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Rational Expressions

A rational expression is a ratio of two polynomials where the denominator is not equal to zero. It can be written as P/Q, where P and Q are polynomials and Q ≠ 0. Rational expressions allow representing ratios that involve variables, such as the ratio of two people's ages in different years. To manipulate rational expressions, like adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing them, they are treated similarly to rational numbers by factoring and canceling common factors when possible.

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260 views17 pages

Rational Expressions

A rational expression is a ratio of two polynomials where the denominator is not equal to zero. It can be written as P/Q, where P and Q are polynomials and Q ≠ 0. Rational expressions allow representing ratios that involve variables, such as the ratio of two people's ages in different years. To manipulate rational expressions, like adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing them, they are treated similarly to rational numbers by factoring and canceling common factors when possible.

Uploaded by

Kaye Alcisto
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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RATIONAL

ALGEBRAIC
EXPRESSION
A ratio of two polynomials
with a denominator not
equal to zero.

RATIONAL EXPRESSION
* 
Can be written in the form ,
where P and Q are
polynomials and Q ≠ 0
(should not be equal to
zero).
RATIONAL EXPRESSION
EXAMPLE
Mr. Sangulingan is 40 years
old, while his son is 15 years
old. In five years, what will be
the ratio of Mr. Sangulingan’s
age to his son’s age? How about
the ratio of their ages in x
years? Or in n years?
SOLUTONS
*In  the problem, the ratio of Mr. Bernardo’s
age and his son’s age in 5 years can be
expressed as = or .

The number , which is the ratio of two


integers, is called RATIONAL NUMBER.
SOLUTONS
* 
The ratio of their ages in x
years is and the ratio of their
ages in n years ago is . These
two ratios are called
RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS.
Examples of Rational
Expressions
1.
* 
4. -

2. 5.

3. .
* 

1. A rational expression is
defined for all real numbers
except -3 since it will make x
+ 3 equal to zero.
*2  . The expression for all values of x for
which .
Solving for x in - 4 = 0, we have

4=0
=4
x = ± 2.
Therefore, is defined for all real numbers
except 2 and -2.
ADDING AND SUBTRACTING
RATIONAL EXPRESSION
*Recall
  reducing a fraction in its LOWEST
TERMS, by dividing BOTH the NUMERATOR
and the DENOMINTOR by their GREATEST
COMMON FCTOR (GCF). Therefore we factor
both the NUMERATOR and DENOMINATOR of
the fraction and then we can CANCEL the
COMMON FACTORS.
Example:
Simplify , we write it as = =
SIMPLIFYING RATIONAL EXPRESSION
*1.  ?
STEPS
Step I:
Factor both the NUMERATOR and the DENOMINATOR.
=

Step II:
CANCEL the COMMON FACTOR (x – 1)
Therefore =
EVALUATE THE FOLLOWING
*1.
  = You CAN cancel the common factor

2. You CANNOT cancel the common


term 2, its not a common factor.

3. = You CAN cancel the common factor x.

4. You CANNOT cancel the common term


x, it is not a common factor.
MULTIPLYING AND DIVIDING
RATIONAL EXPRESSION
To obtain the product of two or more
rational expressions, we get the
product of the numerators as well as
the product of the denominators of
the given expressions.

NOTE: Always express your FINAL


ANSWER in LOWEST TERMS!
EXAMPLES IN MULTIPLYING
*1.
  . = = =
2. . = .
= a + 2b

CANCEL those in RED COLOR.


IMPORTANT NOTE
* 
Rational expressions are
multiplied in a similar manner
as multiplying rational numbers.
If and are rational expressions,
then . =
DIVIDING RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS

In dividing rational expressions, we


multiply the DIVIDEND by the
reciprocal of the DIVISOR.
First Step: Get the RECIPROCAL of
the DIVISOR
Second Step: Change the operation
DIVISION to MULTIPLICATION.
EXAMPLES IN DIVIDING
* 
÷
= X
= X
=

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