring.
o Provide several examples ranging from simple to moderately complex
rational expressions.
o Walk through examples step-by-step, showing how to factor, cancel common
factors, and simplify.
5. Guided Practice (20 minutes)
o Work through additional examples as a class. Encourage students to ask
questions and participate actively.
o Focus on common mistakes, such as canceling terms incorrectly, and how to
avoid them.
6. Independent Practice (10 minutes)
o Distribute practice worksheets with problems on simplifying rational
expressions.
o Allow students to work independently while circulating the room for
guidance.
7. Closing and Homework Assignment (10 minutes)
o Recap the steps for simplifying rational expressions.
o Assign homework: Simplification problems involving rational expressions.
o Announce that the next lesson will introduce the domain of rational
expressions.
Day 2 (50 minutes)
Objective:
 Teach how to find the domain of rational expressions by identifying restrictions on
the variable.
Materials:
 Whiteboard and markers
 Visual aids (steps for finding the domain)
 Homework check sheet
 Notebooks and pens
Lesson Plan:
1. Class Routine and Homework Check (5 minutes)
o Collect and review homework from Day 1.
o Address any common mistakes or difficulties with simplifying rational
expressions.
2. Review of Simplifying Rational Expressions (5 minutes)
o Quickly review key steps for simplifying rational expressions to reinforce
understanding.
o Solve a couple of warm-up problems on simplifying expressions.
3. Introduction to the Domain of Rational Expressions (15 minutes)
o Define the domain as the set of all possible values that the variable can take.
o Explain that in rational expressions, the domain excludes any values that
make the denominator equal to zero (undefined expressions).
o Demonstrate how to find these restrictions by setting the denominator equal
to zero and solving for the variable.
4. Guided Practice (15 minutes)
o Work through examples of finding the domain of various rational expressions.
o Show how to write the domain in interval notation or as an inequality.
o Encourage students to think about why certain values are excluded from the
domain.
5. Independent Practice (5 minutes)
o Assign a few problems where students practice finding the domain of rational
expressions.
o Discuss the answers as a class.
6. Closing and Homework Assignment (5 minutes)
o Assign homework: Problems on determining the domain of rational
expressions.
o Inform students that the next lesson will involve more complex problems and
real-life applications.
Day 3 (100 minutes)
Objective:
 Apply simplifying rational expressions and finding the domain in real-world
scenarios and more complex problems.
Materials:
 Whiteboard and markers
 Practice worksheets (complex problems and real-life applications)
 Visual aids (flowchart for steps in simplifying and finding the domain)
 Notebooks and pens
Lesson Plan:
1. Class Routine and Homework Check (10 minutes)
o Collect and review homework.
o Address any challenges students encountered in finding the domain of
rational expressions.
2. Review of Simplification and Domain (10 minutes)
o Quick review of how to simplify rational expressions and determine their
domain.
o Work through a couple of warm-up problems to ensure students remember
the key concepts.
3. Complex Problems and Real-Life Applications (25 minutes)
o Present more complex problems that involve both simplifying rational
expressions and determining their domain.
o Walk through one real-life example with class participation (e.g., rates,
proportions, or other rational scenarios in physics or business).
o Show the importance of knowing the domain in practical situations.
4. Guided Practice (25 minutes)
o Work through additional real-world problems, asking students to simplify the
rational expressions and find the domain.
o Encourage students to think critically and apply their knowledge.
5. Independent Practice (20 minutes)
o Distribute a set of challenging problems that require both simplification and
domain determination.
o Allow students to work independently while circulating the room for support.
6. Assessment (10 minutes)
o Give a short quiz or a few problems that assess students’ ability to simplify
rational expressions and find their domain.
o Include a mix of simple and complex problems in the quiz.
7. Closing (5 minutes)
o Recap the entire lesson on simplifying rational expressions and determining
the domain.
o Announce any upcoming assessments or review sessions for the next class
(if applicable).