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Subject

Math, Science & Technology

Objectives

• Students will be able to find the values that make the denominator of a rational expression undefined.
• Students will be able to simplify rational expressions.

Description

Through the use of Microsoft PowerPoint, worksheets and an interactive math lab practice site, the topic of rational expressions (polynomials in the form of fractions) will be introduced. The focus of this lesson is on simplifying rational expressions.

This should be used after students have already learned how to add, subtract and multiply polynomials.

Website(s)

Algebra Lab
Algebra Lab - Simplifying Rational Expressions

Duration

Two class periods - 45 minutes each

Materials

• Simplifying Rational Expressions PowerPoint
• Simplifying Rational Expressions Worksheet
• Simplifying Rational Expressions Answer Key
• SMART Board and LCD Projector or Overhead Projector and make copies of the PowerPoint slides on transparencies

Rational Expressions PowerPoint

Home Work Worksheet

Procedure

Day 1 - Students will be learning how to simplify rational expressions and find what values make the denominator undefined.

Display PowerPoint lesson.

• Follow through each slide and examples.
• Students will first complete a "Do-Now" review of factoring.
• Then students will be shown example problems on how to divide/simplify rational expressions.
• Then students will be able to complete some practice examples - teacher should walk around and help students that need it.
• Then students will be presented to the concept of undefined. When the denominator equals zero.
• Complete the example problems for the students - explaining each step.
• The last slide contains some practice problems for the students to complete.
• Home Work - worksheet on simplifying and undefined.

Day 2 - After reviewing homework assignment, students will continue to practice simplifying rational expressions using the algebra lab website (see below).

• Either do this is a whole class practice or in a computer lab.
• Print out problems and have students work on them first, when they are done they can enter their answers in the computer to check their work.

Assessment

Student understanding will be assessed using the Simplifying/Undefined home work sheet. This worksheet and the answer key are available in the Materials section.

Home Work Answer Key

Related Academic Standards

New York State

A-APR.2 Know and apply the Remainder Theorem: For a polynomial p(x) and a number a, the remainder on division by x - a is p(a), so p(a) = 0 if and only if (x - a) is a factor of p(x).

MST3.A1.A.14 Students divide a polynomial by a monomial or binomial, where the quotient has no remainder.

MST3.A1.A.15 Students find values of a variable for which an algebraic fraction is undefined.

MST3.A1.A.16 Students simplify fractions with polynomials in the numerator and denominator by factoring both and renaming them to lowest terms.