Week 2 AS Rational Function
Week 2 AS Rational Function
Week 2 AS Rational Function
Week 2
Points to Remember
A rational expression is a quotient of two polynomials such that the denominator is not equal to
zero.
𝑝(𝑥)
A rational function takes the form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑞(𝑥), where 𝑝(𝑥) and 𝑞(𝑥) are both polynomials in
𝑥 and 𝑞(𝑥) is not equal to zero.
An equality that involves rational expressions is called a rational equation.
If an inequality involves rational expressions, it is called a rational inequality.
In solving rational equations, it is important to notice if the denominators are the same. If not,
look for the least common denominator and simplify.
In solving rational inequalities, write all the terms on one side of the inequality as a single
rational expression while the other side has the number zero. Then find the zeroes (from the
numerator) and the undefined points (from the denominator).Use these zeroes and undefined
points to divide the number line into intervals and find the sign of the rational inequality on each
interval.
The domain of a rational function is the set of all 𝑥’s that will make the function defined that is,
the value of all 𝑥’s in the denominator is not equal to zero.
The range of a rational function is the possible values of 𝑦 of the rational function given the
possible value of 𝑥.
2 3𝑥 3
Rational expression: 𝑥,
Example 1 4𝑥
𝑥 −𝑥+3
Rational function: 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥−1, 𝑦 =𝑥 2 −5
3 5 𝑥+1 2𝑥+3
Rational equation: = , =
𝑥 𝑥−1 8 4
1 −2 𝑥−5 3𝑥
Rational inequality: > , ≤
𝑥 𝑥−1 7 −𝑥+2
Solve for 𝑥.
Example 2 5 3 11
1) 2𝑥 + 4𝑥 = 12
Activity Sheet in General Mathematics Urdaneta City National High School
Writer: Stenely R. Soriano
𝑥 5 11
2) + =
𝑥−5 𝑥 6
𝑥−1
3) 𝑥+2
≤2
Solution: 3 1 7
1) 12𝑥(2𝑥 + 4𝑥) = (12)12𝑥
18 + 3 = 7𝑥
21 = 7𝑥
𝑥=3
𝑥 5 11
2) (6𝑥 − 5) (𝑥−5 + 𝑥) = ( 6 )(6𝑥 − 5)
6𝑥 2 + 30(𝑥 − 5) = 11𝑥(𝑥 − 5)
6𝑥 2 + 30𝑥 − 150 = 11𝑥 2 − 55𝑥
5𝑥 2 − 85𝑥 + 150 = 0
5𝑥 2 − 85𝑥 + 150 0
=
5 5
𝑥 2 − 17𝑥 + 30 = 0
(𝑥 − 15)(𝑥 − 2) = 0
𝑥 = 15 and 𝑥 = 2
𝑥−1
3) 𝑥+2 ≤ 2
𝑥−1
−2≤0
𝑥+2
𝑥 − 1 − 2(𝑥 + 2)
≤0
𝑥+2
−𝑥 − 5
≤0
𝑥+2
Find the critical numbers
−𝑥 − 5 = 0 and 𝑥 + 2 = 0
𝑥 = −5 and 𝑥 = −2
The intervals that are possible solutions are: 𝑥 < −5, −5 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ −2,
and 𝑥 > −2.
Test the intervals which will make the inequality true to find the
correct solution.
𝑥 < −5 −5 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ −2 𝑥 > −2
−𝑥 − 5 + − −
𝑥+2 − − +
−𝑥 − 5 − + −
𝑥+2
Since the inequality symbol is ≤, the interval that yields a negative sig
is the solution set. Therefore, the solution set is (−∞ − 5) ∪
(−2, +∞).
3𝑥
2) 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥−2
Solution: 1) The domain and range of the function 𝑓are both sets of real numbers
except the number zero.
Activity Sheet in General Mathematics Urdaneta City National High School
Writer: Stenely R. Soriano
Activity 1
Classify if the given is a rational expression, rational equation, rational function, or rational
inequality. Write REX, REQ, RF or RI on the space provided.
1. 𝑥 2 + 10
__________ 𝑓(𝑥) =
2𝑥
2. 5 − 3𝑥 4
=
__________ 𝑥 𝑥+5
3. 7𝑥 2
__________ 2𝑥 − 1
4. 𝑥2 3 1
__________ − =
3 4𝑥 2
5. −3𝑥
__________ 6+𝑥
6. 𝑥2 − 4
__________ 𝑦=
2+𝑥
__________ 7. 5𝑥 − 3 1
<
𝑥 𝑥+2
__________ 8. 𝑥
𝑔(𝑥) =
3𝑥 − 2
__________ 9. 𝑥+2 𝑥2
≥
5 1+𝑥
__________ 10. 4𝑥 1−𝑥
=
𝑥−5 𝑥