Rational Equations Explanation

Solving Rational Equations: An equation in which one or more terms is a fraction is called a
rational equation. To solve a rational equation, first eliminate the fractions by multiplying by the
lowest common denominator (LCD) of every term. With the fractions thus eliminated, the
equation is then solved like any non-rational equation.
1)

EXAMPLE with no variable in the denominator:

3x
x
2
Solve for x:

5
3
15

Solution:

Multiplying by the LCD (15), we obtain

x
3x
2
15

15

3
5
15
9 x 5x 2
1
x
2
Equations with the variable in the denominator: The procedure is the same when the variable
appears in the denominator of one or more terms. However, the LCD will now contain the
variable.
2)

EXAMPLE with variable in the denominator:

2
5
1
Solve for x:

3x
x
2

Solution:

The LCD is 6x.

2
6x
3x

Multiplying both sides of the equation yields

1

6x

2
5
1
6x
6x
6x

3x
x
2
4 30 3 x
3 x 26
x

Check:

26
3
2
26
3

3
2

26
2

26

5
1

2
26

3
13
? 15

26
26
2

checks!
26

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3)

EXAMPLE with variables in both numerator and denominator:

8x 7
2x
Solve for x:
2
5x 4
5x 1

Solution:

Multiplying by the LCD (5x + 4)(5x + 1) yields

(8 x 7)(5 x 1) 2(5 x 4)(5 x 1) 2 x(5 x 4)

40 x 35 x 8 x 7 2(25 x 2 5 x 20 x 4) 10 x 2 8 x
2

40 x 2 43x 7 50 x 2 50 x 8 10 x 2 8 x
43x 7 42 x 8
x 1
Be especially sure to
check your answer
after multiplying by an
LCD containing the
variable because this
will often introduce an
extraneous solution.

4)

Check:

8(1) 7 ?
2(1)
2
5(1) 4
5(1) 1
15 ?
2
2
9
6
5
6
1

checks!
3
3
3

EXAMPLE with extraneous solution:

2
1
1
Solve for x:
2 2
2
x 9
x
x 3x

Solution:
First find the LCD of all the denominators and then multiply both sides of the
equation by the LCD.
x 2 9 ( x 3)( x 3)
x2 x2

so the LCD = x2(x + 3)(x 3)

x 2 3x x( x 3)

x 2 x 3 ( x 3)

x
2
1
1
x 2 x 3 ( x 3) 2 x 2 x 3 ( x 3)
( x 3) ( x 3)
x ( x 3)
x
2 x 2 ( x 3)( x 3) x( x 3)

(x 0, -3, 3)

2 x x 9 x 3x
2

2 x 2 2 x 2 3x 9
9 3x
3 x

3 is not allowed since no denominator can be 0.

There is no solution. The solution set is the empty set, . The original equation is a contradiction.
(Multiplying by the factor (x 3) was, in effect, multiplying by 0.)
2

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5)

EXAMPLE giving identity:

1
2
x
Solve for x:
2
2
x7
x 12 x 35
x 5x

Solution:
First find the LCD of all the denominators and then multiply both sides of the
equation by the LCD.
x7 x7
x 12 x 35 ( x 5)( x 7)
2

so the LCD = x(x 5)(x 7)

x 2 5 x x( x 5)
x( x 5) ( x 7)

1
2
x
x x 5 ( x 7)
x x 5 ( x 7)
( x 7)
( x 5) ( x 7)
x ( x 5)
x( x 5) 2 x x( x 7)

(x 0, 5, 7)

x2 5x 2 x x2 7 x
x2 5x x2 5x
00

The equation 0 = 0 is true for all real numbers. Therefore, x can be any real number with the
exception of 0, 5, or 7. We indicated x 0, 5, 7. These values are not included since each of
them would give a 0 denominator. The implication is that all other values are allowed. The
original equation is an identity.

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