RATIONAL FUNCTIONS,

EQUATIONS, AND
INEQUALITIES
FINALS TOPIC 2
▪ An expression is NOT A POLYNOMIAL if the variable
contains a fraction (in which cases, a root of a variable
e.g., √𝑥)
EXAMPLES IS IT A POLYNOMIAL OR
NOT?
𝑥2 + 3 𝑥 + 1 NOT A POLYNOMIAL

𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 1 POLYNOMIAL
▪ From the previous lectures remember that:
2
▪ is a RATIONAL expression because the
𝑥+5
denominator is a polynomial; numerator (2) is a
polynomial and denominator (x+5) is also a
polynomial expression.

𝑥−4
▪ is NOT a rational expression because the
2𝑥+1
numerator is NOT A POLYNOMIAL
▪ Rational Expression is the ratio of two polynomials
3𝑥 2 −5𝑥+2
▪ E.g. ; numerator
3𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 2 is a polynomial
𝑥+1
expression and denominator (x+1) is also a polynomial
expression
▪ Rational Expression is the ratio of two polynomials
3𝑥 2 −5𝑥+2
▪ E.g.
𝑥+1
▪ Numerator 3𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 2 is a polynomial expression
and Denominator (x+1) is also a polynomial
expression
 DEFINITION EXAMPLES
RATIONAL An EQUATION involving 𝑥+4 1
=
EQUATION RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS 𝑥−1 5
RATIONAL An INEQUALITY involving 𝑥+4 1
>
INEQUALITY RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS 𝑥−1 5
RATIONAL A function of the form 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 8
FUNCTION 𝑝(𝑥) 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥+4
𝑞(𝑥)
Where p(x) and q(x) are
POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS and
q(x) is NOT A ZERO FUNCTION
EXAMPLE CLASSIFICATION
1+𝑥
=4
𝑥−2
2
5𝑥 ≥
2𝑥 − 1
𝑥2 − 7
𝑓 𝑥 = −3
𝑥+2
𝑥+2
=𝑦+3
𝑥−2
𝑥+1
< 𝑥+3
2
▪ Distance is often represented with “d”
▪ e.g., km, mi, m, etc.
▪ Speed/velocity/rate is often represented with “s”, “v”, or “r”
▪ e.g., km/hr (or kph); km/s (kps); mi/hr (mps), etc.
▪ Time is often represented with “t”
▪ e.g., hr, secs (s), minutes (mins)
▪ General form:
𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 (𝒅)
𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒆𝒅(𝒔) =
𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 (𝒕)
▪ Hint: We are looking for v(t)
▪ Work problems are examples of application of rational
functions involving the amount of work a person (or
team of persons) can do in a certain amount of time.
▪ The amount of work done is equal to the product of the
rate at which work is being done and the amount of
time required to do the work. That is,

𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌 = 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒆 × 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆

Ex.2) Bill can finish a report in “p”-hours while Maria can finish the
same report in “q”-hours.
a. Represent the function of rate of work for Bill to finish the report.
b. Represent the function of rate of work for Maria to finish the same
report.
c. Represent the function of work done in terms of the time Bill
finishes the report
d. Represent the function of work done in terms of the time Maria
finishes the report
a.)Represent the function of rate of work for
Bill to finish the report.
𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑑: 𝑟𝐵𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑡𝐵𝑖𝑙𝑙
b.) Represent the function of rate of work for
Maria to finish the same report.
𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑑: 𝑟𝑀𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎 𝑡𝑀𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎
c.) Represent the function of work done in
terms of the time Bill finishes the report

d.) Represent the function of work done in

terms of the time Maria finishes the report