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Clarifications
Clarification 1: Within the Algebra 2 course, numerators and denominators are limited to linear and quadratic expressions.Benchmark Instructional Guide
Connecting Benchmarks/Horizontal Alignment
Terms from the K-12 Glossary
- Linear expression
- Quadratic expression
- Rational expression
- Rational number
Vertical Alignment
Previous Benchmarks
Next Benchmarks
Purpose and Instructional Strategies
In Algebra I, students solved one variable equations including linear, quadratic and absolute value, and determined if the solution(s) was viable. In Math for College Algebra, students solve one variable equations involving rational expressions.- Instruction includes making the connection to operations with fractions (MTR.5.1).
- For example, when solving rational equations that involve addition or subtraction, students can find common denominators to assist in solving.
- Given the equation
, students can determine a common denominator of ( − 2)( + 3) to rewrite the equation as 
. Students should recognize that since the fractions on the
( − 2)( + 3) left side of the equation have the same denominator, the equation can be rewritten as 
From here students can either solve using proportional reasoning (MA.7.AR.3) or can find common denominators between fractions on either side of the equal side and then set the numerators equivalent to one another.
- Given the equation
- For example, when solving rational equations that involve addition or subtraction, students can find common denominators to assist in solving.
- Instruction includes how to determine what the solutions to the equation are and whether they are viable (MTR.6.1). Students should have experience with rational equations that produce different types of solutions: more than one, exactly one, and extraneous.
- Instruction provides opportunities for students to discuss why extraneous solutions may arise with rational equations (MTR.4.1).
- Instruction gives students the opportunity to discuss constraints and what effect those constraints have on the solution(s) to the equations (MTR.4.1).
Common Misconceptions or Errors
- Students may struggle to determine if a common denominator is needed to solve a rational equation.
- If students determine a common denominator is needed, they may struggle to decide what factors are needed to be multiplied to the numerator and the denominator while keeping the rational equation equivalent.
- Students may forget to test the solutions in the original equation to determine if it is extraneous or not.
Instructional Tasks
Instructional Task 1 (MTR.2.1, MTR.4.1)- Explain how you could find the solution(s) to the rational equation given. Share your strategy with a partner.
Instructional Task 2 (MTR.5.1)
- Create a rational equation with the following:
- a. One solution
- b. Two solutions
- c. Infinitely many solutions
- d. An extraneous solutions
Instructional Task 3 (MTR.7.1)
- At a local high school, sophomores are designing and printing school lanyards for the upcoming freshman class. An online printing company charges $40 set up fee and $2.30 for each printed lanyard.
- Part A. Create an equation to represent the average cost (), in dollars, per lanyard if lanyards are printed using this company.
- Part B. What is the average cost per lanyard to print 55 lanyards? 105 lanyards?
- Part C. How many lanyards should be printed to have an average cost of $2.50 or less per lanyard? Explain how you know.
Instructional Items
Instructional Item 1- Chase and his brother like to play basketball. About a month ago they decided to keep track of how many games they have each won. As of today, Chase has won 18 out of 30 games against his brother.
- Part A. How many games would Chase have to win in a row in order to have a 75% winning record?
- Part B. How many games would Chase have to win in a row in order to have a 90% winning record?
- Part C. Is Chase able to reach a 100% winning record? Explain why or why not.
- Part D. Suppose that after reaching a winning record of 90% in Part B, Chase had a losing streak. How many games in a row would Chase have to lose in order to drop down to a winning record below 55% again?
Instructional Item 2
- An equation is given below. Determine the solution(s), including any extraneous solutions.
Related Courses
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Lesson Plan
Original Student Tutorials
Problem-Solving Task
Original Student Tutorials Mathematics - Grades 9-12
Learn how to solve rational linear and quadratic equations using cross multiplication in this interactive tutorial.
Learn how to solve rational functions by getting common denominators in this interactive tutorial.
Student Resources
Original Student Tutorials
Learn how to solve rational functions by getting common denominators in this interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Learn how to solve rational linear and quadratic equations using cross multiplication in this interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Problem-Solving Task
The purpose of this task is to continue a crucial strand of algebraic reasoning begun at the middle school level. By asking students to reason about solutions without explicitly solving them, we get to the heart of understanding what an equation is and what it means for a number to be a solution to an equation. The equations are intentionally simple; the point of the task is not to test techniques in solving equations, but to encourage students to reason about them.
Type: Problem-Solving Task
Parent Resources
Problem-Solving Task
The purpose of this task is to continue a crucial strand of algebraic reasoning begun at the middle school level. By asking students to reason about solutions without explicitly solving them, we get to the heart of understanding what an equation is and what it means for a number to be a solution to an equation. The equations are intentionally simple; the point of the task is not to test techniques in solving equations, but to encourage students to reason about them.
Type: Problem-Solving Task
