1. Lesson 1

Mathematics 30-2 Module 5

Module 5: Rational Expressions

 

Lesson 1: Simplifying Rational Expressions

 

Focus

 

This is a picture of a group of people playing a simulator race game.

Hemera/Thinkstock

Simulators are practical training tools that mimic actual conditions for people to use before they attempt the real item. Students must control equipment and instrumentation that is similar to what is found in real items.

 

Simulators provide a safe environment for learning how to navigate different scenarios that may be encountered in real life.

 

In previous math courses you worked with rational numbers. The strategies you learned to generate equivalent fractions and simplify fractions will help you to do the same processes with rational expressions. Your previous experience with rational numbers can be thought of as the training for, or simulation of, the work you will do with rational expressions in this lesson and module.

 

Lesson Outcomes

 

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to

  • compare the strategies for writing equivalent forms of rational expressions to the strategies for writing equivalent forms of rational numbers
  • determine the non-permissible values for a rational expression and explain why such values are non-permissible
  • determine equivalent rational expressions to given rational expressions and explain why the non-permissible values of both are the same
  • simplify a rational expression and identify, correct, and explain errors in the simplification of a rational expression
Lesson Questions

 

You will investigate the following questions:

  • How is the process of simplifying rational expressions similar to the process of simplifying rational numbers?
  • Why are some values not permitted in a rational expression?
Assessment

 

Your assessment may be based on a combination of the following tasks:

  • completion of the Lesson 1 Assignment (Download the Lesson 1 Assignment and save it in your course folder now.)
  • course folder submissions from Try This and Share activities
  • additions to Glossary Terms
  • work under Project Connection

Self-Check activities are for your own use. You can compare your answers to suggested answers to see if you are on track. If you are having difficulty with concepts or calculations, contact your teacher.

 

Remember that these questions and activities provide you with the practice and feedback that you need to successfully complete this course. You should complete all the questions and place the answers in your course folder. Your teacher may wish to view the work to check on your progress and to see if you need help.

 

Time
 

Each lesson in Mathematics 30-2 EveryWare is designed to be completed in approximately two hours. You may find that you require more or less time to complete individual lessons. It is important that you progress at your own pace, based on your individual learning requirements.

 

This time estimation does not include time required to complete Going Beyond activities or the Module Project.