# ACT Math : How to evaluate rational expressions

## Example Questions

### Example Question #291 : Algebra

Find the product of  and .

Explanation:

Solve the first equation for .

Solve the second equation for

The final step is to multiply  and .

### Example Question #1 : Rational Expressions

The following table shows the temperature of a cup of coffee at different times

Time                           1:09    1:11    1:13    1:15    1:17

Temperature (ºF)            187.1  184.4  181.7  179.0  176.3

If this trend continues, what will the temperature of the coffee at minute 1:25?

171.0°F

160.2°F

165.5°F

162.9°F

168.3°F

165.5°F

Explanation:

The table shows that for every two minutes, the temperature of the coffee lowers 2.7ºF. At 1:25, 16 minutes, or eight 2-minute intervals have passed, and the temperature of the coffee has lowered by 8*2.7ºF, reaching a temperature of 165.5ºF.

### Example Question #2 : How To Evaluate Rational Expressions

Amy buys concert tickets for herself and her friends. She initially buys them at $40/ticket. Weeks later, her other friends ask her to buy them tickets, but the prices have increased to$54. Amy buys 7 tickets total and spends $350. How many tickets has she paid$40 on?

Explanation:

Amy has bought 7 tickets, x of them at $40/ticket, and the remaining 7-x at$54/ticket. She spends at total of

What is

?