CHAPTER 2 – RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

LEARNING TARGETS
After finishing this chapter, you are expected to:

 Represent real-life situations using rational functions

 Distinguish rational function, rational equation and rational inequality
 Solve rational equations and inequalities
 Represent a rational function through its table of values, graph and equation
 Find the domain and range of a rational function
 Determine the intercepts, zeroes and asymptotes of rational functions
 Graph rational functions
 Solve problems involving rational functions, equations and inequalities

INTRODUCTION
In the previous chapter, you have learned that a function is a special case of relation. You have
recognized that a function is one of the most important concept in mathematics.

In Grade 10 mathematics, a polynomial function is one of the most useful functions in mathematics.
Among the polynomial functions that you have encountered previously are linear and quadratic functions. Many
real-life situations make use of polynomial functions such as production, sales and profit, projectile motion,
weather behavior and many more.

A rational function is defined as a quotient between two polynomials. This chapter mainly deals with
solving and graphing rational functions and solving rational equations and rational inequalities.

2.1 RATIONAL FUNCTION, RATIONAL EQUATION AND RATIONAL INEQUALITY

Mrs. Samonte wants to deliver hundreds of boxes of peanut butter to a nearby city 150 km away from her factory. If she
has only 2 hours to deliver the boxes of peanut butter, how fast should the delivery truck travel? What is she has only less than an
hour, say quarter of an hour or half an hour to deliver the peanut butter? What do you think will happen to the speed of the delivery
truck as the amount of time required to reach the city decreases?

In the given situation, the speed s is a function of time t given a fixed distance. Hence, the situation above can be
represented by st   150 , where s t  is the required speed given the number of hours t to travel the distance of 150 km. The
t
function st   150 is an example of a rational function.
t
A rational function is written as f x   Px  where P  x  and Q x  are polynomial functions. The domain of the
Q x 
Px 
rational function f  x  is the set of real numbers except those values of x that will make Q  x  zero. If is equal to zero,
Qx 
Px 
then  0 is called a rational equation. Furthermore, if the equation symbol = is replaced by <, >, ≤ or ≥, you have a
Qx 
rational inequality.

Please consider the following examples:

Identify whether each expression is a rational function, rational equation or a rational inequality. If it is a rational function, find
the domain.

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 x 2  5x  6 2  x x  1
1. 0 3. g  x   5.
4

2
0
x 2  7 x  12 x 1
2
2  x x 1
x  2x  1  0 h x  
x  1x  22 x 2
2. 4. 6.  0
x 1
2
x 1 x4 x2

2.2 SOLVING RATIONAL EQUATION AND RATIONAL INEQUALITY

One important skill when dealing with a rational function is simplifying a rational expression. In simplifying a rational
expression, you need to factor both the numerator and the denominator and then cancel the common factors in both terms. Also,
in solving a rational equation, multiply both sides of the equation by the least common denominator (LCD) if it involves more
than one term in either side of the rational equation. If the equation involves only one term in each side of the equation, simplify
the equation. This process is the same as cross multiplying.

In solving a rational inequality, find the critical numbers. This is similar in solving a quadratic inequality. You should also
bear in mind the rules of inequality.

Please consider the following examples:

1. Find the solution of the following rational equations:

3p  6 3p  3
a. 
8 16
q2 q5 7
b.  
3 5 3
9 36  27 x
c. 
3 x  4 16  9 x 2

2. Find and show on the number line the solution of the following rational inequalities:
2x  1
a. 3
x5
6 6
b.  1
x 1 x
2 x  1x  32 0
c.
x4
2.3 DOMAIN, RANGE AND GRAPH OF A RATIONAL FUNCTION

Consider the function f x   1 . You will notice that is x = 1, f 1 is undefined. This means that the domain of f is
x 1
any real number except x = 1. Generally, the domain of a rational function f  x  consists of all real numbers except the zeros of
Q  x  meaning except those which the denominator is zero.

Before you can sketch the graph of any rational function, it is necessary to know what happens to the rational function
f  x  as x becomes very close, but not equal, to a zero of Q  x  , or as x assumes very large positive or negative values. Take

note of the value of f  x  

1
for some values of x in Table 2.1.
x 1

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 DO-IT-YOURSELF RATIONAL EQUATION

Name: __________________________________________________________ Score: ________

Section: _____________________________________________ Teacher: ___________________
Track: [ ] ABM [ ] STEM [ ] HUMSS [ ] GAS Others: _________

Find the solution of the following rational equations. You may use additional sheets for your solutions
if needed.

1 1 5
1.  
x 1 x  2 4

10 12
2.  40
w w3

b b 1
3.  1
2b  7 b  3

1 2
4.  2
k 1 k  0

x2
5.  50
x  100

2
h
h  5h
6.
4
3
h

 m  1  m  1
2

7.    4 3 0
 m   m 
2
 1   1 
8.    2  8  0
 s  1  s  1
2
 z  4z
9.    4
 z  2 z2

p5 5 28
10.   2
p2 p2 p 4

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DO-IT-YOURSELF RATIONAL INEQUALITY

Name: __________________________________________________________ Score: ________

Section: _____________________________________________ Teacher: ___________________
Track: [ ] ABM [ ] STEM [ ] HUMSS [ ] GAS Others: _________

Find and show on the number line the solution of the following rational inequalities. You may use
additional sheets for your solutions if needed.

x3
1. 0
x 1

4k
2. 2
2k  3

2s  6
3. 0
s2

r 1
4. 2
r 3

3c
5. 1
3c

2 2
6. 1 
h 1 h

3 4
7.  1
v 1 v

z 5
8.  4
2 z 1

w  2 w 1
9. 
w3 w2

g  1g  2  0
10.
 g  2 2

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 Table 2.1 Values of f  x  at some values of x
x -0.10 -0.01 -0.001 0 1 10 100 1000 10000
f x  
1 -0.9091 -0.9901 -0.9990 -1 0.111 0.0101 1.001 x 10-3 1.0001 x 10-4
x 1 ∞

In Table 2.1, it can be shown that as x becomes larger and approaches positive infinity (x → +∞), the function f  x 
becomes closer, but not equal to 0. Suppose x assumes negative values. If x < 0 and x nears 0, then f  x  becomes a large
negative number. Hence, you can see that f  x  decreases without bound as x becomes very close to 0. Also, as x approaches
negative infinity (x → -∞), the function f  x  becomes closer, but not equal to 0. Based on these observations, the graph of
1 is given in Figure 2.1 as follows.
f x  
x 1

Figure 2.1 Graph of f x   1

x 1

The function f  x  is defined for all values of x other than 1, so the domain is {x | x ≠ 1}. From the graph, you see that
the range is {y | y ≠ 0}.

Please consider the following examples:

Graph the following rational functions using the table of values and state the domain and range.

1. f x  
4x  1
4. f  x  
x  1x  2
x2 x2 1
3x  10 x  12  x 
2. f x   5. f  x  
x  2 2
x2 1
x 2  2  3x
3. f x  
x 1
In Figure 2.1, it can be observed that the graph of the function approaches y = 0 as x takes on a very large positive value
or a very large negative value. Therefore, at the extreme left and extreme right, the graph of the function gets closer to, but never
touches the line y = 0.

Also, if you will observe, the graph of f x   1 is separated by x = 1. Take note that the function is not defined at this
x 1
value.

The properties mentioned deal with some x and y values that are approached but never reached by the function. These
values are the asymptotes of the function f  x . An asymptote is a line that a graph keeps approaching but never touches it.

Please take note of the following arrow notations for further discussions:

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 Symbol Interpretation
xa  x approaches a from the left
x  a x approaches a from the right
x   x goes to negative infinity; x decreases without bound
x x goes to infinity; x increases without bound

The vertical line x = a is a vertical asymptote of the graph of a function f if f x    or f  x    as x  a  or as

x  a  . f x  either increases or decreases without bound as x approaches a from either the left or the right. Generally, the line
is a vertical asymptote of the graph of a function if its graph satisfies any of the following properties as x gets closer to the value of
a: (a) from the left of a denoted by x  a  ; (b) from the right of a denoted by x  a  ; and (c) from both directions denoted by
x  a.

The horizontal line y = b is a horizontal asymptote of the graph of a function f if f  x   b as x   or as x  .

If x increases or decreases without bound, then f  x  gets closer and close to the value of b.

To graph a rational function, the following steps should be considered:

1. Factor the numerator and denominator whenever applicable.

2. Determine the x-intercept by finding the zeros of the numerator and the y-intercept from the value of the function at
x = 0.
3. Determine the vertical asymptote by finding the zeros of the denominator and then check whether y   or
y   on each side of the vertical asymptote by using the test values.
4. Determine the horizontal asymptote whenever applicable.
5. Sketch the graph using the provided information by the first four steps then plot as many as many additional points
as required to fill in the rest of the graph of the function.

The following theorems might be of help to enrich your understanding of the graph of a rational function (Dimasuay,
et.al., 2016):

Theorem 2.1: The graph of a rational function of the form y  f x   Px  in x with no common factor, has the line x
Q x 
= a as a vertical asymptote if Qa   0.
n 1
Theorem 2.2: The graph of a rational function defined by y  f x   a n x  a n 1 x  ...  a1 x  a0 where n ≥ 0, m ≥ 1
n

bn x  bn 1 x n 1  ...  b1 x  b0
n

and a and b are constants (a) has the line y  f  x   a n as a horizontal asymptote if n = m; (b) has the line y = 0 or the
bn
x-axis as a horizontal asymptote if n < m; or (c) has no horizontal asymptote if n > m.

Please consider the following examples:

Find the x-intercept, y-intercept, horizontal asymptote and the vertical asymptote of each of the following functions.

1. f x  
4x  1
4. f  x  
x  1x  2
x2 x2 1
3x  10 x  12  x 
2. f x   5. f  x  
x  2 2
x2 1
x 2  2  3x
3. f x  
x 1

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 DO-IT-YOURSELF GRAPH OF A RATIONAL FUNCTION

Name: __________________________________________________________ Score: ________

Section: _____________________________________________ Teacher: ___________________
Track: [ ] ABM [ ] STEM [ ] HUMSS [ ] GAS Others: _________

Complete the given table and graph the following functions:

f x  x-intercept/s y-intercept/s Horizontal Asymptote Vertical Asymptote

4x  4
x2
2x  6
3  6x
x2
x  12
4x  8
x  1x  4
2x  4
x  x2
2

2 x2  x 
x  4x  1
x  2x  1
x  3x  1
2 x 2  12  10 x
x2  x  6
x3  x2
x 3  3x  2
x3  4
2x2  x  1

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DO-IT-YOURSELF APPLICATION OF RATIONAL FUNCTION

Name: __________________________________________________________ Score: ________

Section: _____________________________________________ Teacher: ___________________
Track: [ ] ABM [ ] STEM [ ] HUMSS [ ] GAS Others: _________

Solve the following problems. You may use additional sheets for your solutions if needed.

1. The denominator of a fraction exceeds its numerator by 4. If 6 is added to the numerator and 2 is subtracted from
the denominator, the resulting fraction equals 4. Find the fraction

2. A private helicopter can fly at 90 kilometers per hour. If it can fly 220 kilometers with a tailwind in the same time that
it can fly 180 kilometers against the headwind, then what is the speed of the wind?

3. Simon was told that his private pool will fill through an inlet valve in a half day. He knew something is wrong when
the pool took 20 hours to fill. He found that he had left the drain valve open. How long will it take to drain the pool
once it is filled and only the drain valve is opened?

4. If a man can paint an apartment in seven days and his son can paint the same apartment in nine days, how long
will it take them to paint the apartment working together?

5. The tens digit of a two-digit number is three more than the units digit. If the number is divided by the sum of the
digits, the quotient is six and the remainder is three. Find the number.

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 END OF CHAPTER TEST

Name: ______________________________________________________ Score: ________ / 10

Section: ____________ Teacher: ____________________________________________________
Track: [ ] ABM [ ] STEM [ ] HUMSS [ ] GAS Others: _________

Write the CAPITAL LETTER of your choice on the blank provided before each number.

________1. The domain of a rational function are all real numbers EXCEPT those for which the denominator is _____.
A. infinite C. positive
B. negative D. zero

9  x2
________ 2. f x   2 is discontinuous at x = _____.
x 9
A. all real numbers C. -3
B. 3 D. 3 and -3

________ 3. The line whose graph of a function is approaching and getting closer but will never cross it is called _____.
A. abscissa C. intercept
B. asymptote D. ordinate

x3  8
________ 4. Simplify
x 2  4 x  12
x2  4x  2 x2  2x  4
A. C.
x6 x6
x  2x  6
2
x  4x  4
2

B. D.
x6 x6

________ 5. What is the domain of f  x  

x
?
x  2x
2

A. {x | x  , x  0,2} C. {x | x  , x  0,2}
B. {x | x  , x  2,2} D. {x | x  , x  2}

x2
________ 6. What is the graph of f x  
2  x x  5 ?
A. C.

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 B. D.

x 1
________ 7. The vertical asymptotes of f  x   are the lines _____ and _____.
x x2
2

A. x = 1; x = -2 C. x = -1; x = -2
B. x = -1; x = 2 D. x = 1; x = 2

f x  
x  1x  22
________ 8. What are the range and x-intercepts of ?
x 1
A. range: all real numbers; x = -2, x = 1 C. range: all real numbers except -1 and 1; x = -2, x = 2
B. range: all real numbers except 0; x = -2, x = -1 D. range: all real numbers except -2 and 2; x = -1, x = 1

3x 6 12
________ 9. Find the solution to 4  2 .
x2 x x  2x
A. x = -2 C. x = 2
B. x = -1 D. no solution

( x  1)   x  2  .
1 2 1
________ 10. Determine the solution set
2 3 6
A. x < 5 C. x > 10
B. x > 5 D. x > 15

If you got a score of:

10 – Excellent!
8 – 9 – Very Good!
5 – 7 – Good!
1 – 4 – Try again and don’t give up; ask for your teacher’s assistance.

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