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Mathematics
Quarter 1, Week 3 – Module 3.2
Simplifying Rational
Algebraic Expressions –
M8AL-Ic-2
ii
Mathematics – Grade 8
Quarter 1 – Module 3.2: Simplifying Rational Algebraic Expressions

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Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad

Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin

Development Team of the Module

Writer: MARIA ELVIRA R. ESTEVEZ

Editors: NERISSA A. MORTEGA

EFLEDA C. DOLZ
HILDA J. CARLET
DIOLETA B. BORAIS

Reviewer: LILLI ANN HERMOGENES

Illustrator/ Layout Artist: MARISOL B. BOSEO

 GRADE 8 (QUARTER 1)
MODULE 3.2
SIMPLIFYING RATIONAL ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSION

I. Introduction:

Can you still remember how to reduce a fraction to its lowest

term? How about factoring?
In this module you are to learn how to simplify rational
algebraic expressions using the concepts mentioned.

II. Objective:
At the end of this module, you must be able to simplify rational
algebraic expression.

III. Vocabulary List:

Factoring - the process of finding the factors of a given expression

Common Factor – a term which is a factor found in the numerator
and at the same time denominator
Lowest Term – an expression where there is no common factor in the
numerator and denominator

IV. Pre-Test:
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1. What is the simplest form of ?
10
1 −1
a. b. 2 c. d. -2
2 2
x2 −1
2. Which of the following expressions is equal to ?
x −1
a. 𝑥 + 1 b. 𝑥 − 1 c. 1 d. −1
3. Which of the following rational algebraic expressions is in its simplest
form?
2 x2 x 2x 3xy4
a. b. c. d.
x3 y 2y 4y x2 y
d 2 − e2
4. What is the simplified form of ?
7d + 7e
(d + e)(d + e) d −e (d − e)(d − e) d +e
a. b. c. d.
7 7 7 7
x −9
2
5. Which of the following expression is equal to 2 ?
x − 7 x + 12
x −3 x+3 x+3 x −3
a. b. c. d.
x−4 x+4 x−4 x+4

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 V. Learning Activities:

Do you still
Here are some examples of polynomials
remember how to
with its factors:
factor polynomials?
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Great! Now you remember how to do factoring. Let’s use this

to simplify rational algebraic expressions.

STEPS IN SIMPLIFYING RATIONAL

ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS
NOTE:
A rational algebraic 1. Factor both numerator and
expression is in its lowest term denominator.
if the numerator and 2. Divide the numerator and denominator
denominator have no more by their greatest common factor.
common factors other than 1.
3. Multiply the remaining factors and their
product is the rational algebraic
expression in simplest form.

Let’s study the following examples.

15a2b2
Example 1: Simplify: ;
15ab
3• 5• a • a • b • b
STEP 1: - factor the numerator and denominator
3• 5• a • b

3• 5• a • a • b • b - divide out the common factor

STEP 2:
3• 5• a • b or you can divide the numerator
and denominator by their GCF
multiply the remaining factors and their
STEP 3: ab - product is the rational algebraic expression
in simplest form
2
 15a 2b2
Therefore, = ab
15ab

Following the same steps, let us study more examples.

x2 − 25
Example 2: Give the simplest form of: ;
4 x + 20
( x + 5)(x − 5)
STEP 1:
4( x + 5)
STEP 2: x 2 − 25
4 x + 20
x −5 x2 − 25 x − 5
STEP 3: Therefore, =
4 4 x + 20 4

y 2 + 6 xy + 9 x2
Example 3: Express in simplest form
y 2 − 9 x2
( y + 3x)( y + 3x)
STEP 1:
( y + 3x)( y − 3x)
( y + 3x)( y + 3x)
STEP 2:
( y + 3x)( y − 3x)
y + 3x
STEP 3: y 2 + 6 xy + 9 x2 y + 3x
y − 3x Therefore, =
y 2 − 9 x2 y − 3x
x− y
Example 4: Write in lowest term.
y−x

At first glance, there’s no way in which we can factor x − y and

y − x to get a common factor. However, 𝑦 − 𝑥 = −1(−𝑦 + 𝑥 ) =
−1(𝑥 − 𝑦)
So, we will have this solution;
1(𝑥−𝑦)
STEP1:
−1(𝑥−𝑦)
1(𝑥−𝑦)
STEP 2:
−1(𝑥−𝑦)
x− y
1 Therefore = −1
STEP 3: = −1 y−x
−1

5s 2 + 17s −12
Example 5: Simplify
12 −17s − 5s 2

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Both the numerator and denominator are quadratic trinomials where a > 1.
Factor each term first by using any method you are familiar with. For easier
solution, let’s try the AC Test.

STEP 1: 5s −3
s 5s2 − 3s
5s + 17s −12
2
5s + 17s −12
2
4 20s − 12
= (5s − 3)(s + 4)
Product of the
− 60s 2
first and last
terms

20s − 3s Factors of − 60s 2

3 − 5s
12 −17s − 5s 2
12 −17s − 5s 2
4 12 − 20s
= (3 − 5s)(4 + s)
Product of the s 3s − 5s2
− 60s 2 first and last
terms

− 20s 3s Factors of − 60s 2

5s 2 + 17s −12 (5s − 3)(s + 4) by commutative property we can

STEP 2: =
12 −17s − 5s 2 (3 − 5s)(4 + s) divide out (s+4) and (4+s)

5s − 3 simplify further the expression following

=
3 − 5s the solution in example 4

5s − 3 by commutative property we can rewrite

=
− 1(3 − 5s) (-3+5s), giving us;

5s − 3
=
− 3 + 5s
5s − 3
=
5s − 3

5s 2 + 17s −12
STEP 3: =1
12 −17s − 5s 2

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VI. Practice Exercises:

You are now ready. Let’s try to answer the

following. Have fun!!

Practice Task 1:
Simplify the following fractions. Choose your answer from the
choices and write the letter corresponding to the number in the box
below.

“What is the famous mountain in Albay that

is behind the myth of Daragang Magayon?”
2 −3 10 −5 12
1.) 2.) 3.) 50 4.) −6 5.) −6
4 3

−7 36 −12 −15 16
6.) 7.) 8.) −12 9.) 10.)
21 24 −20 4

5 1
−1 1 4 −
6 3

O N A M N

1 3 3 1
−2
5 4 2 2

M U Y O T

4 2 9 8 1 3 10 5 7 6

Practice Task 2:
Simplify the following rational expressions. Choose your answer
from the choices and write the letter corresponding to the number
in the boxes below to answer the given trivia.

3𝑥+9 𝑥 2 −64 5𝑥−10 𝑥+2 𝑥 2 −9

1. ) 2.) 𝑥 2+16𝑥+64 3.) 4.) 𝑥 2−4 5.)
𝑥 2+6𝑥+9 2𝑥−4 𝑥+3

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 𝑥 2−2𝑥−35 𝑥 2−1 𝑥−7 4𝑥 2 −25 𝑥 3+8
6.) 7.) 𝑥 2+2𝑥+1 8.) 2𝑥−14 9.) 2𝑥 2+7𝑥+5 10)
2𝑥−14 𝑥 2+4𝑥+4

N S P U
𝑥−1 1 5 1
𝑥+1 2 2 x−2
B I T O
𝑥+4 3 𝑥 2 − 2x + 4 𝑥−8
5 𝑥+3 𝑥+2 𝑥+8
H A P D
𝑥+5 2𝑥 − 5 3
𝑥−3
2 𝑥+1 4

“WHO IS THE FATHER OF ALGEBRA?”

5 1 2 3 6 9 7 10 4 8

Practice Task 3:

Simplify the following rational algebraic expressions by completing each

solution.

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VII. Post Test:

1. What is the final step in simplifying rational algebraic expressions?

a. factor the numerator and the denominator
b. multiply the remaining factors in the numerator and denominator
c. divide out the common factors of the numerator and
denominator
d. interchange the numerator and denominator

− 21a2b2
2. Which of the following is the simplest form of ?
28a3b3
3 −3 3 −3
a. b. c. d.
4ab 4ab − 4ab − 4ab

7𝑑+7𝑒
3. What is the simplest form of ?
𝑑2 −𝑒 2
7 −7 7 7
a. b. c. d.
𝑑+𝑒 𝑑+𝑒 𝑑−𝑒 −𝑑−𝑒

4. Which of the following is the numerator of the simplified form of

4x + 8
? a. 1 b. 2 c. 3 d. 4
x + 4x + 4
2

y 2 + 6 xy + 9 x2
5. Which of the following shows the first step in simplifying ?
y 2 − 9 x2
( y + 3x)( y + 3x) y + 3x ( y + 3x)( y + 3x) ( y + 3 x) 2
a. b. c. d.
( y − 3x)( y + 3x) y − 3x ( y − 3x)( y + 3x) y − 3x

VIII. Assignment:
Simplify the following rational algebraic expression. Show your
complete solution.

20x2 y5 x2 − 25 x2 − 5x − 14
1. 2. 3.
4 x2 y5 4 x + 20 x2 + 4 x + 4

Answer key:

Pre - Test
1. A 2. A 3. B 4. B 5. C

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Practice Task 1
1. T 2. O 3. M 4. M 5. Y
6N 7. O 8. N 9. U 10. A

Practice Task 2
1. I 2. O 3. P 4. U 5. D
6. H 7. N 8. S 9. A 10. T

Practice Task 3

(d + e)(d − e)
1.
7(d + e)

(a − 3)(a − 3)
2.
(a − 3)(a + 3)

− 2•5• m• m• n • n
3.
5•5• m• m• m• n • n • n
4( x − 6)
4.
( x + 6)(x − 6)
3( x + 2)
5.
( x + 5)(x + 2)

Post Test
1. B 2. B 3. C 4. D 5. A

Assignment

5
1.
x
x −5
2.
4
x−7
3.
x+2

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References:
Abuzo, E. P. (2016). Mathematics Learner's Module. Department of Education -
Bureau of Learning Resources (DepEd-BLR) (p. 76-84).
Daily Lesson Plan in Mathematics - Simplifies Rational Algebraic Expressions
(M8AL-1C-2). (2019) (p. 61-67).
Mathematics Learner's Material for Open High School Program. (n.d.) (p. 43-47).
Department of Education.
Project Ease (Effective Alternative Secondary Education) Mathematics IV -
Module 1: Rational Algebraic Expressions. (2010) (p. 14-17). Pasig City:
Bureau of Secondary Education, Department of Education.
Distance Learning Module-Mathematics 1 (n.d.) (p. 1-8). Bureu of Secondary
Education,Department of Education.