Math 20-1

Rational Expressions &

Equations
Assignment Booklet
Name: ___________________

Lesson 1: Simplifying Rational Expressions……..page 1

Lesson 2: Multiplying Rational Expressions……..page 8
Lesson 3: Dividing Rational Expressions……..page 10
Lesson 4: Adding & Subtracting Rational Expressions ……..page 18
Lesson 5: Solving Rational Expressions……..page 24
Lesson 6: Rational Applications……..page 30
Answer Key……..page 40
 Unit 4 - Rational Expressions & Equations

Lesson 1: Simplifying Rational Expressions

1. State the operation and quantity that must be applied to both the numerator and the denominator of
the first expression to get the second expression.
3 3 xy 2 2 2 x  10 3a 2 3a x2  2 x x
a) , 2 2 b) , 2 c) , d) ,
x x y x  5 x  25 a  4a a  4
2
x  x  2 x 1
2

2. Determine the non-permissible value(s) for each rational expression.

5 7 x3
a) b) c)
x3 xy ( x  4)( x  5)

1 x 2a m 1
d) e) f)
3x  5 a  3a
2
m  5m  6
2

3. Simplify each rational expression. State any non-permissible values.

3( x  5) ( x  7)( x  2)
a) b)
( x  5)( x  5) 5 x(7  x)

( x  3)2 3x(4 x  1)
c) d)
3( x  3)( x  3) (4 x  1)(3x  1)

25( x  5)( x  1) 4 xy ( y  9)
e) f)
10(2 x  1)( x  5) ( y  9)( x  4)

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 Unit 4 - Rational Expressions & Equations

4. Simplify. State any non-permissible values.

6r 2 st 3x  6 cd
a) b) c)
10rs 2t 2 x2  4 cd  d

7m  c x2  x y2  2y  3
d) e) f)
4c  28m x2  4 x  5 y2  3y

5. Simplify. Identify any non-permissible values.

3x 2  11x  4 4  8a  4a 2
a) b)
x 2  8 x  16 16  16a 2

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 Unit 4 - Rational Expressions & Equations

2 x2  5x  2 12 x 2  4 x
c) d)
5 x 2  5 x  30 3x 2  5 x  2

4t 3  16t 15 x3  5 x 2
e) f)
6  t  2t 2 6 x 2  13 x  5

6. Simplify.
6 x3  30 x 2 y 36a 4b2  9a3b3 36 x 5 y 3  20 x 4 y 4
a) 2 b) c)
x  4 xy  5 y 2 24a3b4  6a 2b5 30 x 5 y 2  54 x 6 y

20 x 2  13 xy  15 y 2 6 x 2  13xy  28 y 2 8 x 2  12 xy  10 xy 2  15 y 3
d) e) f)
25 y 2  16 x 2 2 x3  7 x 2 y  2 xy  7 y 2 16 x 2  40 xy 2  25 y 4

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 Unit 4 - Rational Expressions & Equations

7. Jesse incorrectly simplified a rational expression, as shown. What was Jesse’s error? Show the
correct solution.
3x 2  x  4 (3x  4)( x  1)

12 x  13 x  4
2
(4 x  1)(3 x  4)
x 1

4x  1
1 1
 ,x 
4 4

8. A rectangular prism has a length of p cm and a width and height that are 2 cm less than the length.
a) Write an expression in terms of p for the surface area of the prism, and express the surface area in
simplest factored form.

b) The rectangular prism has two square faces. Write an expression in simplest factored form which
represents the total length of the edges which make up these two squares.

c) If the ratio of the surface area in a) to the edge length in b) is 10 :1 , find the volume of the prism.

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 Unit 4 - Rational Expressions & Equations

9. A rectangle has an area of 24 x3  54 x 2  15 x and a width of 6 x 2  15 x .

a) Write and simplify an expression for the length of the rectangle.

b) Determine the perimeter of the rectangle if x  2 2 cm. Give the answer in simplest radical form.

8a 2  22a  k 4a  5
10. If the rational expression , where k is a constant, reduces to , then the value of k,
2a  11a  21
2 a7
to the nearest whole number, is _____.

Extension
11. Construct an expression that has non-permissible values of 4, 0, and 3, which simplifies to
6 x  30
the expression . Be certain to expand the numerator and denominator.
7 x  21

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 Unit 4 - Rational Expressions & Equations

x3  5 x 2 y
12. For the expression , determine equations that represent all non-permissible
6 x 2  5 xy  4 y 2
values for the variables.

13. Simplify. State the non-permissible values.

6 x3  18 x 2  24 x  72 8x 4  20 x3  8 x 2  20 x
a) b)
3x3  6 x 2  27 x  54 40 x  24 x 2  16 x3

18 x 4 y  24 x 3 y  8 x 2 y 9 x5 y  x3 y 3  2 x 2 y 4  18 x 4 y 2
c) d)
56 xy 2  68 x 2 y 2  24 x 3 y 2 2 x5 y 5  3x 7 y 3  5 x6 y 4

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 Unit 4 - Rational Expressions & Equations

x 2  3x  ax  3a x3  6 x 2  x  6
14. If is equivalent to , determine the value of a. State
4 x 2  4 x  24 4 x3  8 x 2  4 x  8
NPVs.

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 Unit 4 - Rational Expressions & Equations

Lesson 2: Multiplying Rational Expressions

For all questions, identify any non-permissible values.
1. Simplify.
 9 x   7 y3   5xy   x( x  y) 
2 
 2 
a)  b)  2  
 14 y  3x   ( x  y)   10 

 x2   ( x  1)( x  6)   x( x  6) 
c) ( x  3)   d)  ( x  6)( x  6)   (1  x) 
 4 x  12    

2. Write each product in simplest form.

 x  2   x2  2 x  8   5 y  5   y 2  25 
a)    b)  2  2 
 x  4  x  2   y  4 y  5  y  2 y  15 
2

 x3  9 x  2 x 2  x  10   4 x 2  25  15x 2  65x  20 
c)  
 2  d)  
 
 2 x  x  15  x  x  6   24 x  52 x  20  2 x  3x  20 
2 2 2

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 Unit 4 - Rational Expressions & Equations

3. Simplify. State the non-permissible values.

x 2  9 10 x  40 4a 2  1
2a
a)  b) 
6 x  24 x 2  3 x 4a  16 a  1
2
2

x2  5x  6 6x 2 y3  4 y 2 y2  y  6
c)  2 d) 
3x x  9 x  14 3 y2  9 y y2  4

x2  4 x  4
4. Consider the rectangle shown.
5x

20 x
x3  2 x 2

b) Calculate the exact area if x  4 5 cm.

a) Write and simplify an expression for the area
of a rectangle.

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 Unit 4 - Rational Expressions & Equations

Lesson 3: Dividing Rational Expressions

1. Divide. Express each quotient in simplest form.
 x 1   x  3 
a)     2 
5a 15c
b)    

3b   9a   3x  5   3x  5 

4a 16a 2 2( x  3)( x  3)
c)  d)  x( x  3)
3(a  4) 9(a  4) 3x

x 2  8 x  16 3x 2  3
2. What are the non-permissible values for the quotient  . Explain your answer.
( x  3)( x  5) ( x  4)

3. Simplify each quotient.

16a 2b 4ab 2 x  x2 ( x  1)2
a)  b)  2
a 2  2a a 2b  4b 10 x  8 5x  4 x

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 Unit 4 - Rational Expressions & Equations

x2  8x  7 x2  7 x  6 9 y2  1 3y2  8 y  3
c)  d) 
x2  6 x  7 x 2  x  42 y3 9  y2

4. Simplify.
 4 x2  4  5 x 2  x2  144  x2  x  6  x 2  4 x  4 
a)  
 2   ( x  1) b)   2 
 2 
 25x  50 x  25  x  x   x  2 x  x  10 x  24 
2
12 x2

9 x  27 3x  27 3x 2  3x 8 x3  8 x 2 2 x 2  32 12 x3
c)   d)  
9  x2 x3  3 x 2 x 2  6 x  27 4 x2  8x  4 3x 2  12 x x2  5x  4

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 Unit 4 - Rational Expressions & Equations

5. A rectangle has an area of 2x2  x  1.

a) Determine an expression for the width of the rectangle if the length is 2x  1.

b) State any non-permissible value(s).

c) Are there any other non-permissible values of x? Explain.

x3 x3
6. a) What is the product of and ?
x x3

x3 x3
b) What is the quotient of and ?
x x3

c) How do the non-permissible values of the product compare with the non-permissible values of the
quotient? Explain.

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 Unit 4 - Rational Expressions & Equations

7. Simplify.
1 4
5 8
a) a b) x
1 1
5 4 2
a x

3 1
 2
p 2
p 4
c)
6
1 2
p

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 Unit 4 - Radical Expressions & Equations

8. Write each expression in simplified form.

8m2 n 6mn3 12 x 4 y 3 18 x5 y 2
a)  b) 
3mn4 4mn2 25 x 2 y 15 xy 6

10 xy  x  2 y  30 x 4 y  y  x  18s5t  7s  3 30s 2t 4  3  7s 
c)  d) 
6 x3 y 2  x  y  5xy 3  x  2 y  70st 2  s  2t  42s3t 3  2t  s 

9. Write each expression in simplified form. Identify all non-permissible values.

4 x 2  12 x 25x 4  25 x3 a 2  a  20 a 2  4a
a)  b) 
10 x3  10 x 2 8x 2  24 x a 2  4a  4 a 4  2a3

2 x2  7 x  3 x2  9 x b3  b2  4b  4 3b2  b  4
c)  2 d)  2
x2  9 2 x  5x  3 b2  4 3b  10b  8

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 Unit 4 - Radical Expressions & Equations

10. Write each expression in simplified form.

2x  3 a5 b3  b 2

a) 4 x 2  9  
2x  3
b)
a 1

 a 2  4a  5  c)
1  b2
  4b  4 

x7 x 2  49
c 2  7c  10
x2 f) 2 x  9
2
d) e)
x 2  49 c 2  5c x  4 x  21
5 x  10 c 3  2c 2

11. Consider the dimensions of the right triangle

shown. Determine a simplified expression for
4 x3  24 x 2
its area. State non-permissible values.
x2  8x

x 2  5x  24
x2  3x  18

x2  9 x 2  8 x  15
12. A rectangle has an area of . If the length of the rectangle is 2 ,
x 1 x  3x  4
determine a simplified expression for the width. State all non-permissible values.

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 Unit 4 - Radical Expressions & Equations

Extension
13. Write each expression in simplified form.
1  x4 2 x 2  3x  35
a) 3 
x  x2  5x  5 7  5x  2 x2

4 x6  12 x5  16 x 4  48x3 20 x 4  10 x3  150 x 2
b) 
9 x5  144 x 6 x5  15x 4  6 x3

x3  x 2 y  16 xy 2  16 y 3 5 x 4  20 x3 y x 2 y 4  4 xy 5
c)  
x 3  x 2 y  2 xy 2 5 x 3  30 x 2 y  40 xy 2 xy  2 y 2

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 Unit 4 - Radical Expressions & Equations

14. Two cylinders have radii in the ratio of 6 : 5 and heights in the ratio of 10 : 9.
Determine the ratio of their volumes.

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 Unit 4 - Radical Expressions & Equations

Lesson 4: Adding & Subtracting Rational

Expressions
Wherever applicable, state the non-permissible values for the variables.
1. State the least common denominator.
9x  y 3y 1 5
a)  b) 
4x 5y x4 3x  1

9 3x
c) 
x  36
2
x 6

2. Add or subtract. Express the answers in simplest form.

x 1 4x  5 4 x2 x 1 x2
a)  b)  
3x 3x x5 x5 x5

7x  6 3x  2
c) 
( x  2)( x  2) ( x  2)( x  2)

3. Simplify.
a5 4 x4 3x  1
a)  2 b) 
7a 3a 5 xy y2

x 1 4 x3
c)  
xy 2 7 xy 5 y2

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 Unit 4 - Radical Expressions & Equations

4. Add or subtract, and express the answers in simplest form.

3 2 3x x
a)  b) 
x5 x7 7y 7( y  3)

5x x2  4 3 3x x3
c)   d) 
x 1 ( x  1)( x  1) x 1 ( x  2)( x  5) ( x  5)( x  6)

5. Simplify.
2a a2  9 3y 6y
a)  2 b)  2
2a  6 a 9 y 4
2
y  5y  6

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 Unit 4 - Radical Expressions & Equations

3 5 x6 x5
c)  2 d)  2
4  x2 x  4x  4 x 2  11x  28 x  8x  7

6. Simplify each rational expression, and then add or subtract. Express the answers in simplest form.
8 x 1 x 2  49 2  2x
a)  2 b)  2
3x  18 x  5x  6 x  8x  7
2
x 1

2x  8 x9 2x 3( x  1)( x  6) 4
c)  d)  2 
x  5x  6
2 ( x  3)( x  5) x3 3x  6 x  45 x5

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 Unit 4 - Radical Expressions & Equations

7. The volume V of a gas at a pressure P is given by the formula PV  300 . If the pressure
is increased by x, determine a simplified expression to represent the decrease in volume.

d
8. The time t to travel a distance d at a constant speed v is given by the equation v  .
t
If the speed is decreased by x, determine a simplified expression to represent the increase
in time to cover the same distance.

Extension
9. Simplify. Identify all non-permissible values.
8 1 1
a)  
4y  y 3
y2 y

4m m 2
b)  3  2
m 1 m  m  m 1 m 1
4 2

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 Unit 4 - Radical Expressions & Equations

2a3  12a 2 10ab  50b

c) 
2a  22a  56a 70b  80ab  10a 2b
4 3 2

10. Simplify. Identify all non-permissible values.

3 2
4 1
a) x b) m
7 m7 3
2 2 
x m 1 m

2t 2  8t
2t  5 
c) t 1
5t  1
3t  1 
t 1

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 Unit 4 - Radical Expressions & Equations

11. Simplify.
2x  5 x2  9 x 2  x  20
a)  
x 2  1 x 2  3x  4 x 2  2 x  15

x2 2 x 2  3x 4 x2  9
b)  
x3  2 x 2  4 x  8 x 4  4 x3  12 x 2 2 x 2  9 x  18

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 Unit 4 - Radical Expressions & Equations

Lesson 5: Solving Rational Equations

Wherever applicable, state the non-permissible values for the variables.
1. Solve and check each equation.
2x x 5 5 2
a)   b) 3
3 4 6 2a a

x3 11 2 x2 11x 1
c)   d)  
x2 15 x 5x 3 18 9

3 5 x 2 x 1
e) 2 x   f)  
x 2 3 x 3

2. Solve each rational equation.

3 x  15 x x4 6
a)  5 b)  
x3 x3 x 1 x 1 x

2 3 x 2
c)  2 d)  1
x3 x x2 x2

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 Unit 4 - Radical Expressions & Equations

3. Solve.
21 x 1 x
a)  3 b) 
5x  3 x3 x5

x4 x4 x2 2x

c)  d) 
x2 x4 x x 1

4. Solve the following equations.

x x2  9 2x 5 1 3
a)  2  b)  2 
x3 x 9 x3 x 1 x x2 x2

x5 x 2x  9 3x 20 4
c)   2 d)  2 
2x  4 x3 x x6 2x  3 2x  x  6 x  2

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 Unit 4 - Radical Expressions & Equations

5. Solve each rational equation. Round answers to the nearest hundredth.

x 5 x 1 x 1 ( x  2) x 1
a)   b)  
2x  3 8 x  12 5 x x 2
3x

3 2 1 x5 8 x
c)   d)  2 
2x  3 3x  2 x 2 x  10 x  25 x5

5x x 3
6. When solving the following rational equation   2 ,
2x  1 x 1 2x  x  1
Petra determines that x  1.
a) Without solving the equation, do you agree with Petra’s solution? Explain.

b) Solve the equation.

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 Unit 4 - Radical Expressions & Equations

7. Solve. Be certain to check for extraneous solutions.

3 20 2 5 10
a)  2  b) 7
x  5 x  25 x  5 x2 x2

3x  2 2 x  5 3x 2 5x
c)  d)  2  2
9x 1 6x  5 x  5x  6 x  x  2 x  2 x  3
2

Extension
8. Solve. Be certain to check for extraneous solutions.
5a 3a  3 8a  16
a) 2  2  2
a  a a  2a  3 a  4

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 Unit 4 - Radical Expressions & Equations

5x3  5x 2 14 x  6 2x  6
b)  2  2
5x  15x 2 x  18 x  6 x  9
3 2

3x 2  3 5x  15 x 4  1 3x
c)   
x  2  x  2x
3 2
x  9 1  x 6  x  x2
2 4

9. Solve exactly using the quadratic formula.

2x 1 x  2 5x  2 2 x2 x
a)  b)  2 
x 5 x 3 x  3 x  3x x  3

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 Unit 4 - Radical Expressions & Equations

2 x2  2 x 4 5x2  7
c)  
x2 1 3  x x2  4x  3

3x  1 2x  3 5
d)  2  2
x  x  2 x  x  6 x  4x  3
2

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 Unit 4 - Radical Expressions & Equations

Lesson 6: Rational Applications

1. A rectangle has the dimensions shown.
a. What is an expression for the difference
between the length and the width of the
rectangle? Simplify your answer.

b. What is an expression for the area of the rectangle? Express the answer in
simplest form.

c. If the perimeter of the rectangle is 28cm, find the value(s) for x.

2. Two consecutive numbers are represented by x and x  1 . If 6 is added to the first

number and two is subtracted from the second number, the quotient of the new numbers
9
is . Determine the numbers algebraically.
2

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 Unit 4 - Radical Expressions & Equations

11
3. The sum of the reciprocals of two consecutive integers is . What are the integers?
30

4. Suppose you are running water into a tub. The tub can be filled in 2 min if only cold tap
is used. It fills in 3 min if only the hot tap is turned on. How long will it take to fill the
tub if both taps are on simultaneously?
a. Will the answer be less than or greater than
2 min? Why?

b. Complete the table.

c. What is one equation that represents both

taps filling the tub?

d. Solve your equation to determine the time with both taps running.

5. Two kayakers paddle 18 km downstream with the current in the same time it takes them
to go 8 km upstream against the current. The rate of the current is 3 km/h.
a. Complete the table. Use the formula
distance  rate  time .

b. What equation could you use to find the

rate of the kaykers in still water?

c. Solve your equation.

d. Which values are non-permissible?

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 Unit 4 - Radical Expressions & Equations

6. Evan drove 308km in the same time that Meghan drove 329 km. If Meghan drove on average
6km / hr faster than Evan, calculate her average speed and the time taken for the journey.

7. Erin Airlines has a fleet of airplanes whose average speed is 4 times the average speed of the
Derailer passenger train. A Derailer train requires 12 hours more than an Erin airplane to
travel a distance of 200 km. Calculate the average speed of each mode of transport.

8. A boat travels 12 km downstream the same time it takes them to travel 8 km upstream.
a. If the speed of the current is 6km / hr , write expressions for the speed of the boat
travelling upstream and travelling downstream.

b. Calculate the time it takes for the boats to travel 18 km upstream.

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 Unit 4 - Radical Expressions & Equations

9. Write algebraic expressions to represent each of the following statements.

a) The sum of the reciprocals of two consecutive numbers.

b) The difference in times between a car travelling 80 km at x km/h and a truck

travelling 100 km at (x + 10) km/h.

c) The profit on each radio when x radios are bought for $6000 and (x  5) radios are sold
for $8000.

d) The difference in times to print 400 sheets of paper, if a laser printer can print 25 more
sheets per minute than an ink-jet printer.

7
10. The sum of two numbers is 14, and the sum of their reciprocals is . Algebraically
24
determine the two numbers.

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 Unit 4 - Radical Expressions & Equations

1
11. The difference between the reciprocals of two consecutive even numbers is .
40
Algebraically determine the two numbers.

17
12. The sum of a number and its reciprocal is . Algebraically determine the number.
4

13. Students sent flowers costing $180 to a sick classmate. There were four fewer students
contributing than was planned, requiring each of the others to give $12 more. Algebraically
determine how many students contributed to the gift.

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 Unit 4 - Radical Expressions & Equations

14. Derek makes a journey where he travels 12 km by running and 30 km by cycling. If the
bike’s average speed is 11 km/h faster than his running speed, and the whole journey took 5
hours, then algebraically determine the speed of the bike.

15. Joanne bought some calculators for $160. She kept 3 for herself, and then sold the rest of
them for $200. Algebraically determine the number of calculators she bought if the profit
per calculator is $20.

16. A rectangular board has an area of 200 cm2 and a width of w cm. Write a simplified
expression, in terms of w, for:
a) the length of the board b) the perimeter of the board

c) the change in length when the width is increased by 1 cm and the area stays the same

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 Unit 4 - Radical Expressions & Equations

17. If a bus travelled 10 km/h faster, it would take 2 hours less time to make a 315 km trip.
Algebraically determine its speed.

18. Josh and Elena, working together, can paint a room in 3 h. It would take Josh 5 h to paint it
by himself. How long would it take Elena to paint the room by herself?

19. To save fuel on a 240 km trip, a family reduces their usual average speed by 20 km/h. This
lengthens the journey time by 1 h. What is the slower average speed?

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 Unit 4 - Radical Expressions & Equations

20. Using technology, solve the following rational equations. Answer to the nearest tenth.
x  1.7 4 5
a)  5.8  0 b)  3 0
x  3.2 x x7

L Lw
21. The golden rectangle has a length L and width w that satisfy the equation  .
w L
Determine the length of the golden rectangle with a width of 74 cm. Answer to the nearest
tenth of a cm.

22. When resistor r and resistor s are placed in parallel with each other, the total (combined)
1 1 1
resistance R of the circuit is given by the equation   .
R r s
a) If the total resistance is 12 ohms when resistor 1 is 25 ohms, determine resistor 2.
Answer to the nearest tenth.

b) (i) Solve for R in the equation. Simplify your answer.

(ii) Assume that r = 10 ohms and s = 30 ohms. When r is decreased by x ohms and s
is increased by x ohms, the total (combined) resistance decreases by 1.1 ohms.
Determine x.

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 Unit 4 - Radical Expressions & Equations

E
23. Solve for n in the formula I  .
r
R
n

24. A rectangular lot with an area of 700 m2 is to be fenced on

three sides, with the fourth side being the stream. The sections
of fence opposite each other are x m long, as shown. x x
a) Express the total length of fencing L in terms of x.
shore

b) Using technology, determine the dimensions (to the nearest tenth of a metre) requiring
the least amount of fencing for the largest area.

25. An open cardboard box with a square base of side x cm

has a volume of 170 cm3.
a) Express in terms of x:
(i) the height of the box

(ii) the surface area A of the cardboard x

b) Using technology, determine the dimensions (to the nearest tenth of a cm) requiring
the least amount of cardboard.

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 Unit 4 - Radical Expressions & Equations

26. Two taps turned on together can fill a tank in 12 min. By themselves, one takes 10 min
longer than the other. Determine the time taken by each tap on its own to fill the tub.

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 Unit 4 - Radical Expressions & Equations

Answer Key
Lesson 1: Simplifying Rational Expressions
1. a) multiplication; (xy2) b) multiplication; (x  5) c) division; (a) d) division; (x  2) 2. a) x  3
5 x2
b) x  0, y  0 c) x  4, 5 d) x  e) a  0, 3 f ) m  2, 3 3. a)
3
, x  5 b) , x  0, 7
3 x5 5x
x3 3x 1 1 5( x  1) 1 4 xy 3r
c) , x  3 d) , x , e) , x , 5 f) , x  4, y  9 4. a) , r  0, s  0, t  0
3( x  3) 3x  1 4 3 2(2 x  1) 2 x4 5 st
3 c 1 x y 1
b) , x  2 c) , c  1, d  0 d) , c  7m e) , x  1, 5 f ) , y  0, 3
x2 c 1 4 x5 y
3x  1 1 a 2x  1 1
5. a) , x  4 b) , a  1 c) , x  2, 3 d) 4x
, x  2,
x4 4(1  a ) 5( x  3) x2 3

4t (t  2) 3 5x2 1 5
e) ,t  , 2 f) , x ,
3  2t 2 2x  5 3 2
6x 2 3a 2 y2 5x  3 y 3x  4 y 2x  3 y
6. a) b) c) d)  e) f)
x y 2b 2 3x 5 y  4x x2  y 4x  5 y2
x 1 1 4
7. does not reduce. The non-permissible values are x  , .
4x  1 4 3
8. a) 2  3 p  2 p  2 cm2 b) 8 p  2 cm c) 20016cm3  p  14 9. a) 4 x  1 b) 98  44 2cm 10. 15
6 x3  54 x 2  120 x 3
11. 12. y  x , y  2 x
7 x  7 x  84 x
3 2
4

13. a)
2  x  2
, x  2, 3 b)
 2 x  5 x  1 or
 2 x  51  x  , x  0, 1, 5/2
x3 2 5  2x  2  2 x  5
x  2  3x  3x  y 1
c) , x  0, 2/3, 7/2 , y  0 d) , x  0, y  0 , y  3x , y   x
2 y  2x  7  x3 y 2 2
14. a = 6 NPV: x  1, 3, 2

Lesson 2: Multiplying Rational Expressions

1. a)
3y
, x  0, y  0 b)
x2 y
, x  y c) x  2 , x  3 d) x, x  1,  6 2. a) x  4 , x  2
2x 2( x  y ) 4 x2

b)
5
, y  5, 1, 3 c) x, x   3, 2, 5
d) 5(3x  1) , x   5 ,  4, 1 3. a) 5( x  3)
, x   4, 3,0
y3 2 4(3x  1) 2 3 3x
2a  1 1 2( x  3) 2y 4( x  2) 2 5 1 2
b) , a   2, c) , x   7, 2,0 d) , y   2,0,3 4. a) b) cm
4  a  2 2 x7 3 x2 10

Lesson 3: Dividing Rational Expressions

x 1 5
1. a)
a3
, a  0, b  0, c  0 b) , x  , 3 c) 3
, a  0, 4 d) 2( x 2 3) , x  0, 3
bc x3 3 4a 3x
2. x  5, 4, 1, 1, 3; The non-permissible values for the original expression are 5, 4, and 3. The non-permissible
 x2 4
values for the reciprocal of the second term are 1 and 1. 3. a) 4(a  2), a  0, 2, b  0 b) , x  , 0, 1
2( x  1) 5
x7
c) , x  6, 1, 7 d) 1  3y, y   3, 1
x 1 3
( x  2)( x  12)
4. a)
4x
, x  1, 0 b) , x  2, 12, 0, 3 c)  x( x  3) , x  3, 0, 1, 9
5( x  1)( x  1) 12 x( x  3) x 1

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 Unit 4 - Radical Expressions & Equations

d) 1 , x  4, 1, 0 5. a) The width is x  1. b) x   1 , x  1

4 2
c) The non-permissible values are x  1 because a value of x of 1 would result in a length of zero, and
any smaller value would result in a negative length
x2  6 x  9 x3
6. a) b)
x  3x
2 x
c) Example: Both the product and quotient share two non-permissible values: x  0 and 3. This is because both have
the same original expressions. To determine the quotient you must multiply the reciprocal of the divisor, so neither
the numerator nor denominator of the divisor can equal zero. Therefore, the quotient has a third non-permissible
value: 3.
5a  1 1 4x 1 2
7. a) , a  0, b) , x   ,0 c) , p  2,  6,0
5a  1 5 2x  1 2 p2  4
4m 2 y6 10x 9s5
8. a) 2
b) 2
c)  d)
n 5x y 3
25t 2

5 x  x  3 a 2  a  5
9. a) ; x  0, 1, 3 b) ; c  3, 1/2 , a  2, 0, 4
4  x  3 a2
x  x  9 b2  4
c) ; x  3, 1/2 d) ; b  2, 1, 4/3
 x  32 b2

1 5 x7
10. a)  2 x  32 b) c) 4b2 d) e) c  c  2 
2
f)
 a  1 2 x7  x  3 2  x  3
2 x  x  3
11. A ; x  0, 8, 6, 3
x3

 x  3 x  4  ; x  1, 4, 3, 5

12. w
 x  5

13. a)
1  x   x  5
2

b)
2 x3  2 x  1
c)
x  4y
x 5
2
15  x  2  2 x  5  y 3
 x  2y
14. 8:5

Lesson 4: Adding & Subtracting Rational Expressions

5x  4 3x 2  x  1 4
1. a) 20xy b) (x  4)(3x  1) c) (x  6)(x  6) 2. a) , x  0 b) , x  5 c) , x  2
3x x5 x2
3a 2  15a  28
b) xy  4 y  152 x  5x
x  0, y  0 c) 56 x  35  202 y  7 x
2 2
3. a) , a0 , , x  0, y  0
21a 2 5 xy 35 xy
5 x  11 2 xy  9 x 4 x2  2 x  1
4. a) , x  7, 5 b) , y  0, 3 c) , x  1
( x  5)( x  7) 7 y ( y  3) ( x  1)( x  1)
2 x 2  13x  6 3 3 y (3 y  1)
d) , x  2, 6, 5 5. a) , a  3 b) , y   2, 3
( x  2)( x  5)( x  6) a3 ( y  2)( y  2)( y  3)

2( x  8) 2 5 x2  6 x  9
c) , x  2 d) , x  1, 4, 7 6. a) , x  1, 6 b) , x  1, 7
( x  2)( x  2) 2 ( x  4)( x  1) 3( x  6)  x  1 x  1
x2  5 x  22 x2  19 x  6 300x dx
c) , x  3,  2,5 d) , x  5,3 7. 8.
( x  3)( x  2)( x  5) ( x  3)( x  5) P  P  x v v  x

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 Unit 4 - Radical Expressions & Equations

2 m2 2
9.a) ; y  0, 2 b) ; m  1 c) ; a  1, 4, 7 ; b  0
y 2  y  m  1  m  1
2
 a  4 a  1

10. a)
x  4 x  3
; x0 b)
 2  m  m  1 ; m  0, 1, 3 c)
5
; t  0, 1
2x  7
2
 m  3 m  1 3t
x2  8 2
11. a) b)
 x  1 x  1 
x x 4
2


Lesson 5: Solving Rational Equations

3 9 1 3 3 3
1. a) 2 b) , a  0 c) , x  0 d) , 2 e) , 2, x  0 f ) 6, x  0 2. a) x  , x  3 b) x   , x  0, 1
2 2 6 4 4 5
9 3 4
c) x  , 1, x  0, 3 d) x   2, x  0 3. a) x  2, x  b) x   5, x  3, 5 c) x  , x  2, ,
2 5 7
1 2 3
d) x   , 2, x  0, 4. a) x  1, x  3 b) x  7, x  1, 2 c) x  1, x  2, 3 d) x  4, , x   , 2
2 3 2
3 3 2
5. a) x  1.27, x  b) x  0.71, 4.21, x  0 c) no solution, x  0, , d) x  20.44, 0.44, x  5
2 2 3
3
6. a) No. 1 is a non-permissible value in the second term, so x  1. b) x  7. 3 and 9 or 6 and 18
7
7. a)no solution b)x = 3, 6/7 c)x = 15/16 d)x = 6, 1/2
8. a)a = 6 b)x = 2 c)x = 7, 1

1 7 1  10
9. a) x  7  2 14 b) x  c) x  d) x  1  5
2 3

Lesson 6: Rational Applications

3  x 2 3  3x 3  x 2 6  2x 1
1. a)  , 2 ,x  0 b)  , 3 ,x  0 c) x 
x2 x x x2 x x 2
2. The numbers are 3 and 4. 3. The integers are 5 and 6.
4. a) Less than 2 min. There is more water going in at once. b)
x x
c)  1 d) 1.2 min
2 3
5. a)

18 8
b)  c) 7.8 km/h
x3 x3

6. 94km / hr , and 3.5 hours.

7. Erin airplane 500km / hr , Derailer Train 125km / hr
8. a) s  6km / hr, s  6km / hr b) 45 minutes
1 1 80 100 8000 000 400 400
9. a)  b)  c)  d) 
x x 1 x x  10 x5 x x  25 x
10. 6 and 8 11. 8 and 10 or 8 and 10 12. 4 13. 6 students (originally 10 students)

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 Unit 4 - Radical Expressions & Equations

400  2w2 200

14. 15 km/h 15. 8 calculators 16. a) L = 200/w b) P  c)
w w  w  1
17. 35 km/h 18. 7.5 h 19. 60 km/h
20. a) x = 4.2 b) x = 1.7, 5.7 21. 119.7 cm
rs
22. a) 23.1 ohms b) i) R  ii) 2 ohms
rs
I  Rn  r 
23. n
E
700
24. a) L  2 x  b)18.7 m , 37.4 m
x
170 680
25. a)i) h  2
ii) A   x2 b) x = 7.0 cm ; h = 3.5 cm
x x
26. 20 mins, 30 mins

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