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Solving Rational Equations Guide

A rational equation contains one or more rational expressions and can be solved using the Cross Product Property if it is a proportion. To solve rational equations with sums or differences, one must find a common denominator and multiply both sides by it. The document provides examples demonstrating these methods and emphasizes the importance of checking answers.

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Srdjan Radakovic
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3 views10 pages

Solving Rational Equations Guide

A rational equation contains one or more rational expressions and can be solved using the Cross Product Property if it is a proportion. To solve rational equations with sums or differences, one must find a common denominator and multiply both sides by it. The document provides examples demonstrating these methods and emphasizes the importance of checking answers.

Uploaded by

Srdjan Radakovic
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Rational equations

A rational equation is an
equation that contains one or
more rational expressions. If a
rational equation is a proportion,
it can be solved using the Cross
Product Property.
Example Solving Rational Equations by Using Cross Products

Solve . Check your answer.

5x = (x – 2)(3) Use cross products.

5x = 3x – 6 Distribute 3 on the right side.

2x = –6 Subtract 3x from both sides.

x = –3 Divide both sides by 2.


Substitute –3 for x in the
original equation.

–1 –1 
Example 1a

Solve . Check your answer.

3n = (n + 4)(1) Use cross products.

3n = n + 4 Distribute 1 on the right side.

2n = 4 Subtract n from both sides.

n=2 Divide both sides by 2.


Example 1a Continued

Check

Substitute 2 for n in the original equation.


Some rational equations
contain sums or differences
of rational expressions. To
solve these, you must find a
common denominator for
all the rational expressions
in the equation.
Example : Solving Rational Equations by Using the LCD

Solve each equation. Check your answer.

Step 1 Find the LCD.

2x(x + 1) Include every factor of the denominator.

Step 2 Multiply both sides by the LCD.

Distribute on the
left side.
Example - Continued

Step 3 Simplify and solve. Divide out common factors.

(2x)(2) + 6(x + 1) = 5(x + 1) Simplify.

4x + 6x + 6 = 5x + 5 Distribute and multiply.

10x + 6 = 5x + 5 Combine like terms.

5x = –1 Subtract 5x and 6 from both


sides.

Divide both sides by 5.


Example - continued

Check

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