How Do You Solve a Word Problem with a Rational Equation?

How Do You Solve a Word Problem with a Rational Equation?

Note:

This tutorial provides a great real world application of math! This tutorial shows you how to take the information given in a word problem and turn it into a rational equation. Then, you'll see how to solve that equation and get your answer!

Keywords:

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  • rational expression
  • equation
  • solve
  • fractions
  • add rational expressions
  • add algebraic fractions
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Background Tutorials

  • Add and subtract mixed numbers with like denominators, e.g., by replacing each mixed number with an equivalent fraction, and/or by using properties of operations and the relationship between addition and subtraction.

      • What's a Mixed Number?What's a Mixed Number?

      What's a Mixed Number?

      Fractions come in all sorts of flavors, and in this tutorial you'll learn how to recognize mixed numbers.

  • Evaluate expressions at specific values of their variables. Include expressions that arise from formulas used in real-world problems. Perform arithmetic operations, including those involving whole-number exponents, in the conventional order when there are no parentheses to specify a particular order (Order of Operations).

      • What is a Variable?What is a Variable?

      What is a Variable?

      You can't do algebra without working with variables, but variables can be confusing. If you've ever wondered what variables are, then this tutorial is for you!

  • Apply properties of operations as strategies to add, subtract, factor, and expand linear expressions with rational coefficients.

      • What are Like Terms?What are Like Terms?

      What are Like Terms?

      Combining like terms together is a key part of simplifying mathematical expressions, so check out this tutorial to see how you can easily pick out like terms from an expression

  • Give examples of linear equations in one variable with one solution, infinitely many solutions, or no solutions. Show which of these possibilities is the case by successively transforming the given equation into simpler forms, until an equivalent equation of the form x = a, a = a, or a = b results (where a and b are different numbers).

Further Exploration

  • Understand that rational expressions form a system analogous to the rational numbers, closed under addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division by a nonzero rational expression; add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational expressions.

      • What's a Rational Expression?What's a Rational Expression?

      What's a Rational Expression?

      Got a fraction with a polynomial in the numerator and denominator? You have a rational expression! Learn about rational expressions in this tutorial.