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Mathematics
Quarter 1 - Module 3
Rational Algebraic Expressions
Mathematics – Grade 8
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Quarter 1, Module 3: Rational Algebraic Expressions
First Edition

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Published by the Department of Education- Division of Gingoog City

Division Superintendent: Jesnar Dems S. Torrres, PhD, CESO VI

Development team of the module

Writer: Dhalia M. Griffith
Reviewer: Ma. Cristina B. Galgo, Elsa A. Monteza
Illustrator and Lay- Jay Michael A. Calipusan
out Artist:

Management Team
Chairperson: Jesnar Dems S. Torres, PhD, CESO VI
Schools Division Superintendent
Co-Chairperson: Conniebel C. Nistal
OIC, Office of the Schools Division Superintendent

Pablito B. Altubar
CID Chief
Members: Ma. Cristina B. Galgo, EPS
Himaya B. Sinatao, LRMS Manager
Jay Michael A. Calipusan, PDO II
Mercy M. Caharian, Librarian II

Printed in the Philippines by

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Office Address: Brgy 23, National Highway, Gingoog City
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This page is intentionally blank
 Table of Contents

What This Module is About .............................................................................. i

What I Need to Know ....................................................................................... i
How to Learn from this Module ........................................................................ i
Icons of this Module ....................................................................................... ii
What I Know .................................................................................................. iii

Lesson 1:
Rational Algebraic Expression ............................................ 1

What I Need to Know ........................................................................... 1

What’s New: Where do I Belong? ........................................................ 2
What Is It ............................................................................................. 3
What’s More ....................................................................................... 4
What I Have Learned: Generalization ................................................. 5
What I Can Do: Write My Number ....................................................... 6

Lesson 2:
Simplification of Rational Algebraic Expression............... 7

What’s In : Match Me ........................................................................... 7

What is It ............................................................................................. 8
What’s More : How Simple I am ......................................................... 10
What I Have Learned: Generalization ................................................ 10
What I Can Do: Low, Low, Low! ........................................................ 11

Summary ...................................................................................................... 12
Glossary of Terms…..................................................................................... 13
Assessment: (Post-Test) .............................................................................. 14
Key to Answers............................................................................................. 15
References ................................................................................................... 17
What This Module is About

In the world of Mathematics, you have encountered all kinds of expressions.

Mathematical expressions such as the polynomials are what you learned from your last two
modules. You were able to factor those expressions using different techniques.
In this module, you will learn rational algebraic expressions. You will translate verbal
expressions to mathematical expressions.

What I Need to Know

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

• Illustrate Rational Algebraic Expression (M8AL- Ic-1);
• Rewrite negative integral exponents into positive exponents; and
• Simplify Rational Algebraic Expression (M8AL- Ic-2).

How to Learn from this Module

To achieve the objectives cited above, you are to do the following:
1. Carefully read all the lessons.
2. Take your time on going thru each lesson.
3. Answer the pretest honestly, the purpose of the pretest is for you to determine your
prior knowledge before going thru the lessons and activities.
4. If you have a hard time understanding the lessons and activities, please do take a
break. Having breaks between lessons and activities will give you some space where
you can absorb the lesson well.
5. You can use the internet if you need more information about the lesson.

i
Icons of this Module
What I Need to This part cont
Know are set for yo
module.

What I know This is an as

knowledge to
meant specif
knowledge

What’s In This part con

that of the cu

What’s New An introductio

various acti
presented to

What is It These are dis

a way to d
understandin

What’s More These are f

intended for
order to mast

What I Have Activities des

Learned have learned

What I can do These are t

showcase y
gained, an
concerns and

ii
 What I Know
Multiple

I. Multiple Choice:

Directions: Read and answer the questions below. Write the letter of the correct answer
in your activity notebook.
1. Which of the following expressions has a zero denominator??
x 4 − 2x p
A. C.
m m−m
4y x 2 − 2x + 4x
B. 30
D.
x +2
2. What is the value of any real number raised to 0?
A. 0 C. 2
B. 1 D. 3
3. What value of the denominator makes the expression undefined?
A. 0 C. 2
B. 1 D. 3
4a + 8b
4. What is the simplest form of ?
12
A. a − 2b C. a + 2b
3 −3

B. a + 2b D. − a + 2b
3 3

5. What is the mathematical expression for five times a number b decreased by 4?

A. 5b+ 4 C. (5b)4
4
B. 5b D. 5b-4

II. True or False

Directions: Write “True” if the statement is true and write “False” if the statement is false.

1. a + 2b
a is a rational algebraic expression.
0
a 
2

2.   is equal to 1
 b3 
 
P
3. is a rational expression if P  1, Q = 0
Q
a 2 −16
4. (a+4) is the simplified form of .
a−4

iii
 1 is equal to g9.
5.
g −9

iv
Lesson
Rational Algebraic
1
Lesson Expressions:

What I Need to Know

Rational Algebraic Expressions

A rational algebraic expression is a ratio of two polynomials provided that the

P
denominator is not equal to zero. In symbols: , where P and Q are polynomials and Q  0.
Q
( Grade 8, Mathematics Learners’ Module).

Definition of Terms

Algebra- the part of mathematics in which letters and other general symbols are
used to represent numbers and quantities in formulae and equations.
Denominator- the part of a fraction that is the divisor of the ratio. It is found below the
line.
Expression- An expression is a sentence with a minimum of two numbers and at
least one math operation. This math operation can be addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Numerator- the part of a fraction that is above the line ad signifies the number to be
divided by the denominator.
Ratio- the quantitative relation between two amounts showing the number of
times one value contains or is contained within the other.
Rational Expression – a ratio of two polynomials.
Polynomials - is a particular type of algebraic expression consisting of one term or sum
of terms whose variable is raised to a positive integral power.
(Advance Algebra, Trigonometry and Statistics textbook for Fourth
Year.)

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 What’s New

Activity 1: Where Do I Belong?

Description: This activity will help you classify expressions into rational
algebraic expressions or not rational algebraic expressions based
from the given definition.
Direction: From the given expressions, write in column A, the rational
algebraic expressions and in column B, the non-rational algebraic
expressions.

Not Rational
Rational Algebraic
Algebraic
Expressions
Expressions

x 5k c n−2 1−m
A. +7
2 2(0) 5 + 7(c) n m −1

x6 x2−9 b x+6
• p−p x 2−0 0
x 4 − 2x +4
x

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 What Is It

In activity 1, you have classified rational algebraic expressions and not rational
algebraic expressions. You learned that if the ratio of two polynomials which the denominator
is not equal to zero is an algebraic expression.

Let’s take some examples from the activity.

x
1. +7
2

Notice that neither of the denominators of the expression is zero. The sum of the
expression will not also equate to zero. Therefore, it is a rational algebraic expression.

x+6
2.
0
It is very visible that the denominator of the given expression is zero, thus it is not a
rational algebraic expression.

3. x6
p−p
Though there is no zero quantity seen on the denominator of the expression, but
this is not a rational algebraic expression. Why? Because p − p = 0.

4. x 2 −16
Do you remember what factoring method can be used to factor this expression?
Difference of two squares.
What is the denominator? Is it 0? No. the denominator is not 0.
x 2 − 16
The denominator of our expression is 1. This would look like .
1
b
5.
2−0
You can see zero in the denominator, but this expression is a rational algebraic
expression.

Why?

b
2 − 0 = 2 thus, the simplified form of this is .
2

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 Why is it that if the denominator is equal to zero, the expression is not rational algebraic
expression? Because the denominator zero will make the expression undefined or
meaningless.

Like in real life, you work so hard to be at the top of your class, or to have
a perfect attendance to get a medal but your parents or teachers still don’t
recognize it. You feel worthless. Your effort is meaningless. The denominator of
your hard work is zero appreciation. And your goals became undefined! But know
this, your labor is not wasted. Your gain might not be seen but it’s like a seed, it
will grow and bear fruits at the right time.

What’s More

In the activities above, you had encountered rational algebraic expressions.

This next activity will define the meaning of algebraic expressions with integral
exponents including negative and zero exponents.

Recall the Laws of Exponents

I. Product of Powers- For any real number x, and any

positive integers a and b:

II. Power of a Power - For any real number x, and any

positive integers a and b:

III. Power of a Product - For any real number x, and any

positive integers a:

IV. Power of a Quotient - For all integers a and b, and any

nonzero number x.

Case 1: where a is greater than b

Case 2: where a is less than b

Zero Exponent: any real number x raised to zero is equal to

1:
(Grade 8 Mathematics Learners’ Module)

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Examples:
−6
1. d = 3. 12m0 = 12(1) or 12
245
ab d
2. 4. a b c d =
2 4 −8 5
c8

Activity 2: Rewrite each item below to expression/s with positive exponents. Write
your answer in your activity notebook.

1. m−6

d −7
2. .
e −8

3. a −3b −2
4. g 2 h −2o

5. jk −5 l 5

What I Have Learned

Activity 3: Generalization
Directions: Answer the questions and write your answers in your notebook.
1. What makes a polynomial a non-rational algebraic expression?

2. Define rational algebraic expression.

3. Differentiate rational expression and non rational expression.

4. Describe the process in rewriting negative exponents into positive exponents.

5. Illustrate rational algebraic expression.

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 What I Can do

Activity 4: Write my Number!

Directions: Look for the mathematical expression that corresponds to each verbal
phrase. The first one has been answered.

2
1. A number v added to the ratio of two and five +v
5
2. The cube root of g.

3. The square of u and the ratio of v and 7 _

4. The product of z and five less than the square of z _

5. The product of m and n divided byeight.

_

6. The ratio of c and 4 less the square of d.

mn v
5z − z 2 u2+
8 7

2 c
+v z 2  5z mn +8 −d2
5 4

c 2
d2− −v
4 5

This activity will help you translate verbal phrases to mathematical phrases which
is important in solving problems such real related problems which can be
modelled using rational algebraic expression.

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 Lesson
Simplification of Rational
Lesson2 Algebraic Expressions

What’s In

You have learned in lesson 1 the definition of rational algebraic expression and how to
illustrate rational algebraic expressions. You have also encountered zero and negative
exponents. You learned to rewrite negative exponents into positive exponents. In this new
lesson, you will encounter expressions that must be simplified. Your task is to simplify those
expressions to its lowest terms.

What’s New

Activity 1: Match Me

Directions: Match the fractions in column A to its equivalent in column B. Write the
letter only in your activity notebook.

B
1. A.
The equivalents in
2. B. column B are the
simplified form of
3. C. the fractions in
Column A.

4. D.

5. E.

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 What Is It

In activity 1, you assessed yourself in simplifying simple fractions. This skill will help
you to simplify algebraic expressions that you will encounter on the next activities.

Simplifying Rational Algebraic Expressions

A rational algebraic expression is in its simplified form or lowest terms if its numerator
and denominator have no common factor except +1 and -1.
To simplify a rational expression, observe the following steps illustrated below.
1. Factor the numerator and the denominator;
2. Divide or cancel out common factors in the numerator and denominator.

Examples:

16 v 2 − 49
1. 3.
24 2v − 14
14x 2 x 2 + x − 42
2. 4.
28x x 2 − 36

Solutions:
16 8 •2
1. = Factoring by Common Monomial Factor
24 8 •3
2
= 1• Dividing common factors ( 8÷8=1)
3

2
= Simplified Form
3

14x 2 14 • x• x
2. = Factoring by Common Monomial Factor
28x 14 • 2 • x

x
= 1• Dividing common factors ( 14x÷14x=1)
2
x
= Lowest Term
3

v 2 − 49 (v + 7)(v − 7)
3. = Factoring by Difference of Two Squares
2v − 14 2(v − 7)
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Factoring

by

Common

Monomia

l Factor

9
 (v − 7)
(v + 7) • (v − 7)
= Grouping Common Factors
2
(v − 7)
(v + 7) • (v − 7) Cancelling common factors
(v − 7)
=
2 (v − 7)

(v + 7)
= Simplified Form
2

x 2 + x − 42 (x + 7)(x − 6)
4. = Factoring General Trinomials
x 2 − 36 (x + 6)(x − 6)
Factoring by Difference of Two Squares

= Cancellation Method

(x + 7)
= Simplified Form
(x + 6)

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 What’s More

Activity 2: How simple I am!

Direction: Write the simplest form of the given rational algebraic expressions.

Rational Algebraic Simplified

Expression Expression

a 2 + 6a + 5
1. a +1

2a 2 − a
2. a
18ab
3. 6b

What I Have Learned

A
Activity 3: Generalization

Directions: Answer the following questions below. Write your answer in your activity
notebook.
1. How are rational algebraic expressions being simplified? What methods are being
applied?

2. Is it important to identify factoring techniques that must be used to simplify rational

algebraic expressions? Why?

3. Do cancellation method and dividing common factors yield the same answer? Why?
Why not?

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 What I Can do

Activity 4: Low , Low, Low!

Directions: Reduce the following rational algebraic expressions to its lowest terms.
Hints:
x 2 + x − 20
1. Factor by general trinomial
x+5
− 20a 2b 2
2. Common monomial factor
8a 3b 3
x+1
3. Difference of Two Squares
x 2 −1
x2−9
4. Difference of Two Squares & CMF
x 2 − 3x
2uv
5. Common monomial factor
4uvw

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Summary
Now that you have completed two lessons, lets us summarize what you have
learned:
1. A rational algebraic expression is a ratio of two polynomials provided that the
P
denominator is not equal to zero. In symbols: , where P and Q are polynomials and
Q
Q  0.
2. Rate related problems can be modeled using rational algebraic expressions.
3. Any expression not equal to zero raised to a zero exponent is always equal to 1.
4. When an expression is raised to a negative integral exponent, it is the same as the
multiplicative inverse of the expression.
5. A rational algebraic expression is said to be in its lowest terms if its numerator and
denominator have no common factor except +1 and -1.
To reduce a rational expression into its lowest terms, observe the following steps
shown below.
- Factor the numerator and the denominator;
- Divide or cancel out common factors in the numerator and denominator.

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Glossary of Terms

Algebra- the part of mathematics in which letters and other general symbols are
used to represent numbers and quantities in formulae and equations.
Denominator- the part of a fraction that is the divisor of the ratio. It is found below the
line.
Expression- An expression is a sentence with a minimum of two numbers and at
least one math operation. This math operation can be addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Numerator- the part of a fraction that is above the line ad signifies the number to be
divided by the denominator.
Rate Related Problems- problems involving rates.
Ratio- the quantitative relation between two amounts showing the number of
times one value contains or is contained within the other.
Rational algebraic expression is a ratio of two polynomials provided that the
P
denominator is not equal to zero. In symbols: , where
Q
P and Q are polynomials and Q  0.

Rational Expression – a ratio of two polynomials.

Polynomials - is a particular type of algebraic expression consisting of one term or sum

of terms whose variable is raised to a positive integral power.
(Advance Algebra, Trigonometry and Statistics textbook for Fourth
Year.)

14
 Assessment: (Post-Test)

I. Multiple Choice:
Direction: Read and answer the questions below. Write the letter of the correct answer in
your activity notebook.
1. Which of the following expressions equates the denominator to 0?
x 4 − 2x p
A. C.
m m−m
4y x 2 − 2x + 4x
B. 30
x +2
D.
2. Expressed in mathematical expression “a number m raised to the 2nd power.
A. m1 C. m-2
B. m 2
D. 2m
3. What value of the denominator makes the expression undefined?
A. 0 C. 2
B. 1 D. 3
24a + 8b
4. What is the simplest form of ?
12
A. 2a − 8b C. 2a + 8b
B. a + 8b D. 2a + b
2x − 10
5. What is the simplified form of ?
x−5
A. 1 C. 3
B. 2 D. 4

II. True or False

Direction: Write “True” if the statement is true and write “False” if the statement is
false.

1
1. is equal to g9.
−9
g

2. is read as the cube root three over y. .

y
x+ y
3. (x − y)0 is equal to x+y.

5h + 9 is read as five times a number h increased by nine.

4. 2x 8x
is the simplified expression of .
5. 3y 12xy
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 Key to Answers

Pre-Test
I. Multiple Choice II. True or False
1. C 1. True
2. B 2. True
3. A 3. False
4. B 4. True
5. B 5. True
Post Test
I. Multiple Choice
1. C
2. B
3. A
4. C
5. B
II. True or false

1. TRUE
2. False
3. True
4. True
5. False

Lesson I
Activity 1 Where do I belong
Rational Algebraic Expressions Not Rational Algebraic Expressions

x x2−9 5k x6
• +7
2 x 2(0) p−p
c b
•
5 + 7c 2−0
n−2 x 4 − 2x + 4 x+6
•
n x 0
1− m
•
m −1

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Activity 2
1
1.
m6
8
2. e
d7
1
3.
a 32b 2
g o
4.
h2
jl 5
5.
k5

Activity 3.
Generalizations
Activity 4.
1. Given
2. 3
v
3. u2+
7
4. z 2  5x
mn
5. 8
c
−d2
6. 4

Lesson 2: Simplifying Rational Algebraic Expressions

Activity 1 Match Me

1 1
1. 4.
2 3
2 1
2. 5.
3 4
3
3.
4

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Activity 2. How Simple I am
1. a+5
2. 2a-1
3. 3a

Activity 3 Generalization

Activity 4 Low, Low, Low

1. x-4
−5
2.
2ab
3. x-1
x+3
4.
x
1
5.
2w

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References
Mathematics Learner’s Module Grade 8
College Algebra, 2013 Edition, Fe G. Partible, Beda H. Esller, Milna K.
Cabrera, Roland S. Zorilla, Violeta C. Mendoza
https://www.google.com/search?q=ratio
https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHBD_enPH897PH897&sxsrf=ALeKk01UaE
Z-
M7v_1Fxax1OrRqsU7OMOzQ%3A1592954686490&ei=Po_yXpW7HYK1mAXIlpfoCA
&q=algebra+meaning&oq=algebra+meaning&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQARgAMgUIABC
RAjIGCAAQBxAeMgcIABAUEIcCMgYIABAHEB4yBggAEAcQHjIGCAAQBxAeMgYIAB
AHEB4yBggAEAcQHjIGCAAQBxAeMgYIABAHEB46BAgAEEc6BwgjELACECdQ7mF
YgmRg33VoAHABeACAAb0BiAHGApIBAzAuMpgBAKABAaoBB2d3cy13aXo&sclient=
psy-ab
https://www.splashlearn.com/math-vocabulary/number-sense/expression

19
For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:
Department of Education – Division of Gingoog City
Brgy. 23, National Highway, Gingoog City
Telefax: 088 -328-0108/088328-0118
E-mail Address: [email protected]

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