General Mathematics Module 2 rational function is the set of all real numbers except the zeros of the

denominator. Consider the rational function g defined by g(x) =

Unit 1 ( x +3)
(x−5)
.

Rational Functions The domain of g consists of all real numbers except 5.

(x+ 2)
Similarly, the rational function f(x) = is not defined at x = 1
(x 2−1)
and x = -1.
All polynomial functions can be written as a fraction. For instance,
we have the polynomial function f defined by f(x) = x2 + 3, f can
x2 +3
also be written as f(x) = .
1
From this, we can say that polynomial functions are also rational
functions. The examples below will provide you further knowledge
on how to determine rational functions.
Name
Example: tell whether each of the following functions is a rational
function.
Grade/Section 3 x−2 2x
a. f(x) = . b. f(x) = + .c. f(x) = √ 3 x
x+3 x+ 2 x−2
1
Prepared by: d. f(x) = 4 x 2 e. f(x) = 3 x−4 +5 x 5+ x−1
Mr. Jhon Robert S. Clavo
Subject Teacher Solution: the functions defined in, (a), (b), and (e) are rational
functions. The function in (b) can be expressed as a single term by
determining the least common denominator (LCD) of the two terms.
The LCD is equal to (x+2)(x-2), or equivalently, x2- 4. Therefore,
Rational Function
When two polynomial functions are expressed as a quotient, x−2 2x 3 x 2 +4
f(x) = + , is the same as f(x) = 2 . Moreover, (e) can
a new function will be formed. This function is called a rational x+ 2 x−2 x −4
function. Given two polynomial of function P and Q, the function 3 2
be written as f(x) = 4 +5 x + x−1, which is a rational
P( x ) x
defined by f(x) = is rational function. The domain of any function.
Q(x)
 On the other hand, the functions defined in (c) and (d) are 2x – 3x = -10 Combining similar terms
not rational functions. Since f(x) = √ 3 x can be written as f(x) = -x = -10 adding similar terms.
1 x = 10 Dividing both sides by -1
(3 x) 2 and ½ is not an integer. f(x) = √ 3 x is not a polynomial you can also apply cross-multiplication to obtain the same result for
function. Consequently, it is not a ration function. The same x.
explanation applies for the function defined in (d). x+5 3
Generally, functions which permit addition, subtraction, =
2x 4
multiplication, and division, and which allow negative and rational
exponents, are called algebraic functions. EXTEND YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Exercise: determine whether each of the following is a rational To simplify rational equations, apply the CRAM method.
C – clear all fractions by multiplying both sides of the equation by the
function, if it is not a rational function, explain why. LCD of the terms.
1. f(x) = 3x3 – 4x2 + 5x – 1 R – Remove all grouping symbols, if there is any
x A – Add or subtract similar terms
√
2. f(x) =
x−1
x3
M – Multiply or divide both sides by the numerical coefficient of the
variable, leaving only the variable on the left side of the equation with
3. f(x) = 1 coefficient equal to 1. Then, check the result.
(2 x−4 ) 2

Solving Rational Equations and Inequalities

A rational equation is an equation indication that tow
expressions, with at least one term written as a fraction, are equal.
The CRAM method can be used to simplify rational
equations. 4x + 20 = 6x by cross multiplication
4x – 6x = -20 combining similar terms by transposition
x+5 3 -2x = -20 adding similar terms
Example 1: solve for x in the equation = x = 10 dividing both sides by -2
2x 4
Solution: Clear all fractions by multiplying both sides by the LCD x +2 x−2
Example 2: solve for x in the equation = .
of the terms 4x. x+ 4 x+ 2
Solution: multiply both sides of the equation by the LCD which is
x+ 5 3
4x[( )()
2x
=
4
]4x (x+4)(x+2).
2(x+5) = 3x
2x + 10 = 3x Removing the grouping symbols
( x +4 )( x +2 ) ([ xx+2+4 )]=[( x−2
x +2 ) ]
( x + 4 ) ( x+2 )
 ( x +2 )( x +2 ) = ( x−2 ) ( x+ 4 ) 2 x2 +3 x−2=0 combining similar terms
x 2+ 4 x +4=x 2 +2 x−8 applying FOIL method ( 2 x−1 )( x +2 )=0 Factoring the quadratic trinomial
2 x=−12 adding similar terms Equate both factors to 0 and then solve for x
x=−6 dividing both sides by 2 2x – 1 = 0 x+2=0
you can also apply cross multiplication to obtain the same result. 2x = 1 x = -2
Solution: 1
x=
(x+4)(x-2) = (x+2)(x+2) by cross multiplication 2
x 2+ 2 x−8 = x 2+ 4 x +4 by applying FOIL method therefore, the values of x are ½ and -2.
-2x = 12 by combining like terms 1 4
Example 4: find the solution of 2 +1= 2 .
x = -6 by dividing both sides by -2 x +x x +x
Solution:
x−4 4 x +5 1+ x 2+ x =4 multiplying both sides by ( x ¿¿ 2+ x)¿
Example 3: find x in the equation − =0
−2 2 x +3 x 2+ x−3=0 combining similar terms
Solution: start by multiplying both sides of the equation by the Since the resulting quadratic equation cannot be factored,
LCD, which is -2(2x+3). you may apply the quadratic formula to solved for the value(s) of x.
In x 2+ x−3=0 ,a=1 , b=1 ,∧c=−3
−b ± √ b2−4 ac −1± √ 12−4 (1)(−3)
x= x=
Rational Inequality 2a 2(1)
A rational inequality is one which can be written in any of from −1± √ 1+12
x=
below. 2
−1± √ 13
x=
p (x) p ( x) p ( x) p ( x) 2
≥0 >0 ≤0 <0
q(x) q(x) q(x) q(x) −1+ √ 13 −1−√ 13
Thus, the values of x are and
2 2
Where q(x) ≠ 0 Some rational equations involve complex fractions. You may need
to apply a series of algebraic rules to arrive at the solution of the
equation.
2 x 3 x−1
−2 ( 2 x +3 ) ([ x−4
−2 )−
4 x +5
2 x+ 3 ]
= 0 [ −2 ( 2 x +3 ) ] Example 1: Solve the inequality
5
+
2
>9

( 2 x+3 )( x−4 ) −(−2 )( 4 x +5 )=0 Solution:

2 ( 2 x ) +5 ( 3 x−1 )> 90 multiplying both sides of the inequality by 10
2 x3 −8 x+3 x−12+8 x +10=0 applying multiplication of
4 x+15 x−5> 90 distributive property of multiplication
polynomials
 19 x> 95 combining similar terms
x >5 dividing both sides by 19 Students’ activity: Solve each rational equation and inequalities.
The inequality is true for all x > 5. Therefore the solution is 4 3 x2 +2 x−48 1 v−2
1. = 2. 2 = +
(5,+∞). x x−2 x +6 x +8 x +4 v +2
x+2 3 2 x+3
Example 2: find the solution set of <4. 3. = 4. +1>0
x x−1 x−2 x
Solution: start by making the right side of the inequality equal to x−4 1
5. ≤
zero (which is the standard form of inequality). Then, simplify the x−8 2
left side of the inequality, and solve for x.
x+2 2−3 x
−4< 0 <0
x x
Observe that the right side of the inequality must be less than zero.
Therefore, the numerator and the denominator must have opposite
signs to obtain a value less than zero. This leads to two cases:
Case 1: the numerator is less than zero, and the denominator is
greater than zero.
2−3 x <0∧x> 0
−3 x ←2
2
x>
3
2 2
( )
By the intersection of the intervals, this result in x > ∨ , ∞
3 3
Case 2: the numerator is greater than zero and the denominator is
less than zero.
2−3 x >0∧x< 0
−3 x>−2
2
x<
3
Thus, by the intersection of their intervals, x <0∨(−∞ , 0).
Therefore, the solution set is the union of
2 2
x > ∧x<0∨(−∞ ,0) ∪ ,+ ∞
3 3 ( )