Solving Rational Equations

Solving Rational Equations

Student Outcomes

• Students solve rational equations, monitoring for the creation of extraneous solutions.

New York State Common Core Math Algebra II, Module 1, Lesson 26

Worksheets for Algebra 2

Classwork

Exercises 1–2

Solve the following equations for 𝑥, and give evidence that your solutions are correct

• Show Video for the Lesson

Example

Solve the following equation

Exercises 3–7

Solve the following equation

Solve the following equation. Remember to check for extraneous solutions

Lesson Summary

In this lesson, we applied what we have learned in the past two lessons about addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of rational expressions to solve rational equations. An extraneous solution is a solution to a transformed equation that is not a solution to the original equation. For rational functions, extraneous solutions come from the excluded values of the variable.
Rational equations can be solved one of two ways:

1. Write each side of the equation as an equivalent rational expression with the same denominator and equate the numerators. Solve the resulting polynomial equation, and check for extraneous solutions.
2. Multiply both sides of the equation by an expression that is the common denominator of all terms in the equation. Solve the resulting polynomial equation, and check for extraneous solutions.

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