SOLVING RATIONAL

EQUATIONS
RATIONAL EQUATION
Solving Rational Equation
To solve rational equations, follow these steps;

1. Eliminate the rational expressions in the equation by

multiplying both sides of the equation by the LCD.
2. Solve the equation.
3. Check your solution
Solving Rational Equation
Example 1 Solve the following rational equation.
𝑥−3 𝑥+1
=
2 3

3(𝑥 − 3) = 2(𝑥 + 1) ➢ Apply cross-multiplication

3𝑥 − 9 = 2𝑥 + 2 ➢ Apply the distributive property

and then simplify
3𝑥 − 2𝑥 = 2 + 9
➢ Solve for 𝑥
𝑥 = 11
Solving Rational Equation
Example 1. Cont.
𝑥−3 𝑥+1
=
➢ Check the solution 2 3
Substittute 𝑥 = 11 in the original 11 − 3 11 + 1
equation =
2 3
8 12
=
2 3

4=4 true
Solving Rational Equation
Example 2 Solve the following rational equation.
𝑥+1 5
=
𝑥−5 3

3(𝑥 + 1) = 5(𝑥 − 5) ➢ Apply cross-multiplication

3𝑥 + 3 = 5𝑥 − 25 ➢ Apply the distributive property
3𝑥 − 5𝑥 = −25 − 3 and then simplify

−2𝑥 = −28 ➢ Solve for 𝑥

−2𝑥 −28
=
−2 −2
𝑥 = 14
Solving Rational Equation
Example 2. Cont.
𝑥+1 5
➢ Check the solution =
𝑥−5 3
Substittute 𝑥 = 14 in the original 14 + 1 5
equation =
14 − 5 3
15 5
=
9 3
5 5
= true
3 3
Solving Finding
Rational an
Equation
Unknown Number
Try this! Check:
𝑥−1 1
= 𝑥−1 1
=
𝑥+1 2 𝑥+1 2
3−1 1
2 𝑥 − 1 = 1(𝑥 + 1) =
3+1 2
2𝑥 − 2 = 𝑥 + 1 2 1
=
4 2
2𝑥 − 𝑥 = 2 + 1 1 1
=
2 2
𝑥=3
Solving Rational Equation
Example 4 Solve the following rational equation.
5 7 ➢ Find the LCD.
1+ =
3𝑥 6 The LCD is 6𝑥.
5 7 ➢ Multiply both sides of the
6𝑥 1 + = 6𝑥
3𝑥 6 equation by the LCD.
30𝑥 42𝑥 ➢ Apply the distributive property
6𝑥 + = and then simplify
3𝑥 6
6𝑥 + 10 = 7𝑥 ➢ Solve for 𝑥
6𝑥 − 7𝑥 = −10
−𝑥 = −10
𝑥 = 10
Solving Rational Equation
Example 4. Cont.
5 7
➢ Check the solution
1 + =
3𝑥 6
Substittute 𝑥 = 10 in the original 5 7
equation 1+ =
3(10) 6
5 7
1+ =
30 6
1 7
1+ =
6 6
7 7
= true
6 6
Solving Rational Equation
Example 5 7 1 9 ➢ Find the LCD.
+ = The LCD is 4𝑥.
𝑥 4 𝑥
7 1 9
4𝑥 + = 4𝑥 ➢ Multiply both sides of the
𝑥 4 𝑥
equation by the LCD.
28𝑥 4𝑥 36𝑥
+ = ➢ Apply the distributive property
𝑥 4 𝑥
and then simplify
28 + 𝑥 = 36
𝑥 = 36 − 28 ➢ Solve for 𝑥
𝑥=8
Solving Rational Equation
Example 6 Solve the following rational equation.
𝑎 ➢ Find the LCD.
=𝑎+4
2 The LCD is 2.
𝑎
2 = 𝑎+4 2 ➢ Multiply both sides of the
2
equation by the LCD.
2𝑎
= 2𝑎 + 8 ➢ Apply the distributive property
2
and then simplify
𝑎 = 2𝑎 + 8
𝑎 − 2𝑎 = 8 ➢ Solve for 𝑎
−𝑎 = 8
−𝑎 8
= 𝑎 = −8
−1 −1
Solving Rational Equation
Example 7 Solve the following rational equation.
3 1 1
− = ➢ Find the LCD.
𝑏 2 4 The LCD is 4𝑏.
3 1 1
4𝑏 − = 4𝑏 ➢ Multiply both sides of the
𝑏 2 4
equation by the LCD.
12𝑏 4𝑏 4𝑏
− = ➢ Apply the distributive property
𝑏 2 4
and then simplify
12 − 2𝑏 = 𝑏
−2𝑏 − 𝑏 = −12 ➢ Solve for 𝑏
−3𝑏 = −12
−3𝑏 −12
= 𝑏=4
−3 −3
Solving Rational Equation
Example 7. Cont.
3 1 1
➢ Check the solution − =
𝑏 2 4
Substittute 𝑏 = 4 in the original 3 1 1
equation − =
4 2 4
3 2 1
− =
4 4 4
1 1
= true
4 4