Mathematics Enhanced Scope and Sequence – Algebra II

Rational Equations
Reporting Category Equations and Inequalities
Topic Solving equations containing rational algebraic expressions
Primary SOL AII.4c The student will solve, algebraically and graphically, equations
containing rational algebraic expressions. Graphing calculators will
be used for solving and for confirming the algebraic solutions.
Related SOL AII.1a, d

Materials
Graphing calculators
Four attached handouts

Vocabulary
factor, solution, replacement set, algorithm, numerator, denominator, least common multiple
(earlier grades)
rational algebraic equations, extraneous solution (AII.4.c)

Student/Teacher Actions (what students and teachers should be doing to facilitate learning)
1. Distribute copies of the attached Solving Rational Equations: Introductory Exercise
handout, and have students complete it, working individually and then in pairs to share and
confirm or revise their responses. Follow with a class discussion of each problem.
2. To explore the algebraic and graphical methods for solving rational expressions, begin with
the algebraic. Distribute copies of the attached Steps for Solving Rational Equations
Algebraically handout. Encourage students to work with their partners to monitor and
communicate what is happening as you lead them through the examples. After you work
through each example, have a student pair come up and work the similar, accompanying
problem. The variety of problems is meant to encompass the scope of typical Algebra II
problems.
3. Distribute copies of the attached Steps for Solving Rational Equations Graphically handout,
and lead students through the steps in each example, using graphing calculators.
4. Define extraneous solution as a result that is not a solution to an equation even though it
was obtained by correctly using an equation-solving algorithm. In rational equations,
extraneous solutions always result in a division by zero error.

Assessment
Questions
o How do you solve a rational equation algebraically? Explain.
o Given a rational algebraic equation, if you graph one side as Y1 and the other as Y2 ,
how do to determine the solution set to the original equation? What do you notice
about the graphs?

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Journal/Writing Prompts
o Explain how you can use a graph’s points of intersection to solve a rational
equation.
o In your own words, explain what is meant by the term extraneous solution. Is it a
solution or not? Explain why.
Other
o Give students solution sets, and ask them to create matching rational equations.
(Note: Such open-ended problems allow students to be creative and differentiate
the task based upon their own level of understanding.)

Extensions and Connections (for all students)

Guide students to make connections to graphing rational functions, paying particular
attention to restrictions on the domain and vertical asymptotes.
Have students complete the attached Solving Rational Equations: Practice Problems.
Introduce equations with complex algebraic fractions.

Strategies for Differentiation

Have students solve rational equations by expressing each side as a single fraction first.

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Mathematics Enhanced Scope and Sequence – Algebra II

Solving Rational Equations:

Introductory Exercise
Determine which of the following are true, and justify your answers.

3x 6 x2 8
1. x 2 is a solution to .
x 1 x2 3

2x 1 3x 2
2. x 3 is a solution to .
1 x 4

5x 4 20
3. x 4 is a solution to 2
.
2x 8 x 16

2 5 7x 19
4. The solution set for the equation, 2
, is all real numbers except 3
x 3 x 2 x 5x 6
and 2.

x 2 10 3x
5. The equation, , has exactly 2 solutions. (Hint: Determine the answer by using
x 1 x 1
x 2 10 3x
your graphing calculator to graph y and y .)
x 1 x 1

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Steps for Solving Rational Equations

Algebraically
2x x 2 1
Example 1:
3 5 6

Step 1: Multiply both sides of the equation by the least common multiple of the denominators. In
this case, the LCM of 3, 5, and 6 is 30.
2x x 2 1 2x x 2
30 30 30 30 5
3 5 6 3 5

Step 2: Simplify and solve familiar equation.

20x 6(x 2) 5
26x 12 5
26x 17
17
x
26

Step 3: Verify solution.

17 17
2 2
26 26 1
Does ?
3 5 6

x 1 5x
Problem 1: Now, you follow the steps to solve x.
2 3

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4 5 29
Example 2: 2
x 2 x 2 x 4

Step 1: Multiply both sides of the equation by the least common multiple of the denominators. In
this case, the LCM of x + 2, x − 2, and x2 − 4 is (x + 2)(x − 2).
4 5 29
(x 2)(x 2) 2
(x 2)(x 2)
x 2 x 2 x 4

4 5 29
(x 2)(x 2) (x 2)(x 2) 2
(x 2)(x 2)
x 2 x 2 x 4

Step 2: Simplify and solve familiar equation.

4 5 29
(x 2)(x 2) (x 2)(x 2) 2
(x 2)(x 2)
x 2 x 2 x 4
4 x 8 5x 10 29
9x 2 29
9x 27
x 3

Step 3: Verify solution.

4 5 29
Does 2
when x 3 ?
x 2 x 2 x 4

7 4 14
Problem 2: Now, you follow the steps to solve 2
.
x 2 x 3 x x 6

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Mathematics Enhanced Scope and Sequence – Algebra II

x 3 5
Example 3:
x 1 x 2x

Step 1: Multiply both sides of the equation by the least common multiple of the denominators. In
this case the LCM of x 1, x , and 2 x is 2x(x 1) .
x 3 5
2 x(x 1) 2x(x 1) 2 x(x 1)
x 1 x 2x

Step 2: Simplify and solve familiar equation.

2x 2 6 x 6 5x 5
2x 2 x 1 0
(2x 1)(x 1) 0
1
x or x 1
2

Step 3: Verify solution.

x 3 5 1
Does when x ? x 1?
x 1 x 2x 2

x 5 1
Problem 3: Now, you follow the steps to solve .
x 1 2x 2 2

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Mathematics Enhanced Scope and Sequence – Algebra II

x 3 x 1
Example 4: 1
x 2 x 2

Step 1: Multiply both sides of the equation by the least common multiple of the denominators. In
this case the LCM is just x + 2.
x 3 x 1
(x 2) 1 (x 2)
x 2 x 2

Step 2: Simplify and solve familiar equation.

x 3 (x 2) (x 1)
x 3 1
x 2

Step 3: Verify solution.

When we check x = −2, we can see that it leads to division by zero. Because we correctly
followed the process for finding a solution and the result we generated does not solve the
equation, it is call an extraneous solution. Thus, the answer to the problem is “no
solutions.”

4x x 5
Problem 4: Now, you follow the steps to solve 3.
x 1 x 1

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Mathematics Enhanced Scope and Sequence – Algebra II

x 3 x 1
Example 5: 2 (note how similar this is to Example 4.)
x 2 x 2

Step 1: Multiply both sides of the equation by the least common multiple of the denominators. In
this case, the LCM is just x 2 .
x 3 x 1
(x 2) 2 (x 2)
x 2 x 2

Step 2: Simplify and solve familiar equation.

x 3 (2x 4) (x 1)
x 3 x 3
x can be any real number and satisfy x 3 x 3 , but when we want to solve
x 3 x 1
2 , x cannot equal −2. Why?
x 2 x 2

So, the solution set is all real numbers except −2, or in set-builder notation, {x| x 2} .

Step 3: Verify solution.

It is impossible to check all real numbers as solutions, but verify a couple.

4x x 5
Problem 5: Now, you follow the steps to solve 5.
x 1 x 1

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Mathematics Enhanced Scope and Sequence – Algebra II

Steps for Solving Rational Equations

Graphically
2x x 2 1
Example 1:
3 5 6

Step 1: Enter the left-hand side of the equation in Y 1 and the right-hand side in Y2.

Step 2: Graph on an appropriate viewing window.

Step 3: Determine point(s) of intersection.

Step 4: Determine solutions, and, if possible/necessary, convert to a fraction.

Step 5: Verify solution.

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2 1
Example 2: x 1
x 1 2

Step 1: Enter the left-hand side of the equation in Y 1 and the right-hand side in Y2.

Step 2: Graph on an appropriate viewing window.

Step 3: Determine point(s) of intersection.

Step 4: Determine solutions.

The solutions are −3 and 2.

Step 5: Verify solutions.

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Solving Rational Equations:

Practice Problems
Solve each of the following. Be sure to check solutions in the original equations and identify any
extraneous solutions.
4 1 3 5 2 3 6
1. + =9 2. = 3. − =
x 3x n+1 n−3 x+5 x−4 x

1 1 4 6x2 + 5x − 11 2x − 5
4. + = 2 5. =
x − 5 x − 5 x − 25 3x + 2 5

3 4 2 x x+1 x−3
6. − = 7. 2 = −
x−1 x−2 x+1 x − 4x − 12 6 − x 2 + x

c+2 7 x2 − 2x − 3 x 5−x
8. = 9. − =
c−5 c+2 x2 − x − 6 x + 2 x − 3

Solve each of the following, showing all your work:

10. A number minus 5 times its reciprocal is 7. Find the number.
11. A swimming pool can be filled in 12 hours, using the large pipe alone and in 18 hours with
the small pipe alone.
If both pipes are used, how long will it take to fill the pool?
If the fire department is asked to help out by using its tank, which alone can fill the pool
in 15 hours, how long will it take to fill the pool if all three water sources are used
simultaneously?
At the end of the summer a drain is left open, and the pool empties in 24 hours. If the
pool attendant who is preparing the pool for opening day forgets to plug the drain, can
the pool be filled in one day? If so, how long will it take? If not, explain why not.
12. John is deciding between two jobs. One promises convenient hours and is closer to his
home. The other pays $2.25 more per hour, and John would earn $1,000 in 10 hours less
than it will take him to earn $900 at the first job. What is the hourly wage for each job?
13. The current in a river is estimated to be 4 mph. A speedboat goes downstream 6 miles and
comes back 6 miles in 15 minutes. What is the average speed of the speedboat in still
water? (Hint: Let r be the average speed in mph in still water.)
14. Find all real numbers x, x + 2, and x + 4 such that the reciprocal of the smallest number is
the sum of the reciprocals of the other two. Are there rational solutions to this problem?
15. A manufacturing company has a machine that produces 120 parts per hour. When a new
machine is delivered that makes twice as many parts per hour, how long will it take the two
machines working together to make 120 parts per hour? (Hint: Let x be the time [number
of hours] the machines take to make the 120 parts.)

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