Rational

Functions
 Objectives:
• Define rational function
• Represent real-life situations using
rational functions
• Differentiate rational function,
rational equation, and rational
inequality
• Solve rational equations
Let’s Recall:
Review:

What is a
polynomial function?
 A polynomial function p of
degree n is a function that can be
written in the form

where a0, a1, … an  R, an  0,

and n is a positive integer.
Examples of Polynomial Functions

f(x) = 3x + 1
f(x) = 5x2 +x–2
f(x) = 8x 3 + 2x +
2 3x – 9
* No negative and fractional exponents
 What is a
rational function?
A rational function is a function of
the form
p ( x)
f ( x) =
q ( x)

where p(x) and q(x) are

polynomial functions, and q(x) is
not a zero function. The domain of
f(x) is all values of x where q(x) ≠ 0.
A rational function is the
ratio of one polynomial
function to another
polynomial function.
 2+ x
f ( x) =

Which of the following are

x +1

rational functions?

2+ x
f ( x) =
x +1
 2+ x
f ( x) =

Which of the following are

x +1

rational functions?

x +2
f ( x) = 2
x −4
 2+ x
f ( x) =

Which of the following are

x +1

rational functions?
1
2 + x − 3x
2
f ( x) = 2
x + 2x +1
 2+ x
f ( x) =

Which of the following are

x +1

rational functions?

x − 4x − 5
2
f ( x) =
x+3
 2+ x
f ( x) =

Which of the following are

x +1

rational functions?

3
x −1
f ( x) =
x +1
 2+ x

Which of the following are

f ( x) =
x +1

rational functions?

x +1
h( x ) =
x−2
Remember:
A rational function can be
represented through its
equation, table of values,
or graph.
Example 1:
An object is to travel a
distance of 10 meters.
Express velocity v as a
function of travel time t, in
seconds.
 t
(seconds) 1 2 4 5 10
v (meters/
second) 10 5 2.5 2 1

Answer:
10
v(t ) =
t
 𝟏𝟎𝟎, 𝟎𝟎𝟎
Example 2: 𝒚=
𝒙
The local barangay received a
budget of Php 100,000 to provide
medical check-ups for the children in the
barangay. The amount is to be allotted
equally among all the children in the
barangay. Write an equation
representing the relationship of the
allotted amount per child (y) versus the
total number of children (x).
 𝟏𝟎𝟎,𝟎𝟎𝟎
Example 3: g(x)=
𝒙
+ 𝟕𝟓𝟎

A philanthropist wants to
supplement the budget allotted for
each child by providing an additional
Php 750 for each child in the
barangay. If g(x) represents this new
amount allotted for each child,
construct a function representing
this relationship.
Example 4:
5t
Suppose that c(t ) = 2 (in
t +1
mg/mL) represents the concentration
of a drug in a patient’s bloodstream t
hours after the drug was administered.
Construct a table of values for c(t) for t
= 1, 2, 5, 10. Round off answers to
three decimal places. Interpret the
results.
 5t
c(t ) = 2
t +1
t 0 1 2 5 10
c(t) 0 2.5 2 0.962 0.495

Interpretation:
The maximum drug concentration occurs around 1
hour after the drug was administered. After 1 hour, the
drug concentration decreases until it is almost zero.
 How do you
distinguish
rational functions,
rational equations,
and
rational inequalities?
 2 3 1
𝑎. − =
𝑥 2𝑥 5

5 2
𝑏. ≤
𝑥−3 𝑥

𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 3
𝑐. 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥+1
 Remember:
A rational equation or inequality
can be solved for all x values that satisfy
the equation or inequality. Whereas we
solve an equation or inequality, we do not
“solve” functions. A function expresses
the relationship between two variables,
and can be represented by a table of
values or a graph.
 Rational Rational Rational
Equation Inequality Function
An An inequality A function of the
equation involving form f(x) = p(x)/q(x)
Definition involving rational where p(x) and q(x)
rational expressions are polynomials, and
expressions q(x) is not the zero
function.

2 3 1 5 2 x 2 + 2x + 3
Example − =  f ( x) =
x 2x 5 x − 3 x x +1
Identify whether the given is a rational function,
a rational equation, a rational inequality or
none of these.
2+ x x+3
f ( x) = 6 − 2
=8 x −5
x −1 RF
RE 7
2x 
RI x+4
RE
x x+2
x 4
=
None of these 2 x + 9x 3
Rational Expression
A rational expression can be written in the form
A
B
where A and B are polynomials and B ≠ 0.

Examples
7 x2 − x − 6 x 2 + 7 x + 10
ab x+2 x+5
Simplifying Rational Expression
1. Factor the numerator and denominator.
2. Write a product of two rational expressions,
one factor containing the GCF of the
numerator and denominator, and the other
containing the remaining factors.
3. Rewrite the factor containing the GCF as 1.
4. Multiply the remaining factors by 1.
Example 1
Simplify a + 2a .
2

2a + 4
Solution:
a + 2a a ( a + 2 )
2
=
2a + 4 2 ( a + 2 )
a
=
2
Adding and Subtracting Rational
Expression with Like Denominators
1. Add (or subtract) the numerators.
2. Retain the common denominator.
3. Simplify the result.

Adding and Subtracting Rational

Expression with Different Denominators
1. Find the least common denominator (LCD).
2. Write the equivalent expression of each rational
expression.
3. Add or subtract the numerators and keep the LCD.
4. Simplify the result, if possible.
Example 2A
2a 3 .
Find the sum of and
4b 4b
Solution:

2a 3 2a + 3
+ =
4b 4b 4b
Example 2B
Add 8d - 3 and 4d +12 .
9 9
8d - 3 4d +12 8d - 3+ 4d +12
Solution: + =
9 9 9
12d + 9
=
9
3 ( 4d + 3)
=
9
4d + 3
=
3
Multiplying Rational Expression

1. Multiply the numerators and

denominators.
2. Write the resulting numerator and
denominator in factored form.
3. Divide out any numerator factor
with matching denominator factor.
4. Simplify, if possible.
Example 3
a5
5
Multiply and .
10 a 3

Solution:
a5 5 5a 5
× 3 =
10 a 10a 3
5a 3 × a 2
=
5a × 2
3

a2
=
2
Rational Equation
A rational equation is an equation that
contains one or more rational expressions.

Example

1 1 4 x 2
1
= x + = -5 =
x 5- x x x +1 x +1
Solving Rational Equation
1. Eliminate the rational
expressions in the equation by
multiplying both sides of the
equation by the LCD.
2. Solve the equation.
3. Check your solution.
Example 4A
Solve for x. x 1 x
+ =
5 4 2
Solution:
æx 1ö æxö
20 ç + ÷ = 20 ç ÷
è5 4ø è2ø
4x + 5 = 10 x
5 = 6x
5
=x
6
Example 4B
Solve for x. 1 3 1
= -
4 x 2
Solution: 1 3 1
= -
4 x 2
æ1ö æ3 1ö
4x ç ÷ = 4x ç - ÷
è4ø è x 2ø
x = 12 - 2x
3x = 12
x=4
Example 4C
4x +1 12
Solve for x. -3= 2
x +1 x -1
Solution: 4x +1 12
-3= 2
x +1 x -1
æ 4x +1 ö æ 12 ö
( x +1) ( x -1) çè - 3÷ = ( x +1) ( x -1) çç ÷÷
x +1 ø è ( x +1) ( x -1) ø
( 4x +1) ( x -1) - 3 ( x +1) ( x -1) = 12
4x 2 - 3x -1- 3x 2 + 3 = 12
x 2 - 3x -10 = 0
( x - 5) ( x + 2) = 0
x=5
x = -2