Rational Equations and

Inequalities
Rational Expression
A rational expression can be written in the
form
A
B
Where A and B are polynomials and B≠0.
Rational Expression
Rational expressions are called algebraic
fractions.
The following are rational expressions:
2 2
7 x  x  6 x  7 x  10
, ,
ab x2 x 5
The following are not rational expressions:
1 3
5 x x 2 x 4
2 2
, ,
x x2 x 1
Rational Equation
A rational equation is an equation that
contains one or more rational expressions.
Some examples of rational equations are

2
1 1 4 x 1
 , x   5, 
x 5 x x x 1 x 1
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 your solution.

Examples # 1:
Solve for x.

x 1 x
1.  
5 4 2
1 3 1
2.  
4 x 2
Solution # 1:
x 1 x
  4 x  5 10 x
5 4 2
5 10 x  4 x
 x 1 x
    20 5 6x
 5 4 2 
6 6
x 1 x 5
(20)  (20)  (20) x
5 4 2 6
Check # 1:
x 1 x 1 1 5
   
5 4 2 6 4 12
5 5 23 5

6  1 6 12 12
5 4 2 5 5

5 1 1 5 1 12 12
   
6 5 4 6 2
 Solution # 2:
1 3 1
  x 12  2 x
4 x 2
x  2 x 12
1 3 1
   4x 3 x 12
4 x 2 
3 3
1 3 1 x 4
(4 x)  (4 x)  (4 x)
4 x 2
Check # 2:
1 3 1 1 1
  
4 x 2 4 4
1 3 1
 
4 4 2
1 3 2

4 4
Examples # 2:
Solve each equation.
y 3 4
1. 
y 1 y 1
3( y  3) 3 y 1
2. 2 
y 1 y 1
 Solution # 1:
y 3 4
 y  3 4
y 1 y 1
y 4  3
 y 3 4 
   ( y  1)
y  1 y  1 y 1
y 3 4
( y  1)  ( y  1)
y 1 y 1
Check # 1:
Extraneous Solution
y 3 4
 It is an apparent

y 1 y 1 solution that does

not solve its
1 3 4 equation.

1 1 1 1
4 4
 (undefined )
0 0
Solution # 2:
3( y  3) 3 y 1
2 
y 1 y 1
 3( y  3) 3 y  1
 y  1  2  y  1  ( y  1)
 
3( y  3) 3 y 1
( y  1)  2( y  1)  ( y  1)
y 1 y 1
Solution # 2:
3( y  3)  2( y  1) 3 y  1
3 y  9  2 y  2 3 y  1
3 y  2 y  3 y 1  9  2
2 y  10

2 2
y  5
 Check # 2: 6  14
2 
3( y  3) 3 y 1 4 4
2 
y 1 y 1 3 7
2 
3( 5  3) 3( 5)  1 2 2
2  34 7
 5 1  5 1 
3( 2)  15  1 2 2
2  7 7
4  5 1 
2 2
Examples # 3:
Solve:

4 x 1 12
 3 2
x 1 x 1
 Solution:
4 x 1 12
 3 2
x 1 x 1
4 x 1 12
 3
x 1 ( x  1)( x  1)
 4 x 1 12 
 x  1  3  ( x  1)( x  1)  ( x  1)( x  1)
 
 Solution:
4 x 1 12
( x 1)( x  1)  3( x  1)( x  1)  ( x 1)( x  1)
x 1 ( x  1)( x  1)
(4 x  1)( x  1)  3( x  1)( x  1) 12
2 2
(4 x  4 x  x  1)  3( x  1) 12
2 2
4 x  3 x  1  3 x  3 12
2
x  3 x  2 12
2
x  3 x  2  12 0
Solution:
2
x  3 x  10 0
( x  5)( x  2) 0
x  5 0 x  2 0
x 5 x  2
Solution: (using Quadratic Formula)
2
x  3 x  10 0 (a 1, b  3, c  10)
2
 b  b  4ac
x
2a
2
 ( 3)  ( 3)  4(1)( 10)
x
2(1)
Solution: (using Quadratic Formula)
3  9  40 37 3 7
x x x
2 2 2
3  49 10 4
x x x
2 2 2
3 7 x 5 x  2
x
2
Try This:
Solve each equation and check your solution.

y 2 1
1.  
9 5 3
3 4 10
2.  
x 3x 3
x x 3 x
3.   2
x 2 x2 x  4
 Solution # 1:
y 2 1 5 y  18 15
 
9 5 3 5 y 15  18
 y 2 1 5 y 33
    45 
 9 5 3 5 5
y 2 1 33
(45)  (45)  (45) y
9 5 3 5
Check # 1: 11 2 1
33  
15 5 3
5  2 1
11  6 1
9 5 3 
15 3
33 1 2 1
   5 1
5 9 5 3 
15 3
33 2 1
  1 1
45 5 3 
3 3
 Solution # 2:
3 4 10 9 4  10 x
 
x 3x 3 10 x 4  9
 3 4 10  10 x  5
   3x 
 x 3x 3  10 10
3 4 10 1
(3 x)  (3 x)  (3 x) x 
x 3x 3 2
  2  10
Check # 2:  6 4   
 3 3
3 4 10 8 10
   6  
1  1 3 3 3
 3  
2  2  8  10
 6
 2 4 10 3
3      18
 1  3 3  6
3
2  6  6
Solution # 3:
x x 3 x
  2
x 2 x2 x  4
x x 3 x
 
x  2 x  2 ( x  2)( x  2)
 x x 3 x 
 x  2  x  2  ( x  2)( x  2)  ( x  2)( x  2)
 
 Solution # 3:
x x 3 x
( x  2)( x  2)  ( x  2)( x  2)  ( x  2)( x  2)
x 2 x2 ( x  2)( x  2)
x( x  2) ( x  3)( x  2)  x 2x  6
2 2 
x  2 x ( x  2 x  3 x  6)  x 2 2
2 2
x  2 x x  2 x  3x  6  x x  3
2 2
x  2 x  x  2 x  3 x  x  6
 Check # 3:
x x 3 x 3 3
  2 0 
x 2 x2 x  4 5 5
3  33 3 3  3
  2    
 3  2  3  2 ( 3)  4 5  5
3 0 3 3 3
  
 5  1 9 4 5 5
Rational inequality
A rational inequality is composed of rational
expressions combined with a ≤, ≥, <, or >
sign.
Some examples of rational inequalities are
1 x2
7, 0
x x 3
1 2 5
 2  1, 2 0
2 x 1 x  4x  5
Solving Rational Inequality
1. Write the inequality with a single rational
expression on the left-hand of the inequality
and zero on the right-hand side of the
inequality.
2. Determine the meaningful numbers by
setting the numerator equal to zero and
setting the denominator equal to zero.
3. Use the meaningful numbers to separate the
number line into intervals.
Solving Rational Inequality
4. Test 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 part of the solution.
- Get the values in each interval and
substitute these 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
Solving Rational Inequality
5. Express the answer in interval notation.
- The “( )” indicates that the number is
excluded.
- The “[ ]” indicates that the number is
included.
Examples:
Solve:

x2
1. 0
x 3
2x  5
2. 3
x 5
Solution # 1:
Step 1: Already done.

x2
0
x 3
Solution # 1:
Step 2: Get the meaningful numbers. Set both
the numerator and the denominator
equal to zero. Then, solve. Test the
meaningful numbers.

x  2 0
Numerator:  2Test
 2-2:
x  2 0
2 3
0 0
True. Thus -2 is a solution
Solution # 1:
Step 2: Get the meaningful numbers. Set both
the numerator and the denominator
equal to zero. Then, solve. Test the
meaningful numbers.

x  3 0
Denominator: 3
Test -2: 2
x 3 0
3 3
6
0
0
False. Thus 3 is not a
solution
Solution # 1:
Step 3: Separate the number line into intervals
using numbers found in Step 2.

A B C

-2 3
Solution # 1:
Step 4: Get the test values for A, B, and C.

For A, test -3:

x2
0
x 3
 32
0
 3 3
1 False.
0
6 Thus, interval A is not a
solution.
Solution # 1:
Step 4: Get the test values for A, B, and C.

For B, test 1:
x2
0
x 3
1 2
0
1 3
3 True.
 0
2 Thus, interval B is a solution.
Solution # 1:
Step 4: Get the test values for A, B, and C.

For B, test 1:
x2
0
x 3
1 2
0
1 3
3 True.
 0
2 Thus, interval B is a solution.
Solution # 1:
Step 4: Get the test values for A, B, and C.

For C, test 4:
x2
0
x 3
42
0
4 3
6 0 False.
Thus, interval C is not a
solution.
Solution # 1:
Step 5: Answer in interval notation.

A B C

-2 3
Interval notation:

[ 2,3)
Solution # 2:
Step 1: Write the inequality with a single
rational expression on the left-hand side
of the inequality and zero on the right-
 5 side of the inequality.
2 xhand 2 x  5  3 x  15
3 0
x 5 x 5
2x  5  x  10
 3 0 0
x 5 x 5
2 x  5  3( x  5)
0
x 5
Solution # 2:
Step 2: Get the meaningful numbers. Set both
the numerator and the denominator
equal to zero. Then, solve. Test the
meaningful numbers.

 x  10
Numerator: 0 )  10:
2(10Test 5
 x  10 3
x 10 10  5
3 3
True. Thus -2 is a solution
Solution # 2:
Step 2: Get the meaningful numbers. Set both
the numerator and the denominator
equal to zero. Then, solve. Test the
meaningful numbers.

x  5 0
Denominator: Test )
2(5-2: 5
x 5 0
5 3
5
0
0
False. Thus 3 is not a
solution
Solution # 2:
Step 3: Separate the number line into intervals
using numbers found in Step 2.

A B C

5 1
0
Solution # 2:
Step 4: Get the test values for A, B, and C.

For A, test 3:
2x  5
3
x 5
2(3)  5
3
3 5
1
 0 True.
2 Thus, interval A is a solution.
Solution # 2:
Step 4: Get the test values for A, B, and C.

For B, test 7:
2x  5
3
x 5
2( 7 )  5
3
7 5
9
3 False.
2 Thus, interval B is not a
solution.
 Solution # 2:
Step 4: Get the test values for A, B, and C.

For C, test 12:

2x  5
3
x 5
2(12)  5
3
12  5
19
3 True.
7 Thus, interval C is a solution.
Solution # 2:
Step 5: Answer in interval notation.

A B C

5 1
Interval notation:
0

( ,5)  [10,)

Examples:
Solve:

1
1.  2
x
x  12
2. 2
x2
Solution # 1:
Step 1: Write the inequality with a single
rational expression on the left-hand side
of the inequality and zero on the right-
hand side 1of the inequality.
2
x
1
 20
x
1 2x
0
x
Solution # 1:
Step 2: Get the meaningful numbers. Set both
the numerator and the denominator
equal to zero. Then, solve. Test the
meaningful numbers.

1  2 x 0
Numerator: 1Test 10:
 2x 1 2
 1
 2  2 2 22
x 1 False. Thus 1/2 is not a
2 solution
Solution # 1:
Step 2: Get the meaningful numbers. Set both
the numerator and the denominator
equal to zero. Then, solve. Test the
meaningful numbers.

x 0
Denominator: Test -2:
1
2
0
False. Thus 0 is not a
solution
Solution # 1:
Step 3: Separate the number line into intervals
using numbers found in Step 2.

A B C

0 1/2
Solution # 1:
Step 4: Get the test values for A, B, and C.

For A, test -1:

1
2
x
1
2
 1
 1 2 False.
Thus, interval A is not a
solution.
Solution # 1:
Step 4: Get the test values for A, B, and C.

For B, test 1/4:

1
2
x
1
2
1
4
42 True.
Thus, interval B is a solution.
Solution # 1:
Step 4: Get the test values for A, B, and C.

For C, test 1:
1
2
x
1
2
1
1 2 False.
Thus, interval C is not a
solution.
Solution # 1:
Step 5: Answer in interval notation.

A B C

0 1/2
Interval notation:

(0,1 / 2)
Solution # 2:
Step 1: Write the inequality with a single
rational expression on the left-hand side
of the inequality and zero on the right-
x hand
12 side of the inequality.
x  12  2 x  4
2 0
x2 x2
x  12  x 8
 2 0 0
x2 x2
x  12  2( x  2)
0
x2
Solution # 2:
Step 2: Get the meaningful numbers. Set both
the numerator and the denominator
equal to zero. Then, solve. Test the
meaningful numbers.

 x 8
Numerator:0 8 1210:
Test
 x  8 2
 82
1 1 2 2
x 8 True. Thus, 8 is a solution
Solution # 2:
Step 2: Get the meaningful numbers. Set both
the numerator and the denominator
equal to zero. Then, solve. Test the
meaningful numbers.

x  2 0
Denominator:  2-2:
Test  12
x  2 2
 22
10
2
False. Thus, -2 0
is not a
solution
Solution # 2:
Step 3: Separate the number line into intervals
using numbers found in Step 2.

A B C

-2 8
Solution # 2:
Step 4: Get the test values for A, B, and C.

For A, test -3:

x  12
2
x2
 3  12
2
 32
 9 2 False.
Thus, interval A is not a
solution.
Solution # 2:
Step 4: Get the test values for A, B, and C.

For B, test -1:

x  12
2
x2
 1  12
2
 1 2
11 2 True.
Thus, interval B is a solution.
Solution # 2:
Step 4: Get the test values for A, B, and C.

For C, test 10:

x  12
2
x2
10  12
2
10  2
11
2 False.
6 Thus, interval C is a solution.
Solution # 2:
Step 5: Answer in interval notation.

A B C

-2 8
Interval notation:

( 2,8]
Seatwork: 1 whole yellow paper
Solve each equation Solve each inequality.
and check the Complete the steps.
x
solution. x 1
1. 15  1.  4
5 3 x
1 x 3 2x  5
2.  2. 3
5 x2 x 5
5 3 2x
3.   2
x2 x 2 4 x