1. Lesson 5

1.5. Explore

Mathematics 20-1 Module 6

Module 6: Rational Expressions

 

Explore

 

This photo collage shows a man mopping a kitchen floor, a girl shovelling snow, and a car chasing another car.

mopper: Pixland/Thinkstock; winter: Photos.com/Thinkstock; chasing car: Hemera/Thinkstock



Consider the following types of problems:

  • If you could shovel your driveway in 30 min and your friend could do the same job in 25 min, how long would it take both of you to do the job together?

  • How much time do you actually save on a 60-km drive if you drive 15 km/h over the speed limit?

  • What amount of floor cleaner do you have to add to a bucket containing 10 L of water to create a solution that is 5% floor cleaner?

These types of problems can be solved using rational equations. In fact, rational equations can be used to model and solve many problems related to work, motion, and proportions.

 

This lesson is divided into three sections. Each section will focus on a particular type of word problem related to work, motion, or proportions.