Module Six Lesson One Notes Guided Notes Name_________________

Module Six Lesson One Introduction

Did you know that the Koch Snowflake is made up of fractals, which are created using the same shape over
and over again? In the image you see, the first stage has a single triangle. For stage two, three smaller
triangles are added on, one to each side of the original triangle. These new triangles are a fraction of the size
of the first triangle. For stage three, twelve further triangles are added to the exposed sides of the second set
of triangles. Stage three triangles are a fraction of the size of the stage two triangles. This is but one of many
ways that we use fractions in math.

In this lesson, we will extend our study of fractions to include variable expressions within the fractions. We
call these fractions “rational expressions.” Let’s learn how to simplify, multiply, and divide rational
expressions.
LESSON OVERVIEW
You have been working with rational expressions for years since rational expressions are just fractions. In this less, we
will build upon your knowledge of fractions and build in variables to both the numerator and denominator. Our focus
will be on simplifying rational expressions.

Lesson Objectives and Standards

KEY TERMS
Term – a single elements of a mathematical expression that is comprised of a constant and variable or
combination of constant and a variable. Terms are added to and subtracted from one another to create the
expression.
Factor – One element of a product. A factor could be (but does not have to be) separated by parentheses. For
example, in the expression x(x+2), x and x+2 are the factors.
Coefficient – Number value that is multiplied by a variable.
Common denominator – the number or expression shared by two or more fractions in the denominator of the
fraction. A common denominator is required to add and subtract fractions.
Complex fraction – fraction that is comprised of fractional expressions in the numerator and/or the
denominator.
Restriction – value for a variable that causes a rational expression to be undefined.

Notes One - Rational Numbers and Rational Expressions

A rational number is any number that can be written as a fraction.

Examples are:

___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________

- A rational expression is an expression written in the form of a fraction, where both the
numerator and denominator are polynomial expressions.
- Polynomial expressions have terms with real number coefficients and exponents that are
whole numbers.

Examples of Rational Expressions

1 x 2 x−1
x 2 x+2 x +4

3 x 4 −2 x3 + x−1 5 x −5
−
x 2−4 x−5 x+5

Is it a Rational Expression?

Circle all rational expressions.

4x 6 |3|
3x
x √x x2

√3 x x +1
2
x
2
−1 x−2+5
x
x3 x−2 √x x5

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Restrictions on Variables

A rational expression cannot have a zero denominator. Therefore, for all values where the
denominator would be equal to zero, we must place a restriction on the variable.

What are the restrictions on the variables in the following rational expressions?

1
x ______ x
2 ______
2
x+2 ______ x−1
x +4 ______

______
4 3
3 x −2 x + x−1
2
x −4

5
−
x −5
x−5 x+5 ______

Notes Two - Simplifying Single Term Rational Expressions

Factoring Review

Factor the following expressions:

x 2−9 ________________

a 2+ 4 ________________

q 3+ 125 ________________

r 3 −8 ________________

3
 3 2
4 p + 8 p +16 p ________________

3 2
x + 3 x +6 x +18 ________________

2
m −5 m−6 ________________

2
s +4 s−12 ________________

2 x −11 x−6 ________________

10 y−5 ________________

Simplifying Rational Expressions with a GCF

(Don’t forget to state restrictions.)

2 x−3
10 x−15

Simplifying Rational Expressions with Difference of Squares

(Don’t forget to state restrictions.)

x +1
2
x −1

Simplifying Rational Expressions with Difference/Sum of Cubes

(Don’t forget to state restrictions.)

4
 x +3 x−2
3 3
x +27 2 x −16

Simplifying Rational Expressions with Factoring by Grouping

(Don’t forget to state restrictions.)

x3 −2 x 2−2 x+ 4
x−2

Simplifying Rational Expressions - All Factoring Patterns

(Don’t forget to state restrictions.)

2
x + 4 x−12 x−4 q +5
x−2 4−x q2−25

2
8 a −7 a+12 4 x +20
2m+6 2
a −16
2
x +2 x−15

You Try

Now it is time to complete problems on your own. (Don’t forget to state restrictions.)

5
 12 x2 x2 +5 x−24
8 x2 + 4 x x 2+7 x−30

2
n+6 x −1
2 3
n +15 n+54 x +1

Notes Three - Multiplying Rational Expressions

To multiply rational expressions, the first step is to fully factor the numerator and denominator
of each expression.

9 x+18 x +8
2
⋅ 2
7x x +10 x+16

Once you have completely factored each numerator and denominator, cancel out common
factors.

The result will be a fully simplified rational expression of just one term.

Don’t forget to state the restrictions!

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Practice Multiplying Rational Expressions

( 4 x 3 +12 x2 ) x+ 2
⋅ 2
=¿
x +5 x +4 x +3

3r 3r+4
⋅ =¿
2
3 r −5 r−12 6

x2 −4 x−5 x 2−9
⋅ 2 =¿
x+3 x −x−2

Dividing Rational Expressions

We approach the division of rational expressions in the same way we divide fractions: We change
the division problem into a multiplication problem.

Then, fully factor the numerators and denominators and simplify.

Don’t forget to state the restrictions!

Example:

2 2
y −6 y +9 y −3 y
2
÷ 2 =¿
y −9 y +4 y +3

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Practice Dividing Rational Expressions

2 x2 + x x
2
÷ 2 =¿
4 x +4 x +1 2 x −x−1

6y 18 y 2
÷ 2 =¿
y+ 1 y +2 y+ 1

x2 +3 x +2 x+2
÷ =¿
x −5 5−x

Sometimes the division problem appears a bit differently, but the process to solve it is the same:

2x
x−2
=¿
x
2
x −4

You Try

Now it is time to complete problems on your own. (Don’t forget to state restrictions.)

x2 −16 4
⋅ =¿
16 4−x

x2 −6 x+5 x3
⋅ =¿
2x x−5

x 2−1 x2 +2 x+1
2
÷ 2
=¿
x −4 x +4 x −4

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 2
x x+2
2
÷ 2 =¿
x +3 x +2 4 x + 4 x

Notes Four - Long Division with Rational Expressions

You learned how to perform long division with polynomials in Module Three. Long division with
Rational Expressions works the same way. In fact, since Rational Expressions are the division of
one polynomial by another, the skills are exactly the same.

Let’s start with an example of a prime rational expression. This expression is considered “prime”
because neither the numerator nor the denominator can be factored.

−3 x−11
x +4 ❑

This expression cannot be simplified, but we can use long division to rewrite it as a polynomial
with a remainder.

Let’s do that:

−3 x−11
=¿
x +4 ❑

Notice that the “remainder” from the division problem becomes the numerator of a rational
expression with a denominator equal to that of the original expression.

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Practice: Long Division with Rational Expressions

Example 1:

4 x +2
=¿
x +1

Example 2:

x3
2
=¿
x −9

You Try

Now it is time to complete problems on your own.

4 x−10
=¿
x−5

2
4x
=¿
x+1

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