6:45

Representation of Functions
•1. Distinguish rational function,
rational equation, and rational
inequality
•2. Solve rational equations and
inequalities.
• 
Definition: A rational expression is an expression that
can be written as a ratio of two polynomials

Rational Expression  
Some examples of rational expressions are , , and .
The comparison of rational equations, inequalities,
and functions are shown below.
  Rational Rational Rational Function
Equation Inequality

Definition An equation An Inequality A function of the form f(x) = 𝑝(𝑥) 𝑞(𝑥) where p(x) and
involving involving q(x) are polynomial functions and q(x) is not the zero
rational rational function
expressions. expression
 
   
 
Example + = 15  6x + 4 ≥ 8 F(x) =
Example 6x + 4 ≥ 8
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.
To help you distinguish the difference between the Rational
Function, Rational Equation, and Rational Inequality, observe
their examples below:

•1. = 2a + 4 = Rational Equation

2. 2x+3 < 123 = Rational Inequality
3. f(x) = 10x+2 = Rational Function
4. = 𝑥 − 5 = None of these (because
the expression is Irrational)
It can be observed that the expression used in
Rational Equation is basically the ratio involving
rational expressions while Rational Function is
the quotient of two polynomials using the f(x) to
express the function.
The Rational Inequality is just simply as the
Rational Equation but it uses > ,<, ≥, ≤ to express
the inequality. Irrational Number is also a number
which we cannot express as the ratio of two
integer.
Activity 1
In this activity, you will be able to determine the corresponding expression given the
mathematical expressions at the left. Write your answer on the space provided before each number

Verbal Expression Mathematical Expression

_____D____1. the quotient of 2x and 3y  A.
_____F____2. the quotient of 4a + b and 2a – 5b B.
_____A____3. the fraction whose denominator is 7 more than C.
D.
the numerator n.
E.
____ G____4. the average speed in x2 + 5 kilometers travelled
F.
in x – 3 hours
G.
_____B____5. the number of hours spend travelling x2 + 3x + 2
H.
kilometers at an average speed of x – 1
kilometers per hour
ACTIVITY 2
Identify whether the given mathematical statement is a Rational Function, Rational
Equation, Rational Inequality or None of these.

 • A.
  Rational Function C. Rational Inequality
B. Rational Equation D. None of these
  
 
1. = 2𝑥2 − 1 6. =
2. 4 = 7. = 8

3. 1 = 3x2 – 2x 8. 0.05 = 2x+3

 
4. = 9. =
5. ≤ 10. g(x) = 15x3 + x2– 5x +1
Solving Rational Equations and
Inequalities
Lesson 1 – Solving Rational Equation
Lesson 2 – Solving Rational Inequalities
•Definition:
 
A rational expression is an expression that can be
written as a ratio of two polynomials.
Some examples of rational expressions are , and .
 
Rational Equation Rational Inequality

Definition An equation involving An inequality involving rational

rational expression expressions

Symbols = >,<,≥,≤,≠

Examples + =1 <
= x2 >
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.

To solve a rational equation:

A. Eliminate denominators by multiplying each term
of the equation by the least common denominator.
B. Note that eliminating denominators may introduce
extraneous solutions. Check the solutions of the
transformed equations with the original equation.
 
 
•Example
  1. Solve for the value of x : + =
Solution:
20 ( + ) = 20 ( ) Multiply both sides by the LCD, 20.
4𝑥 + 5 = 10𝑥 Apply the Distributive Property and then simplify.
5 = 6𝑥 Subtract 4x from both sides.
=𝑥 Divide both sides by 6.
Check: + = ≟
( )( )+ =( )( ) =
+ = So, is the solution.
•Example
  2. Solve for the value of x: − =
Solution:
10𝑥 ( ) − 10𝑥 ( ) = 10𝑥 ( ) Multiply both sides by the LCD, 10𝑥.
20 − 15 = 2𝑥 Apply the Distributive Property and then simplify.

5 = 2𝑥 Simplify; subtract 15 from 20

=𝑥 Divide both sides by 2
Check: − = − ≟
( )( )−( )( )= =
So, is the solution.
• 
Example 3. Solve for the value of x: − =
Solution: Factor each denominator in the rational expression.
− =
Multiply the LCD to both sides of the equation to remove the denominators.
[(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 2)] ( ) − ( 1 (𝑥 − 2) ) = [(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 2)] ( )
(𝑥 − 2) − (𝑥 + 2) = 8
𝑥2 − 3𝑥 − 10 = 0
Upon reaching this step, we can use strategies for solving polynomial equations.
𝑥2 − 3𝑥 − 10 = 0 → (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 5) = 0
(𝑥 + 2) = 0 or (𝑥 − 5) = 0
𝑥 = −2 or 𝑥=5
Check: For 𝑥 = −2 For 𝑥 = 5:
− ≟ − ≟
− − ≟
− ≟
≟ =
Since 𝑥 = −2 makes the original equation undefined, x = 5 is the only solution.
•Example
  4. Solve the equation = .
Solution:
(𝑥 − 1) = (𝑥 − 1) Multiply both sides by the LCD, 𝑥 − 1
𝑥+3=4 Simplify
𝑥=1 Subtract 3 from both sides
Check: =
= Division by 0 is undefined.
Because zeros appear in the denominators, the fractions are undefined.
Thus, 1 is a false solution, and the equation has no solution. Such false
solutions are often called extraneous solutions.
 

To solve rational inequalities:

a.Rewrite the inequality as a single rational expression on one side of the
inequality symbol and 0 on the other side.
(b) Determine over what intervals the rational expression takes on positive and
negative values.
i. Locate the x values for which the rational expression is zero or undefined
(factoring the numerator and denominator is a useful strategy).
ii. Mark the numbers found in (i) 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.
iii. Select a test point within the interior of each interval in (ii). The sign of the
rational expression at this point is also the sign of the rational expression at each
interior point in the aforementioned interval.
iv. Summarize the intervals containing the solutions.
 
 
 
 
 
 
•Example
  1:
Solve the inequality ≥ 1.
Solution:
(a) Rewrite the inequality as a single rational expression.
−1≥0 ≥0 ≥0
(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).

-1 +1
(c) Choose the convenient test points in the intervals determined by -1 and 1 to
determine the sign of 𝑥−1 𝑥+1 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=2
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 {𝑥 ∈ 𝑅| 𝑥 <
−1 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 ≥ 1}. Plot this set on the number line.

-1 0 +1
 
•Example
  2.
Solve the inequality < .
Solution:
a. Rewrite the inequality with zero on one side.
− <0 <0 <0 <0
b. The rational expression will be zero for x = -1 and undefined for 0 and
2. Plot these points on a number line. Use hollow circles since these
values are not part of the solution.

-1 0 +2
 
c,. Construct a table of signs to determine the sign of the function in each interval
determined by -1, 0 and 2.

Interval 𝑥 < −1 −1 < 𝑥 < 1 0<𝑥<2 𝑥>2

Test 𝑥 = −2 𝑥= 𝑥=1 𝑥=3
Point
2(𝑥
2(𝑥 ++ 1)
1) -- ++ ++ ++
𝑥𝑥 -- -- ++ ++
𝑥𝑥 −− 22 -- -- -- ++
-- ++ -- ++
(d) Summarize the intervals satisfying the inequality. The solution set of
the inequality is the set {𝑥 ∈ 𝑅| 𝑥 < −1 𝑜𝑟 0 < 𝑥 < 2}. Plot this set on the
number line.

-1 0 +2
Activity 1
Complete the table of signs to determine the sign of the function ≥ in each
 interval.
Interval 𝑥<− − < 𝑥 < −1 −1 < 𝑥 < 𝑥>

Test Point 𝑥 = −3 𝑥 = −2 𝑥=0 𝑥=1

2𝑥 + 5        

𝑥+1        

2𝑥 – 1        

       
ACTIVITY 2
Solve the following rational equations and inequalities below.
1. = 2. < 4

Solution: Solution: