Pre-Calculus/Trigonometry

9-STE
October 15, 2021
Lesson 4: Rational Expressions
Rational Expression
• A quotient of two algebraic expressions is called a fractional
expression. Here are some examples:
2𝑥 𝑦−2 𝑥3 − 𝑥 𝑥
𝑥−1 𝑦2 + 4 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 6 𝑥2 + 1
• A rational expression is a fraction expression in which both the
numerator and denominator are polynomials. For example, the first
three expression in the above example list are rational expressions,
but the fourth is not, since its denominator contains a radical.
The Domain of an Algebraic Expression
• The domain of an algebraic expression is the set of real numbers that
the variable is permitted to have. The table below gives some basic
expressions and their domains.
Expressions Domain
1
𝑥|𝑥 ≠ 0
𝑥
𝑥 𝑥|𝑥 ≥ 0
1
𝑥|𝑥 > 0
𝑥
Example 1
Find the domain of the following expressions.
1. 2𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 1
𝑥
2.
𝑥 2 −5𝑥+6
𝑥
3.
𝑥−5
Simplifying Rational Expressions
To simplify rational expressions, we factor both numerator and
denominator and use the following property of fractions:
𝐴𝐶 𝐴
=
𝐵𝐶 𝐵
This allows us to cancel common factors from the numerator and
denominator.
Example 2
Simplify:
𝑥2 − 1
𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 2
Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions
To multiply rational expressions, we use the following property of
fractions:
𝐴 𝐶 𝐴𝐶
⋅ =
𝐵 𝐷 𝐵𝐷
This says that to multiply two fractions, we multiply their numerators
and multiply their denominators.
Example 3
Perform the indicated multiplication and simplify:
𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 3 3𝑥 + 12
2
⋅
𝑥 + 8𝑥 + 16 𝑥 − 1
Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions
To divide rational expressions, we use the following property of
fractions:
𝐴 𝐶 𝐴 𝐷 𝐴𝐷
÷ = ⋅ =
𝐵 𝐷 𝐵 𝐶 𝐵𝐶
This says that to divide a fraction by another fraction, we invert the
divisor and multiply.
Example 4
Perform the indicated division and simplify:
𝑥 − 4 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 4
2
÷ 2
𝑥 − 4 𝑥 + 5𝑥 + 6
Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions
To add or subtract rational expressions, we first find a common
denominator and then use the following property of fractions:
𝐴 𝐵 𝐴±𝐵
± =
𝐶 𝐶 𝐶
Although any common denominator will work, it is best to use the least
common denominator (LCD) as explained in Lesson 1. The LCD is found
by factoring each denominator and taking the product of the distinct
factors, using the highest power that appears in any of the factors.
Example 5
Perform the indicated operations and simplify.
3 𝑥
1. +
𝑥−1 𝑥+2
1 2
2. 2 −
𝑥 −1 𝑥+1 2
Compound Fractions
A compound or complex fraction is a fraction in which the numerator,
the denominator, or both, are themselves fractional expressions.
Example 6
Simplify:
𝑥
+1
𝑦
𝑦
1−
𝑥
Example 7
Simplify:
1 + 𝑥2 1Τ2 − 𝑥2 1 + 𝑥2 −1Τ2

1 + 𝑥2
Rationalizing the Denominator or the
Numerator
If a fraction has a denominator of the form 𝐴 + 𝐵 𝐶, we can
rationalize the denominator by multiplying numerator and
denominator by the conjugate radical 𝐴 − 𝐵 𝐶. This works because,
by Special Product Formula 1 in Lesson 1, the product of the
denominator and its conjugate radical does not contain a radical:

𝐴 + 𝐵 𝐶 𝐴 − 𝐵 𝐶 = 𝐴2 − 𝐵2 𝐶
Example 8
Rationalize the denominator:
1
1+ 2
Example 9
Rationalize the numerator:
4+ℎ−2
ℎ
Activity 4
I. Find the domain of the II. Perform the indicated
expression. operation and simplify.
1. −𝑥 4 + 𝑥 3 + 9𝑥 𝑥 2 +2𝑥𝑦+𝑦 2 2𝑥 2 −𝑥𝑦−𝑦 2
4. 2 2 ⋅ 2
2𝑡 2 −5 2𝑥 −𝑦 𝑥 −𝑥𝑦−2𝑦 2
2. 2𝑥 −3𝑥−2
3𝑡+6 𝑥2 −1
𝑥+1 5. 2𝑥2 +5𝑥+2
3. 𝑥2 +𝑥−2
2𝑥+3 𝑢
6. 𝑢+1+
𝑢+1
𝑥 2
7. −
𝑥 2 +𝑥−2 𝑥 2 −5𝑥+4
𝑥 1 2
8. − −
𝑥 2 −𝑥−6 𝑥+2 𝑥−3
Activity 4
III. Simplify the fractional IV. Rationalize the denominator.
𝑦
expressions. 13.
1 1 3+ 𝑦
−
1+𝑥+ℎ 1+𝑥 2 𝑥−𝑦
9. 14.
ℎ 𝑥− 𝑦
𝑥+ℎ 3 −7 𝑥+ℎ − 𝑥 3 −7𝑥
10. V. Rationalize the numerator.
ℎ
3 𝑥+2 2 𝑥−3 2 − 𝑥+2 3 2 𝑥−3 𝑥− 𝑥+ℎ
11. 15.
𝑥−3 4 ℎ 𝑥 𝑥+ℎ
3
7−3𝑥 1Τ2 +2𝑥 7−3𝑥 −1Τ2 16. 𝑥2 + 1 −𝑥
12.
7−3𝑥
Performance
Assessment 2
Analyze the problem and answer the following
question. Write your answer in a separate long bond
paper.
1. A square field in a certain state park is mowed
around the edges every week. The rest of the field
is kept unmowed to serve as a habitat for birds
and small animals (see figure). The field measures
𝑏 feet by 𝑏 feet, and the mowed strip is 𝑥 feet
wide.
a) Explain why the area of the mowed portion is
𝑏2 − 𝑏 − 2𝑥 2 .
b) Factor the expression in part (a) to show that
the area of the mowed portion is also
4𝑥 𝑏 − 𝑥 .
Performance Assessment 2

2. If two electrical resistors with resistances 𝑅1