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Week 10 Lecture Notes M9 Fall 2011

This document provides steps for solving rational equations by eliminating fractions. It begins by noting that to solve rational equations, one can multiply both sides of the equation by the lowest common denominator (LCD) of the fractions, as long as this does not make any terms undefined. Several examples are worked through, showing how to identify undefined values, find the LCD, and then isolate the variable. Students are then given practice problems to solve rational equations for a specific variable by multiplying both sides by the LCD.

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Far-east Sam
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4K views

Week 10 Lecture Notes M9 Fall 2011

This document provides steps for solving rational equations by eliminating fractions. It begins by noting that to solve rational equations, one can multiply both sides of the equation by the lowest common denominator (LCD) of the fractions, as long as this does not make any terms undefined. Several examples are worked through, showing how to identify undefined values, find the LCD, and then isolate the variable. Students are then given practice problems to solve rational equations for a specific variable by multiplying both sides by the LCD.

Uploaded by

Far-east Sam
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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7.

4 Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions (part 2)

Math 9

To add or subtract rational expressions (fractions) WITHOUT the same denominators Step 1. First FIND the common denominator. Find the LCD (least common denominator) by: a. Factoring the denominators b. The LCD will include the most of any one factor common to the denominators. (These can be just numbers) c. Also include all the other left over factors from the denominators in the LCD. (These can be just numbers) d. Multiply the factors from (b) and (c) together to form the LCD. Step 2. Make equivalent fractions having the LCD as the denominator by multiplying both numerator and denominator of each fraction by the missing LCD factors. Step 3. Multiply any factors in the numerators. Step 4. Combine the numerators and combine like terms. Step 5. Reduce the fraction if possible. Lets work on finding LCDs first. When we have just numbers, we look at the common factors. For instance, find the LCD of 32 and 48. We can factor 32 into prime factors of We can factor 48 into prime factors of Using our rule for finding the LCD, we will need the most of any one factor and any left over factors. So, our LCD will be
1

Find the LCD of: 18 and 30

Now lets try with some rational expressions. Find the LCD of 2 x + 3 The common factor is: The other factors are: So, the LCD is: Remember to find the LCD: include the most of any common factor include also all the leftover factors multiply them together to get the LCD Now you try. Find just the LCD of the following sets of denominators. 1.

and

x +3 x 2

)(

a b + 6x 2 9x 4

2.

7 5 + 2 8y 6y 3

3.

a b + 2a 4 4 a2

4.

x+7 x3 + x+3 x+7

5.

a b + 2 x 2 9x + 8 x 6x 16

Now back to adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators. Example 1: Step 1.

y +7 7 + = 6y 3 75y

Lets look at finding the LCD:

notice that 6 = 3 2 and 75 = 3 25 and y3 = y y y To find the LCD: include the most of any common factor (3 and y3) include also all the leftover factors (2 and 25) multiply them together to get the LCD (150y3) Often we multiply the factors but leave them in factored form to make it easier to make the equivalent fractions.
3

Step 2. and Step 3.

Make equivalent fractions (ie. fractions with same denominators) Multiply any factors in numerators.

y +7 7 + 6y 3 75y

LCD is 150y3

Notice what factors are missing from the LCD in each fraction and multiply numerator AND denominator by those factors.

y +7 6y 3

and

7 75y

Step 4.

Combine like terms in the numerator AFTER distributing any negative signs.

y +7 7 + = 6y 3 75y

Step 5.

Reduce the fraction if possible.

This one does not reduce!

Example 2:

x x2 7x + 7 5x + 5
and 5x + 5 =

Step 1.

First factor all denominators: 7x + 7 =

Take the most of any 1 factor: Take all other factors: LCD is
4

Step 2.

x x2 7x + 7 5x + 5

LCD:

x 7 x +1 x2 5 x +1
Step 3.

( (

) )

x x2 = 7x + 7 5x + 5 =

Step 4 and 5.

Example 3:

6 x 15x + 2 x 2 + 8x + 16 x 16

Step 1. Factor the denominators:

x 2 + 8x + 16 = x 2 16 =

LCD is Step 2.

6 x 15x + 2 x 2 + 8x + 16 x 16

6 x

15x

Step 3.

6 x 15x + 2 = x 2 + 8x + 16 x 16 = =

Now you try. 1.

m 2 2 = m2 + 5m + 6 m + 3m + 2

2.

4B +B = A5

3.

x x 2 = 5 x x 25

7.5

Complex Fractions

Math 9

Remember dividing fractions from arithmetic:

2 4 3 5

change the to and use the reciprocal of the second term

2 5 = 3 4

2 3 Now this same problem could be written as. 4 5


It is the same problem but now its called a complex fractiona fraction of fractions. To simplify complex fractions 1. Make sure there is only one term in the numerator and one in the denominator. 2. Then convert the problem to a 5th grade style fraction problem and simplify it by multiplying by the reciprocal.

Example 1:

5x 2 3 2x 3 9
Step 2:

Step 1: This is already in the correct form

5x 2 2x 3 5x 2 9 = 3 3 9 3 2x
=

Example 2:

1 1 2 x x 1 + 3 5

Step 1.

Here we do not have single terms so work with numerator first and then denominator to get single terms.

1 1 1 = 2 x 2 = x 1 x + = 3 5 3 =

1 x

1 5

Now the problem looks like

x2 2x 5x + 3 15

Step 2. Now write the problem in arithmetic style and solve.

x 2 5x + 3 x 2 15 = 2x 15 2x 5x + 3 =

Example 3:

6 + y x 6 y + x

Step 1.

6 6 y + y= + x x 1 6 6 x + x = + y y 1
Step 2.

6 + xy x 6 + xy y
Now you try some

6 + xy 6 + xy = x y

1.

9m 27 m6 = 2m 6 m8

2.

x x + 2 x x + 2 + x

10

7.6

Solving Rational Equations

Math 9

When we are given an equation involving fractions, we can eliminate the fractions by multiplying both sides of the equation by the LCD. NOTE: NOTE: This ONLY works for equations! We still have to watch for undefined values of the variable!

Example 1:

2 1 5 + = x 4 2x

for what values of x is this undefined?

What is the LCD of these fractions?

Example 2:

12 =4 y

Note: y _____

11

Example 3:

11x 55 = 6+ x5 x5

note: x ______

Solving equations for a specific variable: Example 1:

C=

AD A + 12

solve for D

Multiplying both sides of the equation by (A + 12) yields:

Divide both sides by A to get:

Example 2:

C=

AD A + 12

this time solve for A

Multiply both sides by (A + 12) Distribute the C Get the As on one side of the equation and factor

12

Example 3:

Solve

5 5 4= x y

for x.

LCD is _______ so multiply both sides by that

Example 4:

Solve

1 +5 = a+7 x

for x.

First subtract 5 from both sides

13

Now you try some: 1. Solve for w:

1 2 1 + =0 8 w 12

2.

Solve for x:

4+

15 = 3x x

3.

Solve for y:

y2 1 +2= y +1 y +1

14

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