2.

5 DIVISION OF RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS

Learning Objectives:

 Explain the meaning of the word

“reciprocal”
 Divide rational expressions

To divide rational expressions, multiply the first expression (dividend) by the reciprocal of the
second expression (divisor).

Division of rational expression is defined as

a c a d ad
÷ = • = , where b ≠ 0, c ≠ 0, and d ≠ 0.
b d b c bc

Example

Find the quotient in the simplest form.

3 5
1. ÷ 2
12 x 6 x

dividend divisor

3
2 Multiply by the reciprocal of
3 6x 12 x
= •
12 x 5
which is
6 x2
5
Note: Reciprocal means invert the divisor. The numerator becomes the denominator and the denominator
becomes the numerator. If the expression has no denominator, it is understood that the
denominator is 1.

3 6•x•x Factor numerator and denominator in such a way that you can
= • cancel out common factors.
6 •2• x 5
Multiply the remaining factor and this is the quotient in the simplest
3x form.
=
10

a2−6 a+8 a2−2 a a2−6 a+8

2. ÷ Multiply by the reciprocal of
b2 b b2
a2−6 a+8 b b
= 2
÷ 2 which is
b a −2 a 2
a −2 a
( a−4 )( a−2) b Factor and cancel out common factors.
= 2
•
b a (a−2)
The quotient in the simplest form.
a−4
=
ab

1
 5 x 2−20 2−x
3. Divide ÷ 2
c+2 d c −4 d 2

5 x 2−20 c 2−4 d 2 Invert the divisor and multiply.

= ÷
c+2 d 2−x
Factor numerator and denominator and cancel
5 ( x +2 ) ( x−2) ( c +2 d ) (c−2 d )
= • out common factors.
c +2 d −( x−2)

5 ( x +2 ) (c−2 d)
=
−1
The quotient in the simplest form.
= -5(x + 2)(c – 2d)

4. Divide and simplify.

2 x+ 6 x 2−x−12
÷
x2 +3 x−10 x 2−4

2 x+6 x 2−4 Invert the divisor and multiply.

¿ ÷
x 2 +3 x−10 x 2−x−12

2(x+3) ( x+ 2 ) (x−2) Factor and cancel out common factors.

¿ •
( x +5 )(x −2) ( x−4 )(x +3)
The quotient
2(x +2)
¿
( x +5 )( x −4)

2x+4
The quotient in product form, 2 is the same as the quotient in factored form;
x + x−20
2( x +2)
. Write the quotient in factored form to be sure that the quotient is in simplest form.
( x+5 )( x−4)

ACTIVITY 1

A. Find the quotient in the simplest form.

12mn 2 6 m2 n b 2−1 b 2+ b−2

1. ÷ 4. ÷
4m 13 2b−6 3 b−9

y−8 2 y−16 y 2+3 y −10 y+5

2. ÷ 5. ÷
y−2 5y y 2−10 y+ 21 y −7

2
 x−1 1−x
3. ÷
8 4

2.6 COMPLEX RATIONAL EQUATIONS

Learning Objectives:

 Define complex rational

expressions
 Illustrate the two methods of
simplifying complex rational
expressions

Complex rational expressions is an expression in which the numerator or denominator or both contain
one or more fractions.

Examples of complex rational expressions.

x− y
Complex rational expressions represent quotients.
2x x−y x+ y
1. ¿ ÷
x+ y 2x x
x

3
+5
a 3 1
2.
4−
1 a ( )( )
¿ +5 ÷ 4−
a
a

x 2 +5 x+6
x +3 x 2 +5 x+ 6 2
3. ¿ ÷
2 x+ 3 2 x +6
2 x +6

There are two ways of simplifying complex rational expressions.

1. By writing the numerator as one fraction and the denominator as one fraction. Then
multiply the numerator by the reciprocal of the denominator.
2. By multiplying the numerator and denominator of the complex rational expressions by
the LCD of the numerator and denominator, then simplify.

Example 1

x− y
2x
Simplify
x+ y
3x

3
 Since the numerator and denominator are one
x−y x+ y
Method 1 ¿ ÷ fraction, proceed to multiplying the numerator by the
2x 3x reciprocal of the denominator.

x−y 3 x
¿ ÷
2x x+ y
Cancel out common factors and simplify
x−y 3•x
¿ •
2• x x+ y

3( x− y )
¿
2(x + y)

x− y LCD is 6x. Multiply LCD, 6x, to both numerator and

( 6 x)
2x denominator. Cancel out common factors.
Method 2
x+ y
(6 x )
3x

3( x− y ) Rational expression in the simplest form.

¿
2(x + y)

Example 2

m
2−
n
Simplify
m
−1
n

2 n−m Numerator as one fraction.

n
Method 1 ¿ Denominator as one fraction.
m−n
n Multiply the numerator by the reciprocal of
denominator, then cancel out the common factors.
2n−m n
¿ •
n m−n

3 n−m
¿ Rational expression in the simplest form.
m−n

m
2−
n
Method 2 ¿ Denominator as one fraction.
m
−1
n Multiply both numerator and denominator by LCD
(n)

(¿ 2− mn ) ( n) • n
m m−n
(n )
−1 ( n )

4
 2n−m
¿ Simplify
m−n

Example 3

a b a2−b 2 Perform the indicated operations in the

−
b a ab numerator and denominator.
Simplify = 2
a b a +2 ab+ b2
+2+
b a ab

a2−b 2 ab Multiply the numerator by the reciprocal of the

Method 1 ¿ • 2
ab a +2 ab+b 2 denominator.

( a−b ) ( a+b ) ab Factor and cancel out common factors.

¿ •
ab ( a+b ) ( a+b )

a−b
¿
a+b

a b
−
b a
Method 2 ¿
a b
+2+
b a

a b
¿
( b a)
− ab Multiply the numerator and denominator by the LCD (ab)

( ab +2+ ba ) ab
a2 −b2
¿ 2 2
a +2 ab+b

( a−b ) ( a+b ) Factor

¿
( a+b )( a+ b )

a−b Simplify
¿
a+b

ACTIVITY 1

A. Simplify the following complex rational expressions to the lowest term.

a2 1
1−
b2 x+1
1. = 4.
x−1
=
a 1+
b x

x 9y
4+ y−
x +4 3
2.
x
= 5.
4 3 =
3+ 1− + 2
x+ 4 y y

5
 3x 2 y
−
4 3
3.
5x x
=
+
3 4

Chapter 3

Linear Equations in Two Variables

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Concepts and principles involving linear equations in two variables are used to solve real-life problems in
different fields such as geometry, physics, economics, and engineering. Moreover, the concept of lines
and slopes are not confined in the context of mathematics. As a matter of fact, it has influenced the
construction and design of infrastructures like houses, buildings, roads, and bridges. More so, nature’s
tremendous beauty is made more evident through lines and slopes.

This chapter will focus on the key concepts of linear equations in two variables. Different
strategies in solving problems relating to linear equations in two variables will also be explored.
Furthermore, in this chapter, the learners will investigate the properties of lines in a Cartesian Coordinate
System.

Lesson 3.1 The Cartesian Coordinate System

The Cartesian Coordinate System, also called Rectangular Coordinate System or the xy-
Coordinate System, it was named after its inventor Rene Descartes (1956-1650), a French philosopher,
scientist, and a mathematician.

In the Cartesian Coordinate System illustrated above,

a. two perpendicular number lines intersect at their zero points;

b. the horizontal number line is called the x-axis;

c. the vertical number line is called the y-axis;

d. the point of intersection of the two number lines is called the origin;

e. the axes divide the plane into four parts called quadrants. These quadrants are named I, II, III,
IV, starting from the upper right part going to a counterclockwise direction.

f. every point corresponds to a unique ordered pair of a real numbers called coordinates.

g. the location of a point is determined by its coordinates. The coordinates of a point have two
parts; the x-coordinates or abscissa and the y-coordinate or ordinate. The x-coordinate describes the
point’s distance from y-axis and the y-coordinate describes the point’s distance from the x-axis;

h. point A is located in Quadrant I and itscoordinates are (5,2), the x-coordinate is 5 and the y-
coordinate is 2; and

i. to plot point A, determine the location of 5 on the x-axis and then move 2 units upward.

Example1:

Identify the coordinates of each point

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Solutions:

The coordinates of each point is determined by the intersection of the horizontal line drawn where
the x-coordinate is located and the vertical line drawn where y-coordinate is located. For example, the
lines x=5 and y=1 are drawn and their intersection is point B. Hence, the coordinates of point B are (5,1).
The horizontal and vertical lines for each point are show

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The coordinates of each point are as follows:

a. A (2,0) f. (4,-4)

b. B (5,1) g. (-4,-2)

c. C (1,5) h. (5,-2)

d. D (-1,1) i. (0,0)

e. E (1,-2) j. (0,-5)

Example 2:

Without plotting, determine the quadrant or axis where each point lies.

a. Z (-3,2) f. U (0,0)

b. Y (15,12) g. T (4,12)

c. X (-1,-10) h. S (-18,-2)

d. W (0,9) i. R (-10,10)

e. V (2,0) j. Q (20, -3)

Solution:

The table summarizes the location of a point on the Cartesian plane.

Coordinates Location
(x,0) positive x-axis
(-x,0) negative x-axis
(0,y) positive x-axis
(0,-y) negative x-axis
(x,y) quadrant I
(-x,y) quadrant II
(-x,-y) quadrant III
(x,-y) quadrant IV

a. quadrant II f. origin

b. quadrant I g. quadrant I

c. quadrant III h. quadrant III

d. positive y-axis i. quadrant II

e. positive x-axis j. quadrant IV

Example 3:

Plot the following point.

M (-3,2) I (2,0) F (4,6)

A (5,7) S (0,0) U (-4,-2)

T (-1,-4) N (-1,5)

9
H (0,5)

Solution:

To plot point M, determine the location of -3 along the x-axis and then move 2 units upward.

The other points are plotted on the Cartesian Coordinate system below.

10
Activity 1

A. Find the coordinates of each point. Refer to the Cartesian plane below.

11
1. K 6. P

2. L 7. Q

3. M 8. R

4. N 9. S

5. O 10. T

B. Without plotting, identify the quadrant or axis where the point lies.

_____________1. A (2,0) _____________6. F (0,0)

_____________2. B (-3,9) _____________7. G (-9,0)

_____________3. C (-3,-3) _____________8. H ( 1.2, -5.4)

_____________4. D (7, -8) _____________9. I (4, 5.7)

_____________5. E (0, -6) _____________10.J (0,-12)

ASSIGNMENT

C. Plot and label the points on the Cartesian plane.

1. G (0,0)

12
2. R (-4,6)

3. A (2,-5)

4. P (-3,-5)

5. H (7,6)

13
MODULE IN
MATH 8

Prepared by: Judy Anne S. Regala, LPT

Subject Teacher

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