Week 3

Module 3: Rational
Algebraic Expressions
 WEEKLY TASK GUIDE
Hi student! Hi parents/guardians! We would like to help you manage the schedules of
your child. The table below is called the Weekly Task Guide. We included the prescribed
activity that must be finished for a day. You can ask your adviser for more
clarifications. We hope this helps.

Wee Day Activity Pag Date Parent’s Signature

k e Accomplished
1
(M) Activity 1 and
2

2
(T) Activity 3 and
2
4

3
(W) Activity 5 and
6

To be accomplished by the teacher:

Illustrating Rational Algebraic Expressions

Activity Score

Mathematics 8 |Quarter 1 |Week 3 | Page 2 of 11

 INFORMATION PAGE

Bible Theme:

Competencies:
M8AL-Ic1: Illustrates rational algebraic expressions.

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

Expressive Objectives
1)
2)
3)
4)

Instructional Objectives
1) illustrate rational algebraic expressions; and
2) find every value of the variables in the denominator that makes a
rational expression undefined.

Memory Verse: “

Assessment:

Materials Needed: Pen, Illustration Board & Other Art Materials

Page 3 of 11 |Mathematics 8 |Quarter 1 |Week 3

LESSON: Illustrating Rational Algebraic
Expressions
In your previous grade level, recall that ratio shows the comparative sizes of two

Other examples of ratio in fraction form are 1/8, 1/3, 𝑎/𝑏 or 𝑥/𝑦.
or more values such as 1:4, which can also be written in fraction form ¼.

Let us start this lesson by reviewing the concepts in translating verbal phrases to
mathematical expressions and identifying polynomials which you had learned in your
Mathematics 7.

Enjoy learning!

ENGAGE

Activity 1: Match It To Me
Directions: There are verbal phrases below. Look for the mathematical
expression in the figures that corresponds to each verbal phrase.

1. The ratio of a number x and four added to two

2. The product of the square root of three and the number y
3. The square of a added to twice the a
4. The sum of b and two less than the square of b
5. The product of p and q divided by three
6. One-third of the square of c
7. Ten times a number x increased by six
8. The cube of the number decreased by nine
9. The cube root of nine less than a number w
10.A number h raised to the fourth power

1
x pq 1
+2 3
2
a +2 a n
3
9- w
2
4

3 2 2
−
b
2
c
2
w - √3 9
2 x x2 (b+ 2) 3
c
√3 y
10 y
+4
10 x+ 6 y z −9
3
√3 y
2
2
x −1 2 4 z
3
2 b −(b +2) h
x −2 x +1

Questions:
1. What must be considered in translating verbal phrases to mathematical
phrases?
2. Will you consider these mathematical phrases as polynomials? Why or why
not?
3. How will you describe a polynomial?

Mathematics 8 |Quarter 1 |Week 3 | Page 4 of 11

Activity 2: Match It To Me – Revisited (Refer to Activity 1)

Set P Set R
(Polynomials) (Non-polynomials)

1. What are the polynomials in Activity 1 “Match It to Me”? List these polynomials
under set P.
2. Describe these polynomials.
3. In the activity, which are not polynomials? List these non-polynomials under set
R.
4. How do these non-polynomials differ from the polynomials?
5. Describe these non-polynomials.

EXPLORE
Activity 3: Pair Me Up

Below are the list of expressions grouped into columns. Pair expressions in
column A and column B to illustrate a ratio of two expressions. The first item is done for
you.

Column A
Column A Column B
Column B
1 12 x-4 12
x−4
2 y2 – 4 y3 – 27
3 4x - 1 x2 + x – 2
4 2x + √ y 4 √x
5 x-2 – 6 x–2
6 5 + m2 m-2 + 3

Questions:

1. What expressions are formed in items 1, 2, and 3? Are these expressions in

fraction
form?
2. What have you noticed in the numerator and denominator of the expressions
formed in items 1, 2 and 3? Are the numerators and denominators of these
expressions polynomials?
3. What have you noticed in the numerator and denominator of the expressions
formed in items 4, 5 and 6? Are the numerators and denominators of these
expressions polynomials?
4. What have you noticed in the terms of the numerator and denominator of
items 4,
5, and 6? What are their exponents?

Page 5 of 11 |Mathematics 8 |Quarter 1 |Week 3

EXPLAIN
A rational algebraic expression is an expression that can be written in the
P
form
where 𝑷 and 𝑸 are polynomials and 𝑸 must not be equal to 0 (Q ≠ 0).
Q

In other words, a rational algebraic expression is an expression whose numerator

and denominator are polynomials. From the previous activity, expressions formed in
items 1,2 and 3 are rational algebraic expressions because the numerator and the
denominator are both polynomials. On the other hand, expressions formed in items 4,
5, and 6 are not rational algebraic expressions because the numerator and
denominator of the expressions are not polynomials.

How will you know that the expression is a rational algebraic expression?

For you to recognize rational algebraic expressions, examine the following

examples.

Example 1:
2
12 y –4 4 x−1
x−4 , 3
y – 27
, 2
x +x – 2

All of the expressions here are rational algebraic expressions since these contain
polynomial expressions in both numerator and denominator, respectively.

2 x +√ y x –6
−2
5+ m
2
Example 2: , ,
4 √x x−2 −2
m +3

All of the expressions here are not rational algebraic expressions since the

exponents (𝑥−2 and m−3), which are not polynomials.

expressions contain irrational numbers (√𝑥 and √𝑦) and variables having negative

Here’s a useful checklist in identifying whether the expression is a

rational algebraic expression:
 The expression must be in fraction form
 The expression must have in its numerator and denominator a
constant, a variable, or a combination of both, that are
polynomial expression
 The expression must not have a negative exponent, a radical
sign or a fraction exponent in the variable/s in both numerator
and denominator.

Recall that the rational algebraic expression is a fraction containing polynomials

in both numerator and denominator, provided that the denominator must not be
equal to zero. The denominator cannot be zero because a division of 0 is undefined
or meaningless. In rational algebraic expressions, you need to pay attention to what
values of the variables that will make the denominator equal to 0. These values are
called excluded values. How are you going to determine the excluded value/s in a
rational algebraic expression?

Steps in Determining the Excluded Values:

Mathematics 8 |Quarter 1 |Week 3 | Page 6 of 11

(Study Tip: Just pay attention to the denominator of the expression to determine the excluded
values.)

Step 1: Let the expression in the denominator be equal to 0.

Step 2: Solve the equation to determine the value/s of the variable.

Below are the illustrative examples that will help you understand it better.

Example 1:
Identify the value of 𝑥 that will make
12
undefined.
x−4
Solution:
Step 1: Let the expression in the denominator be equal to 0.

𝑥−4=0

Step 2: Solve the equation to determine the value/s of the variable.

𝑥−4=0
𝑥−4+4=0+4
(Given)
(Add both sides by 4 by Addition

𝑥+0=4
Property of Equality)

𝒙=4
(by simplifying)

This means that when 𝑥 = 4, the expression is undefined. Thus, 𝑥 = 4 is an

12

excluded value in the given rational algebraic expression, or in other words, 𝑥 cannot
x−4

be 4. What happens if you substitute 4 to the expression?

12 12 12
= =
x−4 4−4 0

Since division of any number by 0 is undefined, therefore 4 is an excluded value

for this rational algebraic expression.

Example 2:
Identify the value/s of 𝑛 that will make
4 x−1
2 undefined.
x +x – 2
Solution:
Step 1: Let the expression in the denominator be equal to 0.
2
x + x – 2=0

x2 + x − 2 = 0
Step 2: Solve the equation to determine the value/s of the variable.
(Given)

x+2=0 x−1=0
(x + 2)(x − 1) = 0 (by factoring n2 + n − 2 = 0)

x + 2 + (−2) = 0 + (−2) x − 1 + 1 = 0 + 1 (by Addition Property of Equality)

(by Zero Product Property)

x = −2 x=1 (by Simplifying)

This means that 𝑛 cannot be −2 nor 1.

Page 7 of 11 |Mathematics 8 |Quarter 1 |Week 3

 You can verify that if the excluded value/s is substituted in the expression, it
always ends up to division by 0. You have to bear in your mind that there are some
values that will make the expression defined, too. How are you going to inspect it ? The
process is called evaluating the expression.

Example 1:
12
Evaluate the expression
x−4
, when x = 2.

Step 1: Replace the variable x with the given value.

Solution:

(by substituting x = 2)
12 12
=
x−4 2−4

Step 2: Simplify the numerator and the denominator.

12 12
2−4
= −2
= −6

Thus, when x = 2, the expression

12
is equal to 6.
x−4

Example 2:
2
y –4
Evaluate the expression 3
, when y = 2.
y – 27

Step 1: Replace the variable x with the given value.

Solution:

(by substituting y = 4)
2
y 2 – 4 (4 ) – 4
=
y 3 – 27 ( 4)3 – 27

Step 2: Simplify the numerator and the denominator.

2
(4 ) – 4 16 – 4 12
3
= =
( 4) – 27 64 – 27 37

Thus, when y = 4, the expression

2
y –4 12
is equal to .
3
y – 27 37

ELABORATE
Activity 4: Where Do I Belong?
Directions: Write R if the given expression is a rational algebraic expression and NR if
not.

_________ 1. 3x + 4 ______ 6. -12a-1

6x 2
_________ 2. −3 ______ 7. x +2 x−5
5y 3x+4
2y 5m
_________ 3. ______ 8.
x m+ 2 √ n
________ 4. √ 7 x−6 y ______ 9. √ 16 y
2 3 x +1
________ 5. 3 ______10. −
x− y 5 x 3 y−2

Mathematics 8 |Quarter 1 |Week 3 | Page 8 of 11

EVALUATE
ACTIVITY 5: Find My Value

Directions: Evaluate each rational expression using the indicated values of the
variables.

2
5x
1. ; x = 4 and y = 10
8y

a
2. 2 ; a = 3 and b = 6
b

c–4
3.
2 d+3
; c = 4 and d = 2

3e
4. 2 ; e = -6 and f = 5
4−f

g+6
5. g = -2 and h = 2
2h – 3

ACTIVITY 6: Exclude My Value

7 q
1. 4.
14 x – 28 2 q+3

2
3x
2. 5. x +5 x +6
4 x +15 4 x +3

x −2
3.
2 x−3

Page 9 of 11 |Mathematics 8 |Quarter 1 |Week 3

 ANSWER KEY
Activity 1: Match It To Me

Activity 2: Match It To Me – Revisited (Refer to Activity 1)

Set P (Polynomials) Set R (Non-polynomials)
2 2
2
a +2 a ,
4 3
h , z −9 , b −(b +2), 10 x+ 6, 1 1 2 x −1 10
3, 9- 2 , 3 , , +4 ,
c
2
√3 y , x + 2, pq n w z 2
x −2 x +1 y
3
, √ 3 y,
y 4 3 2
2 2
b −
,
w - √93
(b+ 2) x x 2
3
2
c

Activity 3: Pair Me Up Activity 4: Where Do I Belong?

Column A 1. R
Column B 2. NR
1 12 3. R
4. NR
x−4 5. R
2 2
y –4 6. NR
3 7. R
y – 27
8. NR
3 4 x –1
9. R
2
x + x−2 10. R
4 2 x +√ y
4 √x
5 −2
x –6
x−2
6 5+ m
2

−2
m +3
ACTIVITY 5: Find My Value
1 6
1. 1 2. 3. 0 4. 5. 4
12 7

ACTIVITY 6: Exclude My Value

−15 3 −3 −3
1.2 2. 3. 4. 5.
4 2 2 4

REFERENCE
Saga, E.S., and Estal, G.B., (2020) ADM, Quarter 1-Module 3, Illustrating Rational
Algebraic
Expressions Department of Education – Caraga Region
Domingo, B.S., et.al (2017). Math Made Easy. Makati City. Salinlahi Publishing House
Inc.
Gabriel, J.L. and Mallari Ma. T. G. (2017). Mathematics for Grade 8 A Spiral Approach.
Quezon City. Educational Resources Corporation

Mathematics 8 |Quarter 1 |Week 3 | Page 10 of 11

Abuzo, E. P., et.al (2013). Mathematics Learner’s Module. Quezon City. Book Media
Press,
Inc. and Printwell, Inc.
Oronce O.A and Mendoza M.O. (2018). Exploring Math. Metro Manila. Rex Books Store

Page 11 of 11 |Mathematics 8 |Quarter 1 |Week 3