GENERAL MATHEMATICS
Solving
Rational
Equations
RATIONAL EQUATION
A rational equation is an equation between rational
expressions.
TO SOLVE A RATIONAL EQUATION:
1. Find the LCM of the denominators.
2. Clear denominators by multiplying both sides of
the equation by the LCM.
3. Solve the resulting polynomial equation.
4. Check the solutions.
SOLVING RATIONAL EQUATIONS
1. Solve the rational equation 𝑥 − = .
𝑥
x(x) – 18 (x) = 3(x) Multiply each term by the LCD, x.
x
x2 – 18 = 3x Simplify. Note that x ≠ 0.
x2 – 3x – 18 = 0 Write in standard form.
(x – 6)(x + 3) = 0 Factor.
x – 6 = 0 or x + 3 = 0 Apply the Zero Product Property.
x = 6 or x = –3 Solve for x.
SOLVING RATIONAL EQUATIONS
Check (Example 1)
x – 18 = 3 x – 18 = 3
x x
6 – 18 3 (–3) – 18 3
6 (–3)
6–3 3 –3 + 6 3
3 3 3 3
SOLVING RATIONAL EQUATION
2. Solve the equation = + .
𝑥
10 (3x) = 4 (3x) + 2(3x) Multiply each term by
3 x the LCD, 3x.
10x = 12 + 6x Simplify. Note that x ≠ 0.
4x = 12 Combine like terms.
x=3 Solve for x.
SOLVING RATIONAL EQUATION
3. Solve the equation 𝑥 = − .
𝑥
x(x) = 6 (x) – 1(x) Multiply each term by the LCD, x.
x
x2 = 6 – x Simplify. Note that x ≠ 0.
x2 + x – 6 = 0 Write in standard form.
(x – 2)(x + 3) = 0 Factor.
x – 2 = 0 or x + 3 = 0 Apply the Zero Product Property.
x = 2 or x = –3 Solve for x.
EXTRANEOUS SOLUTION
An extraneous solution is a solution of an equation
derived from an original equation that is not a
solution of the original equation.
NOTE;
When you solve a rational equation, it is possible to
get extraneous solutions. These values should be
eliminated from the solution set. Always check your
solutions by substituting them into the original
equation.
SOLVING RATIONAL EQUATIONS
WITH EXTRANEOUS SOLUTION
𝑥 𝑥+
1. Solve the equation = .
𝑥− 𝑥−
5x 3x + 4 Multiply each term by
(x – 2) = (x – 2)
x–2 x–2 the LCD, x – 2.
5x 3x + 4 (x – 2) Divide out common
x–2 (x – 2) =
x–2 factors.
5x = 3x + 4 Simplify. Note that x ≠ 2.
x=2 Solve for x.
The solution x = 2 is extraneous because it makes
the denominators of the original equation equal to 0.
Therefore, the equation has no solution.
SOLVING RATIONAL EQUATIONS
WITH EXTRANEOUS SOLUTION
Check Substitute 2 for x in the original equation
5x = 3x + 4
x–2 x–2
5(2) 3(2) + 4
2–2 2–2
10 10 Division by 0 is
0 0 undefined.
SOLVING RATIONAL EQUATIONS
WITH EXTRANEOUS SOLUTION
𝑥− 𝑥
2. Solve the equation + = .
𝑥− 𝑥−
Multiply each term by the LCD, 2(x – 8).
2x – 5 x 2(x – 8) = 11
x–8 2(x – 8) + 2(x – 8)
2 x–8
Divide out common factors.
2x – 5
2(x – 8) + x 2(x – 8) = 11 2(x – 8)
x–8 2 x–8
2(2x – 5) + x(x – 8) = 11(2) Simplify. Note that x ≠ 8.
Use the Distributive
4x – 10 + x2 – 8x = 22
Property.
SOLVING RATIONAL EQUATIONS
WITH EXTRANEOUS SOLUTION
𝑥− 𝑥
2. Solve the equation + = .
𝑥− 𝑥−
Multiply each term by the LCD, 2(x – 8).
2x – 5 x 2(x – 8) = 11
x–8 2(x – 8) + 2(x – 8)
2 x–8
Divide out common factors.
2x – 5
2(x – 8) + x 2(x – 8) = 11 2(x – 8)
x–8 2 x–8
2(2x – 5) + x(x – 8) = 11(2) Simplify. Note that x ≠ 8.
Use the Distributive
4x – 10 + x2 – 8x = 22
Property.
SOLVING RATIONAL EQUATIONS
WITH EXTRANEOUS SOLUTION
𝑥− 𝑥
2. Solve the equation + = . (continuation)
𝑥− 𝑥−
x2 – 4x – 32 = 0 Write in standard form.
(x – 8)(x + 4) = 0 Factor.
x – 8 = 0 or x + 4 = 0 Apply the Zero Product Property.
x = 8 or x = –4 Solve for x.
The solution x = 8 in is extraneous because it
makes the denominator of the original equation
equal to 0. The only solution is x = –4.
SOLVING RATIONAL EQUATIONS
WITH EXTRANEOUS SOLUTION
𝑥 𝑥
3. Solve the equation = + .
𝑥− 𝑥−
Multiply each term by the LCD, 6(x – 1).
1 x
6(x – 1) = 6(x – 1) + x 6(x – 1)
x–1 x–1 6
Divide out common factors.
1 x
6(x – 1) = 6(x – 1) + x 6(x – 1)
x–1 x–1 6
6 = 6x + x(x – x) Simplify. Note that x ≠ 1.
6 = 6x + x2 – x Use the Distributive
Property.
SOLVING RATIONAL EQUATIONS
WITH EXTRANEOUS SOLUTION
𝑥 𝑥
3. Solve the equation = + .
𝑥− 𝑥−
Multiply each term by the LCD, 6(x – 1).
1 x
6(x – 1) = 6(x – 1) + x 6(x – 1)
x–1 x–1 6
Divide out common factors.
1 x
6(x – 1) = 6(x – 1) + x 6(x – 1)
x–1 x–1 6
6 = 6x + x(x – x) Simplify. Note that x ≠ 1.
6 = 6x + x2 – x Use the Distributive
Property.
SOLVING RATIONAL EQUATIONS
WITH EXTRANEOUS SOLUTION
𝑥 𝑥
3. Solve the equation = + . (continuation)
𝑥− 𝑥−
0 = x2 + 5x – 6 Write in standard form.
0 = (x + 6)(x – 1) Factor.
x + 6 = 0 or x – 1 = 0 Apply the Zero Product Property.
x = –6 or x = 1 Solve for x.
The solution x = 1 is extraneous because it
makes the denominator of the original equation
equal to 0. The only solution is x = –6.
SOLVING RATIONAL EQUATIONS
EXERCISE
Solve the following rational equations.
1. =
𝑥+ 𝑥−
𝑥+ 𝑥
2. = +
𝑥+ 𝑥−
𝑥+ 𝑥
3. + =
𝑥− 𝑥−