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 GENERAL
MATHEMATICS

SBIS

CHAPTER 2: Lesson 3
PROBLEMS INVOLVING
RATIONAL EQUATIONS
AND INEQUALITIES
Prepared by: Sir Cristopher R. Nuevo, LPT

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 SBIS 1
Represents real-life situations using
rational functions.

Objectives
At the end of
the lesson, you Distinguishes rational function, rational
2 equation, and rational inequality.
should be able
to:

Solves rational equations and inequalities.

3

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 SBIS 4
Solves problems involving rational
functions, equations, and inequalities.

Objectives
At the end of
the lesson, you
should be able
to:

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 Learn About it! What is the difference
between a rational function,
from a rational equation,
from a rational inequality?

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𝑃(𝑥)
Rational Function is on the form 𝑓 𝑥 = where 𝑃(𝑥) and
𝑄(𝑥)
𝑄(𝑥) are polynomial function and 𝑄(𝑥) are polynomial function and
𝑄(𝑥) is not a zero function 𝑄(𝑥) ≠ 0 .

Example:
4𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 1
𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥+1

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Rational Equation is an equation containing at least one

rational expression. Usually, a rational expression contains variable in
the denominator. With this, it is a must to assure that the
denominator is not zero.

5 3 17
− =
𝑥 4𝑥 4𝑥

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Rational Inequality is a mathematical statement that relates a

rational expression as either less than or greater than another.
Note: The zeros of the numerator and the denominator are called
critical numbers.

Example:
4𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 1 3
≥
𝑥+1 4𝑥 + 5
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PRETEST

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Identify whether the given is a rational equation, rational

inequality, or rational function.
𝑥 𝑥+1
1. =
𝑥−3 −4
𝑥−3
2. ≤0
𝑥+1
𝑥+2
3. 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥−5
𝑥−3 1 𝑥−5
4. 2 = − 2
𝑥 +3𝑥 𝑥+3 𝑥 +3𝑥
2𝑥+5
5. +3≥0
𝑥−5
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 PROBLEMS INVOLVING
RATIONAL EQUATIONS
AND INEQUALITIES
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 Learn About it!

RATIONAL EQUATION

Rational Equation is an equation containing at least one

rational expression. Usually, a rational expression contains variable in
the denominator. With this, it is a must to assure that the
denominator is not zero.

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 Learn About it!

RATIONAL EQUATION

To solve rational equation:

1. Eliminate denominators by multiplying each term of the
equation by the least common denominator.
2. Note that eliminating denominators may introduce
extraneous solutions. Check the solutions of the
transformed equations with the original equation.

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Example 1:
2 3 1
Solve − = .
𝑥 2𝑥 5

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Example 1:
2 3 1
Solve − = .
𝑥 2𝑥 5
Solution:
The LCD of all denominator is 10𝑥.
2 3 1
10𝑥 − 10𝑥 = 10𝑥
𝑥 2𝑥 5
20 − 15 = 2𝑥
5 = 2𝑥
5
𝑥=
2
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Example 2:
𝑥 1 8
Solve − = 2 .
𝑥+2 𝑥−2 𝑥 −4

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Example 2:
𝑥 1 8
Solve − = 2 .
𝑥+2 𝑥−2 𝑥 −4
Solution:
LCD: (𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 2)
𝑥 1 8
− =
𝑥 + 2 𝑥 − 2 (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 2)
𝑥 1
𝑥+2 𝑥−2 − 𝑥+2 𝑥−2
𝑥+2 𝑥−2
8
= (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 2)
𝑥+2 𝑥−2
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Solution:
𝑥 1
𝑥+2 𝑥−2 − 𝑥+2 𝑥−2
𝑥+2 𝑥−2
8
= 𝑥+2 𝑥−2
𝑥+2 𝑥−2
𝑥−2 𝑥− 𝑥+2 1=8
𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 𝑥 − 2 = 8
𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 2 − 8 = 0
𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 10 = 0

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Solution:

𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 10 = 0
𝑥−5 𝑥+2 =0
𝑥−5=0 𝑥+2=0
𝑥= 5 𝑥 = −2

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INTERVAL NOTATION

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Rational Inequality

Rational Inequality is a mathematical statement that relates a

rational expression as either less than or greater than another.

Note: The zeros of the numerator and the denominator are called
critical numbers.

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 Learn About it!

RATIONAL INEQUALITY

To solve rational inequality:

1. Rewrite the inequality as a single fraction on one side of
the inequality symbol and zero on the other side, as
much as possible make the numerator and denominator
in factored form.

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RATIONAL INEQUALITY

To solve rational inequality:

2. Plot the critical numbers on a number line. The zeros of
the denominator will not be included in the solution (not
shaded). The zeros of the numerator will not be included
(not shaded) in the solution if there is no equal sign
below the inequality symbol. Otherwise, the zeros of the
numerator will be included in the solution (shaded).
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RATIONAL INEQUALITY

To solve rational inequality:

3. Identify the intervals made by plotting the critical
numbers. Choose a test value in each interval and
construct a table. The sign of the rational expression at
this point is also the sign of the rational expression at
each interior point in the aforementioned interval.

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RATIONAL INEQUALITY

To solve rational inequality:

4. Use the table to determine which interval satisfy the
inequality. If the inequality is of the form 𝑓 𝑥 < 0 or
𝑓 𝑥 ≤ 0, then all intervals with the negative sign are
solutions. If the inequality is of the form 𝑓 𝑥 > 0 or
𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 0, then all intervals with the positive sign are
solutions.
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Example 3:
5 3
Solve − < .
𝑥−4 𝑥+1

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Example 3:
5 3
Solve − < .
𝑥−4 𝑥+1
Solution:
Step 1
−5 3
− <0
𝑥−4 𝑥+1
−5 𝑥 + 1 − 3 𝑥 − 4
<0
(𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + 1)
−5𝑥 − 5 − 3𝑥 + 12
<0
(𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + 1)
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Solution:
−5𝑥 − 5 − 3𝑥 + 12
<0
(𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + 1)
−8𝑥 + 7
<0
(𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + 1)

The critical numbers are the zeros of the numerator and denominator.
Numerator: −8𝑥 + 7 = 0

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Solution:

−8𝑥 + 7
<0
(𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + 1)

The critical numbers are the zeros of the numerator and denominator.
Numerator: −8𝑥 + 7 = 0
−8𝑥 = −7
7
𝑥=
8
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Solution:
Numerator: −8𝑥 + 7 = 0
−8𝑥 = −7
7
𝑥=
8
Denominator:
𝑥−4 𝑥+1 =0

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Solution:
7
Numerator: 𝑥=
8

Denominator:

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(−∞, −1) 7 7 (4, ∞)

−1, ,4
Step 3 8 8
Test point −2 0 1 5
−8𝑥 + 7 + + − −
𝑥−4 − − − +
𝑥+1 − + + +
−8𝑥 + 7
(𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + 1)
+ − + −
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(−∞, −1) 7 7 (4, ∞)

−1, ,4
Step 4 8 8
−8𝑥 + 7
(𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + 1)
+ − + −
Since 𝑓 𝑥 < 0, all intervals with negative sign will be the
solution. Hence, the solution is
𝟕
−𝟏, ∪ 𝟒, ∞
𝟖
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Example 4:
𝑥 2 −3𝑥−10
Solve ≥2
1−𝑥

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Example 4:
𝑥 2 −3𝑥−10
Solve ≥2
1−𝑥
Solution:
𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 10
−2≥0
2
1−𝑥
𝑥 − 3𝑥 − 10 − 2(1 − 𝑥)
≥0
2
1−𝑥
𝑥 − 3𝑥 − 10 − 2 + 2𝑥
≥0
1−𝑥
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Example 4:
𝑥 2 −3𝑥−10
Solve ≥2
1−𝑥
Solution:
𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 10 − 2 + 2𝑥
≥0
2
1−𝑥
𝑥 − 𝑥 − 12
≥0
1−𝑥
𝑥−4 𝑥+3
≥0
1−𝑥
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Example 4:
𝑥 2 −3𝑥−10
Solve ≥2
1−𝑥
Solution:
𝑥−4 𝑥+3
≥0
1−𝑥
The critical numbers are the zeros of the numerator and denominator.
Numerator: 𝑥 − 4 𝑥 + 3 = 0
𝑥−4=0 𝑥+3=0
𝑥=4 𝑥 = −3
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Solution:
Denominator:
1−𝑥 =0
𝑥=1

Numerator: 𝑥 − 4 𝑥 + 3 = 0
𝑥−4=0 𝑥+3=0
𝑥=4 𝑥 = −3
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Step 3
(−∞, −3] [−3,1) (1,4] [4, ∞)
Test point −4 0 2 5
𝑥−4 − − − +
𝑥+3 − + + +
1−𝑥 + + − −
𝑥−4 𝑥+3
+ − + −
1&−
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Step 4 (−∞, −3] [−3,1) (1,4] [4, ∞)

𝑥−4 𝑥+3 + − + −
1−𝑥

Since 𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 0, all intervals with positive sign will be

the solution. Hence, the solution is
(−∞, −𝟑] ∪ (𝟏, 𝟒]
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 Key Point

Steps in Solving Rational Equation

1. Find the value/s that will make the equation undefined.
2. Eliminate the denominators by multiplying each term by the
lowest common denominator.
3. Solve the equation.
4. Check for any extraneous solution.

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 Key Point

Steps in Solving Rational Inequalities

1. Rewrite the inequality as a single fraction on one side of the
inequality symbol and 0 on the other side.

2. Determine over what intervals the fraction takes on positive

and negative values.
a. Locate the x – values for which the rational expression is
zero or undefined. Factor the numerator and denominator.

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 Key Point

Steps in Solving Rational Inequalities

b. Mark the numbers found in (a.) on a number line. Use a shaded
circle to indicate that the value is included in the solution set, and a
hollow circle to indicate that the value is excluded. These numbers
divide the number line into intervals.
c. Select a test point within the interior of each interval in (b.). The
sign of the rational expression at this test point is also the sign of
the rational expression at each interior point in the interval.
d. Choose the interval that satisfy the sign of the inequality.
Summarize the interval containing the solutions.
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 Check your Understanding

A. Find the solutions for each rational equation below.

3 2
1. =
𝑥+1 𝑥−3
2 5
2. + = 2
𝑥+1 2𝑥

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 Check your Understanding

B. Find the solution set for each inequality below.

(𝑥+3)(𝑥−2)
1. ≥0
(𝑥+2)(𝑥−1)
(𝑥+4)(𝑥−3)
2. 2 ≥0
(𝑥−2)(𝑥 +2)

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