Making Sense of Rational Expressions

A rational expression is nothing more than a fraction in which the numerator and/or the denominator are polynomials. Here are some examples of rational expressions. The last one may look a little strange since it is more commonly written. Simplifying rational expressions requires good factoring skills. The twist now is that you are looking for factors that are common to both the numerator and the denominator of the rational expression.
This unit emphasizes performing mathematical operations on rational expressions and using these operations to solve equations and inequalities.

Number Sense, Concepts, and Operations
Add, subtract, multiply, and divide real numbers, including square roots and exponents, using appropriate methods of computing, such as mental mathematics, paper and pencil, and calculator. Describe, analyze and generalize relationships, patterns, and functions using words, symbols, variables, tables, and graphs. Determine the impact when changing the parameters of given functions.