Quarter 1 Week 4
Learning Activity Sheets (LAS) No. 6.
Name of Learner: __________________________ Grade and Section: ________
School: ____________________________________ Date: _____________________
Solving Problems involving Rational Algebraic Expressions
I. Learning Competency with Code
Solves problems involving rational algebraic expressions. M8AL-Id-2
II. Background Information for Learners
As you go through this topic, you are expected to solve problems involving rational algebraic
expressions.
Equations that contain rational expressions are called rational equations.
For example, is a rational equation.
You can solve these equations using the techniques for performing operations with rational
expressions and the procedures for solving algebraic equations. Rational equations can be useful
for representing real-life situations and for finding answers to real problems. In particular, they
are quite good for describing distance-speed-time relationships and for modeling work problems
that involve more than one person.
Rational expressions can help you solve problems about combining two peoples’ rates to
accomplish a project. To solve them, think of the rate in terms of fractions of the full project,
then write an expression and solve through it!
Example 1:
Seven divided by the sum of a number and three is equal to half the difference of
the number and two.
Let’s begin by defining our variable.
Let x = the number
Next, set up our equation.
Seven divided by the sum of a number and three
7
x+ 4
is equal to half the difference of the number and two.
7 x−2
=
x+3 2
Before we solve, take note that there’s a variable in the denominator which means we will have a
restricted value. So x ≠−4 because that would make the denominator zero which would make the
expression undefined.
Now we can cross multiply and solve!
7 x−2
=
x+3 2
7 ∙ 2=( x+ 3 ) ( x −2 )
2
14=x + x −6
−14=−14
0 ¿ x 2+ x −20
0=(x−4)(x +5)
Therefore, the numbers are 4 and -5.
Example 2: Work Problem
Angelica can sew 5 face masks in 20 minutes and Donna Mae can sew a 5 face masks in 30
minutes. How long will it take for them to sew a 5 face masks together?
Solution:
Step1: Assign variables:
Let x = time to sew 5 face masks together.
Step 2: Use the formula:
1 1 1
+ =
20 30 x
Step3: Solve the equation
The LCM of 20 and 30 is 60
Multiply both sides with 60
( 201 + 301 = 1x ) 60
60 60 60
+ =
20 30 x
60
3+2=
x
60
5=
x
5 x=60
x=12
Therefore, it takes 12 minutes to sew 5 face masks together.
Example 3
Dejie and Mike are planning to paint a house together. Dejie thinks that if he worked alone, it
would take him 4 times as long as it would take Mike to paint the entire house. Working
together, they can complete the job in 28 hours. How long would it take each of them, working
alone, to complete the job?
Solution:
Step 1: Assign variables:
Let x = time it takes Dejie to complete the job
3 x = time it takes John to complete the job
Step 2: Write the equation and use the formula.
1 1 1
+ =
x 4 x 28
Step 3: Solve the equation
The LCM of x ,4 x, and 28 is 28.
Multiply both sides with 28.
( 1x + 41x = 281 ) 28
28 28 28
+ =
x 4 x 28
28 28
+ =1
x 4x
4x ( 28x + 428x )=1
4 ∙ 28 28
+ =1
4x 4x
112+28=4 x
140=4 x
x=35
4 x=140
Therefore, Dejie will work 35 hours alone and Mike will work 140 hours alone.
III. Directions: This learning activity sheet consists of various activities that are designed
for you to accomplish independently. Complete and do all the activities so that you
will be able to solve real-life problems involving rational algebraic expressions. You
may use other references such as links and books given below to understand more
about the topic.
IV. Activity Proper
Activity 1: Working alone or Working Together?
Rose can clean a room in 3 hours. If her sister Marie helps, it takes them 2
2 /5 hours. How long will it take Marie working alone?
Rose: _____________hours
Marie: ____________ hours
Team:____________ hours
Activity 2: Work-gether!
Jerry can do a piece of work alone in 6 days and Fern can do it alone in 4 days, how long will
it take the two working together to complete the job?
Time Job per day
Jerry
Fern
Together
Activity 3:
A restaurant has 60 tables. Each table seats 5 people. A manager has 4 employees to
prepare the tables. The chart below shows how fast each employee works. Use this
information to answer the following questions.
Employee Time to Fold 5 Time to Set 5
Napkins (min.) Places (min.)
Jan 5 2
Mary 4 3
Katie 3.5 4
Charlie 3 5
Answer the following questions.
1. In order to get the tables ready in the least amount time, which two employees should the
manager ask to fold napkins? Which two employees should the manager ask to set the tables?
2. If everyone starts working at the same time, how quickly can the employees get the tables
ready for dinner? The first pair of employees to finish their job should help the other pair to
finish the tables. Explain your answer.
Rubric Scoring
Criteria Outstanding Satisfactory Developing Beginner (1) Rating
(4) (3) (2)
Solution A An An An
Process complete appropriate appropriate inappropriate
and solution process that process or no
appropriate process that is is partially evidence of a
solution complete process
process almost
complete.
Complete Uses all Evidence of Shows minor
Understandin understanding important an understanding
g of the of the problem components appropriate on the given
Problem of the strategy that problem
problem leads to a
correct
solution
Accuracy All All Most of the Some of the
computations computations computation computations
are correct and are correct. are correct. are correct.
shown in
detail.
V. Guide Questions
1. What are the steps in solving problems involving algebraic expressions?
2. How to identify the least common multiple?
3. How do you find the activity?
4. Give at least one situation where rational expressions used in daily lives.
VI. Reflection
In this lesson, I have learned that
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________.
I have difficulty in ________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
VII. Answer Key
Activity 1: Working Alone or Working Together?
Rose: 3 hours
Marie: 12 hours
Together: 2 2/5 hours
Activity 2: Work-gether!
Time Job per Day
Jerry 6 days 1
6
Fern 4 days ¼
Together 2 2/5 days 1
2
2
5
Activity 3:
1. A. Katie and Charlie
B. Jan and Mary
2. Folding Napkins - 0.94 minutes
Setting up Tables: 46.8 seconds
VIII. Links and/or Other References
https://sccollege.edu/Faculty/epham/Documents/IntroAlgManuscript/Chapter
%2011%20-%20rational%20equations%20and%20applications.pdf
https://www.onlinemathlearning.com/math-work-problems.html
http://www.montereyinstitute.org/courses/DevelopmentalMath/
COURSE_TEXT2_RESOURCE/U15_L2_T1_text_final.html
https://www.expii.com/t/applications-of-rational-expressions-and-word-problems-4604
IX. Prepared by: ROSEMARIE M. ANTIQUINA
Teacher – Compostela Valley Institute of Technology, Inc.
