MATH 8 MODULE (1st Quarter)
Module No. 3 : Week 3 : First Quarter
Simplifying Rational Expressions
Learning Competency
Illustrates rational algebraic expression.
Code: M8AL-Ic-1
Objective
To define and illustrate a rational algebraic expression.
Let’s Recall (Review)
Express each phrase in fraction form.
1) 6 divided by 7 4) The ratio of 3 to 5
2) 0 divided by 6 5) 7 of 10 equal parts
3) The quotient of x and 8y
If your answers are 1) , 2) , 3) , 4) and 5) then you are correct!
A fraction means division, ratio or part of a whole.
It has two terms, a numerator and a denominator.
The numerator can be zero but not the denominator since division by zero is
meaningless.
When you divide a number by another number you have a fraction or a
rational number.
When you divide a polynomial by another polynomial you have a Rational
Algebraic Expression.
Remember this: , zero divided by any number is zero so it’s “OK” to have
zero in the numerator. BUT or any number divided by zero is meaningless so it’s
a big “NO”.
Let’s Understand (Study the Concept)
Definition of Rational Algebraic Expression
The expression where and are polynomials and 0 is
called a rational algebraic expression.
1
MATH 8 MODULE (1st Quarter)
In other words, when you divide a polynomial by another polynomial you have
a rational algebraic expression or simply rational expression as long as the
denominator is not zero.
Examples of rational algebraic expressions are , , , .
To find the value/s of the variable that will make the expression
meaningless:
1. Factor the denominator.
2. Equate each factor to zero.
3. Solve for the value of the variable.
Example 1: For what value of x Is meaningless?
Since x is the only denominator then is meaningless when x = 0
Example 2: For what value of x is meaningless?
The expression will be meaningless if the denominator is zero so we
equate the denominator to zero and solve for the value of x.
x+6=0
x = 0-6
x = -6
Answer: when x = -6, is meaningless or undefined
Example 3: What value of x will make undefined?
Step 1: Factor the denominator. x2 – 9 = (x + 3)(x – 3).
Step 2: Equate each factor to zero.
x+3=0 x–3=0
Step 3: Solve for x=0-3 x=0+3
x = -3 x=3
Answer: is undefined when x = -3 or when x = 3
Example 4: What are the non-permissible values for ?
Step 1: Factor the denominator. x2 – 3x - 4 = (x + 1)(x – 4).
Step 2: Equate each factor to zero.
x+1=0 x–4=0
Step 3: Solve for x. x=0-1 x=0+4
x = -1 x=4
2
MATH 8 MODULE (1st Quarter)
Answer: x -1, x 4. This means x may have any value
except -1 and 4.
Let’s Apply (Exercises)
A. What value of x will make the expression undefined?
1. 4.
2. 5.
3.
Let’s Analyze (Enrichment Exercises)
What are the non-permissible value/s for each rational algebraic expression?
1. 6.
2. 7.
3. 8.
4. 9.
5. 10.
Additional Activities (Critical Thinking)
What are the non-permissible value/s for each rational algebraic
expression? Explain your answer.
1. 2.
SIMPLIFYING RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS
Learning Competency
Simplifies rational algebraic expressions.
Code: M8AL-Ic-2
Objective
To simplify rational algebraic expressions.
3
MATH 8 MODULE (1st Quarter)
Let’s Recall (Review)
Can you reduce these fractions to lowest terms?
1. 2.
In #1, you can factor both numerator and denominator first then divide the
numerator and the denominator by the greatest common factor.
= =
2. If you cannot think of the GCF between the numerator and
denominator, you can use prime factorization.
= =
Let’s Understand (Study the Concept)
To reduce rational algebraic expressions to its lowest terms, we do the same
procedure as with fractions or rational numbers.
To reduce rational algebraic expressions to its lowest terms:
1. Factor the numerator and denominator completely.
2. Divide each numerator and denominator by the greatest common
factor.
A rational expression like , and are in lowest terms because there is no
factor common to both numerator and denominator other than 1 or -1.
Example 1: Reduce to lowest terms
Step 1: Factor the numerator and denominator.
Step 2: Divide each numerator and denominator
by the common factor.
Answer: The lowest term of is
Example 2: Reduce to lowest terms
Step 1: Factor the numerator and denominator.
4
MATH 8 MODULE (1st Quarter)
Step 2: Divide each numerator and denominator by the common
factor.
=
Answer: The lowest term of is
Example 3: Reduce to lowest terms.
Step 1: We have to factor out -1 either in the =
denominator or numerator since x-y
and y-x are opposites
Step 2: Divide each numerator and = = -1
denominator by the common factor.
Answer: The lowest term of is -1
Example 4: Reduce to lowest terms.
Step 1: Factor the numerator and denominator.
Step 2: Divide each numerator and denominator by the common factor
which is x+5.
Answer: The lowest term of is
Let’s Apply (Exercises)
Give the factor/s common to both numerator and denominator. Assume that the
denominator is nonzero.
1. 6.
2. 7.
3. 8.
4. 9.
5. 10.
5
MATH 8 MODULE (1st Quarter)
Let’s Analyze (Enrichment Exercises)
Reduce each rational expression to lowest terms. Assume that the denominator is
not equal to zero.
1. 6.
2. 7.
3. 8.
4. 9.
5. 10.
Additional Activities (Critical Thinking)
Evaluate if x = 3,215 without using a calculator. Show your work.
(Clue: Factor both numerator and denominator.)
Let’s Try. (Evaluation)
Encircle the letter of the best answer.
1. Which of the following expressions is in simplest form?
a. b. c. d.
2. In the expression x cannot be equal to
a. 2 b. c. 3 d. 5
3. The simplest form of is.
a. b. c. d.
4. When simplified the expression is equal to
a. b. c. d -1
5. The rational expression reduces to
a. b. c.3 d. 3x
6
MATH 8 MODULE (1st Quarter)
6. If is reduced to lowest terms then it is equal to
a. b. c. d.
7. If mn, then is
a. 0 b. 1 c. -1 d. x
8. The rational expression equivalent to is
a. 1 b. c. d.
9. The factor common to the numerator and denominator in is
a. x b. 7 c. 49 d. (x-7)
10. The biggest non-permissible value for x in is
a. -2 b.0 c. 2 d. 4
