How do you write a rational equation?

Cracking the Code: How to Write (and Solve!) Rational Equations

Rational equations. They sound intimidating, right? But trust me, once you get the hang of them, they’re not so bad. Think of them as the algebraic equivalent of a recipe – a set of instructions that, when followed correctly, lead to a satisfying result. You’ll find these equations popping up everywhere, from physics problems to figuring out if your business is actually making money. So, let’s dive in!

What Exactly Is a Rational Equation?

Basically, it’s an equation where you’ve got fractions, and at least one of those fractions has a variable lurking in the denominator. Remember polynomials? Those expressions with variables and exponents? Yeah, those are hanging out in the numerators and denominators of our fractions. Something like this: