Performing Operations on

Rational Algebraic Expressions

Grade 8 - Mathematics
Week 4, Quarter 1

RHEALINDA R. BLANQUERA
Mathematics Teacher
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After performing the activities in this module,
you should be able to :
 find the product of rational algebraic expressions.
 Find the quotient of rational algebraic expressions
 find the sum and difference of similar rational algebraic
expressions
LESSON 1

MULTIPLYING RATIONAL
ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS
VOCABULARY LIST
-In the expression 𝑎 /𝑏 , 𝑎 is called the
n u m e r a t o r w h i l e 𝑏 i s c a l l e d t h e d e n o m i n a t o r.

- Prime Factors are the factors of a number or

expression which cannot anymore be expressed
as a product of two numbers or expressions
exc e p t 1 a n d i t s e l f.
Short recall on how to multiply fractions.
 

Problem:
Multiply
p 1: Express the numerators and denominators
into prime factors if possible.
 

 
p 2: Multiply the numerator by the numerator and
denominator by the other denominator.
   

 
3: Divide out the common factors in the numerator
denominator
   
p 4: Simplify the remaining numbers in the numera
and denominator
   
You have to remember!
“The product of two rational
expressions is the product of the
numerators over the product of
  the denominators.”
In symbols,
Example 1:
 

Find the product of

 Example 1:   Find the product of

ep 1: Express the numerators and denominators (2)( 𝑦)( 𝑦 )( 𝑦 ) (7)(2)

 
∙
into prime factors if possible. 7 (3)( 𝑦 )( 𝑦)
p 2: Multiply the numerator by the numerator and (2)( 𝑦)( 𝑦 )( 𝑦 )(7)(2)
 

denominator by the other denominator. (7)(3)( 𝑦 )( 𝑦 )

p 3: Divide out the common factors in the numerator (2)( 𝑦)( 𝑦 )( 𝑦 )(7)(2)
 

and denominator. (7)(3)( 𝑦 )( 𝑦 )

p 4: Simplify the remaining numbers in the numerator (2)( 𝑦)(2) 𝟒 𝒚
 
=
and denominator. (3) 𝟑
Example 2:
 

Find the product of

 Example 2:
 
Find the product of

 ( 𝑥+ 𝑦 )( 𝑥 −
𝑦 ) (𝑥 +2)( 𝑥+2)
ep 1: Express the numerators and denominators ∙
into prime factors if possible. ( 𝑥 +2) ( 𝑥+ 𝑦 )

p 2: Multiply the numerator by the numerator and  ( 𝑥+ 𝑦 )( 𝑥 − 𝑦 )( 𝑥+2)( 𝑥+2)

denominator by the other denominator. ( 𝑥 +2)(𝑥 + 𝑦 )

ep 3: Divide out the common factors in the  ( 𝑥+ 𝑦 )( 𝑥 − 𝑦 )( 𝑥+2)( 𝑥+2)

numerator and denominator. ( 𝑥 +2)(𝑥 + 𝑦 )

ep 4: Simplify the remaining numbers in the  ( 𝑥 − 𝑦 )( 𝑥+2)

=𝒙 𝟐 − 𝒙𝒚 +𝟐 𝒙 − 𝟐 𝒚
Numerator and denominator. 1
LESSON 2

DIVIDING RATIONAL
ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS
 VOCABULARY LIST
RECIPROCAL is the expression obtained
by dividing the number 1 by the
expression or by interchanging the
numerator and the denominator of the
 

Example,
expression. the reciprocal of
Short recall on how to divide fractions.
Problem:
Divide
ep 1: Copy the dividend. Change the division sig
multiplication and get the reciprocal of the divis
 

=
 Step 2: Perform the steps in multiplying
rational algebraic
 
𝟏𝟎 𝟓
÷
expressions.
 

÷
𝟖 𝟒
 

 
𝟏𝟎 𝟒
∙  
𝟖 𝟓
 
Example 1:
 

Find the quotient of

 Example 1:   Find the quotient of

 
tep 1: Copy the dividend. Change the division sign
multiplication and get the reciprocal of the divisor.
=
 (2)( 𝑦)( 𝑦 )( 𝑦 ) (7)(2)
∙
7 (3)( 𝑦 )( 𝑦)
 (2)( 𝑦)( 𝑦 )( 𝑦 )(7)(2)
tep 2: Perform the steps in multiplying rational
algebraic expressions . (7)(3)( 𝑦 )( 𝑦 )
 (2)( 𝑦)( 𝑦 )( 𝑦 )(7)(2)

(7)(3)( 𝑦 )( 𝑦 )
 (2)( 𝑦)(2) 𝟒𝒚
=
(3) 𝟑
Example 2:
 

Find the quotient of

 Example 2:   Find the quotient of
 𝑥 2 −
𝑦2 𝑥+ 𝑦
÷ 2
𝑥− 𝑦 𝑥 + 𝑥𝑦
ep 1: Copy the dividend. Change the division sign
  2
𝑥 − 𝑦 2 𝑥 2+ 𝑥𝑦
multiplication and get the reciprocal of the divisor.
∙
𝑥− 𝑦 𝑥+ 𝑦
 ( 𝑥+ 𝑦 )( 𝑥 − 𝑦 ) 𝑥 ( 𝑥+ 𝑦 )
∙
(𝑥− 𝑦) ( 𝑥+ 𝑦 )
 ( 𝑥+ 𝑦 )( 𝑥 − 𝑦 )( 𝑥)( 𝑥+ 𝑦 )
Step 2: Perform the steps in multiplying
( 𝑥 − 𝑦 )( 𝑥 + 𝑦)
rational algebraic expressions .
 ( 𝑥+ 𝑦 )( 𝑥 − 𝑦 )( 𝑥)( 𝑥+ 𝑦 )

( 𝑥 − 𝑦 )( 𝑥 + 𝑦)
 ( 𝑥)( 𝑥+ 𝑦) 𝟐
= 𝒙 + 𝒙𝒚
1
LESSON 3

FINDING THE SUM/DIFFERENCE OF

SIMILAR RATIONAL ALGEBRAIC
EXPRESSIONS
VOCABULARY LIST
 
LIKE TERMS are terms in an expression with the same literal coefficients
Example:

SIMILAR RATIONAL ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS are rational algebraic

expressions that have the same denominators.
Short recall on how to add similar fractions.
 

Problem:
Add
Example:
 

Add
 Example 1:   Add

 
𝟐 𝒙 +𝟓+𝟏𝟎
p 1: Add the numerators and copy the common denominator. 𝒚
 

tep 2: Combine like terms in the numerator. =

 Example 2: Find
  the difference and express your answer in simplest form.

p 1: Subtract the numerators and copy the common denominator.

tep 2: Combine like terms in the numerator.

 

=
 Example 2:  
Add

p 1: Add the numerators and copy the common denominator.

 

Step 2: Combine like terms in the numerator.

 
 Example 2:  
Add

ep 3: Factor out the numerator and the denominator if possible

2
 
𝑥 − 16 ( 𝑥 +4 )( 𝑥 − 4 )
=
5 𝑥 +20 5( 𝑥+ 4)

4: Divide out the common factors between the numerator and the denominator.
2
 
𝑥 − 16 ( 𝑥 +4)( 𝑥 − 4)  

=
=
5 𝑥 +20 5( 𝑥+ 4)
Week 4
Answer the following:

 Task 1 and 2 on page 4 of Module 4.1

 Task 1 on page 7 of Module 4.1
 Assignment on page 10 of Module 4.1