Solving Rational Equations

Give an example of a
rational equation.
 Give the value of the variable to make the rational
equation true. 1.)Answer: 21
To check:

1.) = 7
=7

=7

7=7

2.) + 6= 10 3.)Answer: 7
To check:

3.)=6
2.)Answer: 12 =6
To check:
+ 6 = 10 =6
=6
+ 6 = 10
6=6
4 +6=10
10=10
 Solving Rational Equations
 Steps:
 1. Eliminate denominators.
 Multiply all terms by LCD.
 2. Combine like terms.
 3. Terms with variable in one side, without
variable in the other side.
 4. Do the checking.
 Solving Rational Equations
 Examples:
 1.) = 7
LCD: 3
 ()(3) = 7(3) 1.)Answer: 21


To check:
x = 21 =7

=7
 7=7
 Solving Rational Equations
 Examples:
 2.) + 6= 10
LCD: 3

()(3)+6 (3) = 10(3)

 x+18 = 30 2.)Answer: 12
To check:
+ 6 = 10

 x= 30-18 + 6 = 10

 x= 12 4 +6=10
10=10


 Solving Rational Equations
 Examples:
 3.) =6
LCD: 2

()(2) = 6(2)
3.)Answer: 7
 x+5 = 12 To check:
=6

 x= 12-5 =6
=6

 x= 7 6=6


 Solving Rational Equations
 Examples:
 4.) - = LCD:
2
5 10x
 ()(10x) - (10x)= (10x)
 20 – 3(5) = 2x
 20 – 15 = 2x
3.)Answer: 2.5
To check:
- =
5= 2x - =

2x = 5 - =

= =

x = 2.5
 Solving
 Examples:
Rational Equations
 5.) - = LCD: (x+2)
 - = (x-2)

 - = 3.)Answer: -2
To check:
- =
 x(x-2) – (x+2) = 8
-3x-10=0 - =
 -2x-x-2=8
(x+2)(x-5) = 0 - =
 -3x-2=8 x+2=0 x-5=0 Denominator of 0 is
 -2x-x-2-8=0 undefined.
x=-2 x=5 -2 is an EXTRANEOUS
 -3x-10=0 A ROOT. NOT A
SOLUTION

 Answer: 5
3.)

To check:
- = 5
- =
IS ONLY
THE
- =
=
SOLUTIO
N
Denominator of 0 is
 FIND THE SOLUTIONS. CHECK YOUR
SOLUTION
 3.)
 1.)

 4.)
 2.)