RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

DEFINITION
We define a Rational Expression as a fraction where the numerator and the
denominator are polynomials.

𝑥2 − 𝑦2
Example:
𝑥 −𝑦 2
SIMPLIFYING RATIONAL EXPRESSION
To simplify we first factor the polynomials then cancel any common factors.

𝑥−𝑦 𝑥+𝑦
𝑥−𝑦 2

𝑥−𝑦 𝑥+𝑦
= Step1: Factors
𝑥−𝑦 𝑥−𝑦

(𝑥 + 𝑦)
= Step2: Cancel common factors
𝑥−𝑦
EXAMPLE1: SIMPLIFY
3𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 Step1: Factors
2𝑥 2 − 𝑥

𝑥 (3𝑥 − 4)
= Step2: Property of fractions
𝑥 (2𝑥 − 1)

3𝑥 − 4
= Step3: Cancel common factors
2𝑥 − 1
EXAMPLE 2
Simplify the following rational expression completely.
MULTIPLYING RATIONAL EXPRESSION
When we multiply rational expression we factor then we cross cancel.

𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 3
× Step1: Factor
𝑥+1 𝑥 −1
(𝑥 − 1)2 (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 + 1)
× Step2: cancel common factors
𝑥+1 𝑥 −1

(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 3)
DIVIDING RATIONAL EXPRESSION
Recall that when we divide fractions we multiply by the reciprocal.

For rational functions we do the same thing. To divide rational functions, multiply by
the reciprocal and then factor and cancel common factor.

𝑥2 − 𝑥 − 2
𝑥+3 𝑥2 − 𝑥 − 2 3𝑥 + 9
= ×
2𝑥 + 2 𝑥+3 2𝑥 + 2
3𝑥 + 9

times by reciprocal
 CONT. DIVIDING RATIONAL EXPRESSION
𝑥2 − 𝑥 − 2
𝑥+3 𝑥2 − 𝑥 − 2 3𝑥 + 9
= ×
2𝑥 + 2 𝑥+3 2𝑥 + 2
3𝑥 + 9
𝑥2 − 𝑥 − 2 3𝑥 + 9
× Step1: Factor
𝑥+3 2𝑥 + 2

𝑥−1 𝑥+2 3(𝑥 + 3)

= × Step2: cancel common factors
𝑥+3 2(𝑥 + 1)

3 𝑥+2
=
2
3𝑥 + 6
=
2
EXAMPLES:
Preform the indicated multiplication/division and simplify:
ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION OF RATIONAL
EXPRESSION
Reminder
To add or subtract rational functions, we follow the same method as fractions.

Step1: Factor everything and find the least common denominator (LCD).
Step2: Multiply the numerators and the denominators
by appropriate denominator so that the denominator become
the least Common Denominator.
Step3: Add/subtract the numerator together.
Step4: Cancel any common factor.
EXAMPLE:
3𝑥 + 1 𝑥
+ First factor everything then find least common denominator (LCD)
𝑥2 − 1 𝑥 + 1

3𝑥 + 1 𝑥
+ The LCD is (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 1)
(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 1) 𝑥 + 1

3𝑥 + 1 𝑥 × (𝑥 − 1) Multiply through the denominators to get the same

+
(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 1) 𝑥 + 1 × (𝑥 − 1) denominator on both side

3𝑥 + 1 𝑥
+
(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 1) (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 1)
CONT. EXAMPLE:
3𝑥 + 1 𝑥
+ Now add the numerators together
(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 1) (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 1)

3𝑥 + 𝑥 + 1 Factorize then cancel

(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 1)

(𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 + 1)
(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 1)

(𝑥 + 1)
(𝑥 − 1)
EXAMPLES
COMPOUND FRACTION
A Compound Fraction is a fraction in which the numerator, the denominator, or both,
are themselves fractional expressions.

Example: Simplify

𝑥 𝑥 1×𝑦 𝑥 +𝑦
+1 + 𝑦 𝑥 +𝑦 𝑥 −𝑦 𝑥 +𝑦 𝑥 𝑥(𝑥 + 𝑦)
𝑦 𝑦 ×𝑦 ÷ = × =
= = 𝑥 −𝑦 =
𝑦 1×𝑥 𝑦 𝑦 𝑥 𝑦 𝑥 −𝑦 𝑦(𝑥 − 𝑦)
1 − − 𝑥
𝑥 ×𝑥 𝑥

times by reciprocal
combine the terms in
then multiply
the numerator
&denominator into a
single fraction.
EXAMPLES: COMPOUND FRACTION
Simplify :

1 1 −1
−
𝑎+ℎ 𝑎
𝑎(𝑎 + ℎ)
ℎ

1 1
2 2 2 2 −2
1+ 𝑥 − 𝑥 1+ 𝑥 1
1 + 𝑥2 2
3
(1 + 𝑥 )2
RATIONALIZING THE DENOMINATOR OR THE
NUMERATOR
 Rationalizing the Denominator
If a fraction has a denominator of the form 𝐴 + 𝐵 𝐶, we may rationalize the
denominator by multiplying numerator and denominator by the conjugate radical 𝐴 −
𝐵 𝐶
Example: We multiply both the numerator and the denominator by the
conjugate radical of 1 + 2, which is 1 − 2.

1 1 1 − 2 Step1: Multiply numerator and denominator

= ∙
1+ 2 1+ 2 1 − 2 by the conjugate radical

1 − 2
Step2: Special Product Formula 1
1 − ( 2)2
1 − 2 1 − 2
Step3: = =− 1 − 2 = 2 −1
1 −2 −1
RATIONALIZING THE DENOMINATOR OR THE
NUMERATOR
 Rationalizing the Numerator

Example: We multiply numerator and denominator by the conjugate

radical 4 + ℎ + 2

4 + ℎ − 2 4 + ℎ + 2 Step1: Multiply numerator and denominator

∙
ℎ 4 + ℎ + 2 by the conjugate radical
4+ℎ−4
Step2: Special Product Formula 1
ℎ ( 4 + ℎ + 2)
ℎ
ℎ ( 4 + ℎ + 2)
1
Step3: cancel common factor
4+ℎ + 2
EXAMPLES
Rationalizing the Denominator:
1
2− 3
1
𝑥 +1

Rationalizing the Numerator:

𝑦+ 2
5

1− 5
3