SHS

General
Mathematics
Quarter 1 – Module 6:
Distinguishing Rational Function,
Rational Equation, and Rational
Inequality

i
General Mathematics – SHS
Quarter 1 - Week 2, Module 6: Distinguishing Rational Function, Rational
Equation, and Rational Inequality

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Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad

Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin

Development Team of the Module

Writer: John Emmanuel R. Ibe
Editor: Desiree R. Euste
Reviewers: Sarah Christine P. Godoy
Simeon D. Brillantes
Illustrator: John Emmanuel R. Ibe
Layout Artist: Jhomar B. Jaravata
Cover Art: Jed Adra

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 Distinguishing Rational Function, Rational Equation,
and Rational Inequality

Introduction:
This module intends to help you distinguish rational function, rational
equation and rational inequality. It provides different set of examples that will help
you identify rational functions, rational equations and rational inequalities. Varied
practice tasks were provided to help you master the objective of this module.

Objectives:
At the end of this module, the learner is expected to distinguish
rational function, rational equation and rational inequality. (M11GM – Ib – 2).

Vocabulary List:
The following important terms will be used in this module. They are
defined as follows.

o Function – it is a relation for which each value from the set of first
components of the ordered pairs is associated with exactly one value from
the set of second components of the ordered pair.

o Equation – a statement that the values of two mathematical expressions are

equal (indicated by the symbol = .)

o Inequality – the relation between two expressions that are not equal,
employing a sign such ≠ (is not equal) , < (is less than”) , > ("𝒊𝒔 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓
𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏") , ≤ ("𝒊𝒔 𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒐𝒓 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒍"), and ≥ ("𝒊𝒔 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒐𝒓 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒍").

o Polynomial – it is an expression consisting of variables and coefficients that

involves only the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and
non – negative integer exponents of variables.

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 Pre - Test

Instruction: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. Which of the following Mathematical sentences is a rational function?
1 2𝑥
a. 1 + 5 = 𝑦
𝑥2
4 √2𝑥−1
b. − = 𝑔(𝑥)
𝑥 5
2𝑥 𝑥+1
c. ℎ(𝑥) = −
3 𝑥
4
𝑥3
d. + 6𝑥 = 8 3
2
2. Identify a rational equation.
1 2𝑥
a. 𝑥 + 5 = 4
4 2𝑥−1 1
b. − = 4𝑦
𝑥 5
2
2𝑥 3 𝑥+1
c. 5 = −
3 𝑥
𝑥3
d. + 6𝑥 < 8
2
3. Which of the following Mathematical sentences is a rational inequality?
1 2𝑥
a. 3 + 5 < 4𝑦
4 2𝑥−1 1
b. 2 − ≤ 4𝑦
5
𝑥3
2𝑥 √𝑥+1
c. 0 > −
3 𝑥
𝑥3
d. + 6𝑥 < 8
2
4. Among the following equations, which is NOT a rational equation?
2𝑥
a. √𝑥 3 + 𝑥+5 = 9
𝑥−5
b. =9
𝑥+4
2𝑥
c. + 7𝑥 = 9
𝑥−5
𝑥2 𝑥
d. = 𝑥+4
4𝑥−7
5. Which of the following Mathematical sentences do not belong to rational
function, rational equation and rational inequality?
√𝑥 2
a. + 4𝑥 = 𝑦
𝑥−3
𝑥
b. − 6 = √7
3𝑥+2
𝑥−3 1
c. +𝑥 <2
𝑥2
13𝑥−5
d. 4𝑥 − 4 =𝑦
𝑥3

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 Learning Activities
Let’s now distinguish rational functions, rational equations and rational
inequalities based on their definitions.
Rational Functions:
𝑝(𝑥)
A rational function is a function of the form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑞(𝑥), where p(x) and q(x) are
polynomials and q(x) is not equal to zero.

Another way to identify a rational function, if it involves rational

expression/s, two variables x and f(x) and have an equal sign.

Rational Equation:
It is an equation involving rational expressions.

Another way to identify is a rational equation, if it involves rational

expression/s, only one variable and an equal sign.

Rational Inequality
It is an inequality involving rational expression.

Another way to a rational inequality, if it involves rational

expression/s, only one variable x and have one of the inequality
symbols (<, >, ≤, ≥).

2 1
Example 1: Is 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 4 a rational function, equation or inequality?

2 1 𝑝(𝑥)
Since 𝑓(𝑥) = + is of the form 𝑓(𝑥) = , therefore it is a rational
𝑥 4 𝑔(𝑥)
function.
2 1
(Take note that 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 4 has an equal sign, it involves two
variables, x and f(x).So, it is a rational function.)

𝑥−1 𝑥−4
Example 2: Is 𝑥+2 = 𝑥−5a rational function, equation, or inequality?

As you can observe, the given rational expression have an equal sign and
involves only one variable. (which is x), Therefore it is a rational equality.

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 𝑥−1 𝑥−4
Example 3: Is 𝑥−3 ≥ 𝑥−5 a rational function, equation, or inequality?

The given rational expression involves the ‘greater than or equal’

symbol (≥). Therefore it is a rational inequality.
1
𝑥2 1
Example 4: Is 𝒙−𝟐 = 5 a rational function, equation, or inequality?

The given expression above is neither a rational function, equation, nor

inequality because the variable x has a fractional exponent. It means
that the numerator is not a polynomial which violates the definition of a
rational expression.
Take note: In general, an expression in fraction form is not considered a
rational expression if one of the following is present: a variable with
fractional exponent, a negative exponent, or a variable/s inside a
radical sign.

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 Practice Task 1

Instruction: Consider the given mathematical sentences in the box below and
answer the following questions.

1
1 4𝑥 1 𝑥 √𝑥 1
+ =1 𝑦=𝑥+5 𝑥5 + =3
3𝑥 6 9

1 9 1 2𝑥+1
≤𝑥 𝑥+1=𝑥 =8
7 𝑥−1

1
𝑥+3 7
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 −5 − 6 2𝑥 ≥ 𝑥+4 𝑥 3 > √𝑥 + 2

Questions:
1. Which of them are rational functions?
2. Which of them are rational equations?
3. Which of them are rational inequalities?
4. Which of them do not belong to rational function, rational equation and
rational inequality?

Good Job! Let’s have some

more in the next page.

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 Practice Task 2

TRUE or FALSE
Instruction: Write T if the given statement is true and F if the statement is false.
Justify your answer.
1 1 7
1. The 𝑥 + 𝑥+1 = 12 is a rational equation.

3𝑥+4 1
2. The 𝑔(𝑥) = − is NOT a rational function.
5 𝑥

√𝑥−5
3. The + 𝑥 = 5 is a rational equation.
4
5 1 9
4. The 3𝑥−1 − 5 < 8 is a rational inequality

Keep Going! There’s another

set in the next page.

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 Practice Task 3

Consider the following Mathematical sentences below. Answer the following

questions.

2𝑥+1 1 √𝑥−5
ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑥2
𝑦=𝑥+2 𝑥−2
=𝑦

𝑥+1 𝑥−1
𝑥 = 1/√𝑥 𝑥 3 − 1 = 𝑥−1 𝑥 2 +5
= 19

1
2 1 √𝑥 5 (𝑥−1)2
𝑥 > +2𝑥 𝑥 2 −1
+ 𝑥+1 ≥0 𝑥 2 +5
> 19

1. Which of the given above is/are rational function(s)? How did you know that it
is a rational function?

2. Among the given above, which of them is a rational equation? Tell your
reason why it is a rational equation?

3. Which of the given above is a rational inequality? Why did you say so?

4. Which of them do not belong to rational function, rational equation and

rational inequality? How did you know that it is not belong to rational function,
rational equation and rational inequality?

Way to go! If you’re

ready, there’s a post
test on the next page.

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 Post – Test
Instruction: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.
1. Which of the following is a rational function?
2𝑥+1
a. ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑥2

√2 5
b. 𝑥 2 −1
+ 𝑥+1 ≥0
𝑥+1
c. 𝑥 3 − 1 ≤ 𝑥−1
d. 𝑦 = 1/√𝑥
2. Among the following Mathematical sentences, which is a rational equation?
2𝑥+1
a. ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑥2

√2 5
b. 𝑥 2 −1
+ 𝑥+1 =0
𝑥+1
c. 𝑥 3 − 1 ≤ 𝑥−1
d. 5 = 1/√𝑥
3. Which of the following Mathematical sentences is a rational inequality?
2𝑥+1
a. ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑥2

√2 5
b. 𝑥 2 −1
+ 1 >0
𝑥 2 +1
𝑥+1
c. 𝑥 3 − 1 ≤ 𝑥−1
d. 3𝑥 < 1/√𝑥
4. Which of the following Mathematical sentences is NOT a rational equation?
16𝑥 17
a. 𝑥−5
= 𝑥+4
𝑥2
b. − 4𝑥 = 5
𝑥 2 +5
5
c. 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 5 = 8
2
4𝑥
d. 𝑥 3 − 𝑥−4 = 16

5. Which of the following Mathematical sentences is NOT a rational function?

25 𝑥−5
a. + =𝑦
𝑥−10 √𝑥+3
𝑥−8 24
b. ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑥−16 − 32
𝑥 2 −7 21
c. + 28 = 𝑔(𝑥)
14−𝑥 2
𝑥 3 −6 18
d. − 24 = 𝑦
𝑥+12

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6. Which of the following Mathematical sentences is a rational inequality?
𝑥−1 1
a. >4
𝑥+1
1
5
b. 6𝑥 3 − 𝑥+3 < 0
3
𝑥−1
c. ≤ 𝑥2
𝑥+2

√𝑥+1 1
d. ≤5
𝑥

7. Among the following Mathematical sentences, which is a rational equation?

12+𝑥
a. = √𝑥 − 5
25+𝑥
2𝑥
b. −1=0
𝑥+1
2
3
c. = 𝑥7 − 8
𝑥−2
8−𝑥 3 𝑥−1
d. = 1
𝑥2
𝑥 5 −12𝑥

8. Which of the following Mathematical sentences is a rational function?

𝑥+6
a. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥−4
3
𝑥 4 +15
b. 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 −16
𝑥+4
c. ℎ(𝑥) = 5
𝑥 6 −2𝑥+1
2𝑥−1
d. 𝑝(𝑥) = + √𝑥
𝑥+3

9. Among the equations below, which is NOT a rational equation?

𝑥2 𝑥+√2
a. =
𝑥−3 2𝑥−5
𝑥−1
b. =0
𝑥+√3

√2 1
c. = 𝑥−√3
𝑥
𝑥 2 −𝑥+30
d. = 15
√𝑥+1

10. Which of the following Mathematical sentences is NOT a rational function?

6
a. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥−2
6𝑥+√12
b. 𝑟(𝑥) = 𝑋 2 −4
2𝑥−1
c. ℎ(𝑥) = √𝑥 2
−4
2𝑥 2
d. 𝑝(𝑥) = 𝑥 2+2𝑥−3

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 Assignment

Write the following Mathematical sentences in the appropriate

column in the table below.
1 1 5𝑥
a. 𝑦 = 𝑥 5 d. 4
≤ 𝑥+1
1 𝑥 3𝑥 𝑥−1
b. 2𝑥 = 4 e. 𝑥 2 −1 < 𝑥
𝑥−1 1
c. 3𝑥−1 = 3 f. 45 𝑥 = 𝑔(𝑥)

Rational Function Rational Equation Rational Inequality

References:

Department of Education. (2016). General Mathematics Learner’s Material First

Edition. Lexicon Press Inc.
Abenilla, G. and Ymas S. College Algebra with recreational Mathematics, ymas
Publishing House
Reyes A., and Sulit, R. (2016), General Mathematics, Jimcyville Publications

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 Answer Key
Pre – Test Practice Task 3
2𝑥+1 1
1. C 1. ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 = + 2 . Each
𝑥2 𝑥
2. A of them has rational expression,
3. D equal symbol and two variables (x
4. A and f(x)).
5. D 𝑥+1 𝑥−1
2. 𝑥 3 − 1 = , and 2 =
𝑥−1 𝑥 +5
19 .Each of them has rational
expression, equal symbol and
Practice Task 1 one variable (x) n.
1
1. 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 5
1 𝑥 3. 𝑥 2 > 𝑥. It has rational
𝑥+3 expression, inequality symbol
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 −5 − 6
1 4𝑥
and variable (x).
2. + =1 √𝑥−5 √𝑥 5
3𝑥 6 4. 𝑥−2
= 𝑦, 𝑥 = 1/√𝑥, 𝑥 2 −1 + 𝑥+1 ≥ 0,
1
𝑥+1=𝑥 1
(𝑥−1)2
2𝑥+1 and 𝑥 2 +5
> 19. Although, they
=8
𝑥−1 have rational expression/s, equal
1 9
3. ≤𝑥 symbol or inequality symbol and
7
7 one or two variables (x and f(x) or
2𝑥 ≥ 𝑥+4 y) but they have variable inside the
1
√𝑥 1 radical symbol or the fractional
4. 𝑥 5 + =3
9 exponent of the variable.
1
𝑥 3 > √𝑥 + 2
Post – Test

Practice Task 2 1. A
2. B
1. T. Because, it has a rational 3. C
expressions, one variable (x) 4. D
and equal symbol. 5. A
2. F. Because, it is a rational 6. A
function. It involves rational 7. B
expression, equal symbol and 8. A
two variables (x and f(x)). It is in 9. D
𝑝(𝑥)
the form of f(x) = 𝑞(𝑥), where 10. C
𝑞(𝑥)≠0.
3. F. Because, it is a rational
equation. It involves rational Assignment
expression, one variable (x) and
Rational Rational Rational
equal symbol. Function Equation Inequality
4. T. Because, it has a rational 1 1 𝑥 1 5𝑥
expressions, one variable (x) 𝑦= 5 = <
𝑥 2𝑥 4 4 𝑥+1
and inequality symbol 4 𝑥−1 1 3𝑥
<
𝑥−1
𝑥 = 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥2 − 1 𝑥
5 3𝑥 − 1 3

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