Rational

Functions
Prepared by Ericson V. Magapan
Definition
A rational function, 𝑓 𝑥 , is a function of
𝑝(𝑥)
the form 𝑓 𝑥 = where 𝑝(𝑥) and 𝑞(𝑥)
𝑞(𝑥)
are polynomial functions, and 𝑞(𝑥) ≠ 0.
The Domain &
Range,
Intercepts of
Rational
Functions
Definition
The domain of 𝒇(𝒙) is defined as follows:
a. the set of real numbers such that 𝒒(𝒙) is not zero.
b. It is the set of real numbers except those that will
make the denominator equal to zero.
c. The domain also refers to the x – values that a graph
can take.
Definition
The range of 𝒇(𝒙) is the defined as follows:
• It is the set of all values that 𝒇(𝒙) 𝒐𝒓 𝒚 will take.
• The values are dependent on the horizontal
asymptote, and they are not equal with the value
of the horizontal asymptote.
• It be easily determined by looking at the graph of
the rational function
Definition
• The intercepts of the graph of a rational
function are the points of intersection of its
graph and an axis. The x – intercept is the point
on the x – axis th.at a graph touches,
intersects, or passes through while the y –
intercept is the point on the y – axis that a
graph touches, intersects, or passes through.
Steps in Getting the Domain of a Rational
Function:
1. Set the denominator equal to zero.
2. Factor out the equation if possible and solve for
the value of x.
3. The values of x are not included as the domain
because it will make the rational function
undefined.
4. Write the domain using the set – builder form and
in interval form.
Exercises
Find the domain of the following rational functions:
3
1. 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥
𝑥2
2. ℎ 𝑥 =
𝑥−1
𝑥
3. 𝑚 𝑥 = 2
𝑥 −3𝑥
𝑥+1
4. 𝑔 𝑥 = 2
𝑥 −4
Exercises
Find the domain of the following rational functions:
𝑥 2 −4𝑥−5
5. 𝑝 𝑥 = 2
𝑥 +3𝑥−8
4𝑥−1
6. 𝑏 𝑥 = 3 2
𝑥 +2𝑥 +8𝑥
𝑥 3 +𝑥+1
7. 𝑟 𝑥 = 2
2𝑥 −5𝑥−3
𝑥 3 −8
8. 𝑤 𝑥 = 2
4𝑥 −9
Exercises
Find the domain of the following rational functions:

𝑥2
1. 𝑓 𝑥 =
3 2. ℎ 𝑥 =
𝑥 𝑥−1
𝑥=0 𝑥−1=0
𝑥=1
Set Builder Form: 𝐷 = 𝑥|𝑥 ≠ 0
Set Builder Form: 𝐷 = 𝑥|𝑥 ≠ 0
Interval Form: −∞, 0 ∪ (0, ∞) Interval Form: −∞, 0 ∪ (0, ∞)
Exercises 𝑥+1
3. m(x) =
𝑥 4. g(x) =
𝑥 2 −4
𝑥 2 −3𝑥

By factoring the polynomial: By factoring the polynomial:

𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 = 𝑥 𝑥 − 3 𝑥2 − 4 = 𝑥 + 2 𝑥 − 2
𝑥 𝑥−3 =0 𝑥+2 𝑥−2 =0
𝑥=0 𝑥−3=0 𝑥+2=0 𝑥−2=0
𝑥=3 𝑥 = −2 𝑥=2
Set Builder Form: Set Builder Form:
𝐷 = 𝑥|𝑥 ≠ 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 ≠ 3 𝐷 = 𝑥|𝑥 ≠ −2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 ≠ 2
Interval Form: −∞, −2 ∪ (−2,2) ∪ (2, ∞)
Interval Form: −∞, 0 ∪ (0,3) ∪ (3, ∞)
Exercises
𝑥 2 −4𝑥−5
5. 𝑝 𝑥 =
𝑥 2 +2𝑥−8

By factoring the polynomial: 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 8 = 𝑥 + 4 𝑥 − 2

𝑥+4 𝑥−2 =0
𝑥+4=0 𝑥−2=0
𝑥 = −4 𝑥=2
Set Builder Form:
𝐷 = 𝑥|𝑥 ≠ −4 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 ≠ 2
Interval Form: −∞, −4 ∪ (−4,2) ∪ (2, ∞)
Exercises
4𝑥−1
6. b(x) =
𝑥 3 +2𝑥 2 +8𝑥

By factoring the polynomial: 𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 = 𝑥(𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 8)

Note that the trinomial factor can still be factored out:
𝑥 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 8 = 𝑥(𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 + 2)
The complete factored form is 𝑥(𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 + 2)
𝑥=0 𝑥+4=0 𝑥+2=0
𝑥 = −4 𝑥 = −2
Set Builder Form: 𝐷 = {𝑥|𝑥 ≠ −4, 𝑥 ≠ −2, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 ≠ 0}
Interval Form: −∞, −4 ∪ (−4, −2) ∪ (−2,0) ∪ (0, ∞)
Exercises
𝑥 3 +𝑥+1
7. 𝑟 𝑥 =
2𝑥 2 −5𝑥−3
By factoring the polynomial,
2𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 − 3 = 2𝑥 + 1 𝑥 − 3
2𝑥 + 1 𝑥 − 3 = 0
2𝑥 + 1 = 0 𝑥−3=0
1
𝑥=− 𝑥=3
2
1
Set Builder Form: 𝐷 = {𝑥|𝑥 ≠ − 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 ≠ 3}
2
1 1
Interval Form: −∞, − ∪ − ,3 ∪ 3, ∞
2 2
Exercises
𝑥 3 −8
8. w 𝑥 =
4𝑥 2 −9
By factoring the polynomial,
4𝑥 2 − 9 = 2𝑥 + 3 (2𝑥 − 3)
2𝑥 + 3 2𝑥 − 3 = 0
2𝑥 + 3 = 0 2𝑥 − 3 = 0
3 3
𝑥=− 𝑥=
2 2
3 3
Set Builder Form: 𝐷 = {𝑥|𝑥 ≠ − 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 ≠ }
2 2
3 3 3 3
Interval Form: −∞, − ∪ − , ∪ ,∞
2 2 2 2
Solving for the Intercepts
•To solve for the x – intercept, set the value
of y equal to zero and solve for the value
of x.
•To solve for the y – intercept, set the value
of x equal to zero and solve for the value
of y.
Exercises
Find the x- and y- intercepts of the following rational
functions:
3
1. 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥
𝑥 2 −4𝑥−5
2. 𝑑 𝑥 = 2
𝑥 +2𝑥−8
𝑥2
3. b x =
𝑥−1
4𝑥−1
4. 𝑓 𝑥 = 3 2
𝑥 +2𝑥 −8𝑥
Exercises
Find the x- and y- intercepts of the following rational
functions:
𝑥+1
5. m(x)=𝑥 2−4
𝑥 3 +𝑥+1
6. g 𝑥 = 2𝑥 2−5𝑥−3
 3
1. 𝑐 𝑥 = 𝑥
If 𝑥 = 0, solve for 𝑦.
3
𝑦=
0
𝑦 = 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑
Therefore, there is no y – intercept.

If 𝒚 = 𝟎, solve for x.
3
0=
𝑥
0 𝑥 =3
0≠3
Therefore, there is no x - intercept
 𝑥 2 −4𝑥−5
2. 𝑑 𝑥 =
𝑥 2 +2𝑥−8

If 𝑥 = 0, solve for 𝑦.

02 − 4 0 − 5
𝑦= 2
0 +2 0 −8
5
𝑦=
8

𝟓
Therefore, the graph will pass through at of the y-axis.
𝟖
 𝑥 2 −4𝑥−5
2. 𝑑 𝑥 =
𝑥 2 +2𝑥−8

If 𝑦 = 0, solve for x
𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 5
0= 2
𝑥 + 2𝑥 − 8
0 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 8 = 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 5
0 = 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 5
0 = (𝑥 − 5)(𝑥 + 1)
𝑥 = 5 and 𝑥 = −1
Therefore, the graph will pass through at -1 and 5 of the
x – axis.
 𝑥2
3. 𝑏 𝑥 =
𝑥−1

If 𝑥 = 0, solve for y.

02
𝑦=
0−1
0
𝑦=
−1
𝑦=0

Therefore, the graph will pass through at 0 of the y - axis.

 𝑥2
3. 𝑏 𝑥 =
𝑥−1

If y = 0, solve for x.

𝑥2
0=
𝑥−1 2
0 𝑥−1 =𝑥
0 = 𝑥2
𝑥=0

Therefore, the graph will pass through at 0 of the x - axis.

 4𝑥−1
4. 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥 3 +2𝑥 2 −8𝑥

If 𝑥 = 0, solve for 𝑦.
4 0 −1
𝑦= 3
0 + 2(0)2 −8(0)
−1
𝑦=
0
𝑦 = 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑

Therefore, there is no y – intercept.

 4𝑥−1
4. 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥 3 +2𝑥 2 −8𝑥

If y = 0, solve for 𝑥.
4𝑥 − 1
0= 3 2 − 8𝑥
3
𝑥 +
2
2𝑥
0 𝑥 + 2𝑥 − 8x = 4x − 1
0 = 4𝑥 − 1
1
𝑥=
4
𝟏
Therefore, the graph will pass through at
𝟒
of the x – axis.
 𝑥+1
5. 𝑚 𝑥 =
𝑥 2 −4
If 𝑥 = 0, solve for 𝑦.

0+1
𝑦= 2
0 −4
1
𝑦=−
4

1
Therefore, the graph will pass through at − of the y –
4
axis.
 𝑥+1
5. 𝑚 𝑥 =
𝑥 2 −4
If 𝑦 = 0, solve for x.

𝑥+1
0= 2 (Cross Multiply)
𝑥 −4
2
0 𝑥 −4 =𝑥+1
0=𝑥+1
𝑥 = −1

Therefore, the graph will pass through at -1 of the x – axis.

 𝑥 3 +2𝑥 2 +𝑥
6. g 𝑥 =
2𝑥 2 −5𝑥−3
If 𝑥 = 0, solve for y.

03 + 2(0)2 +0
y=
2(0)2 −5 0 − 3
0
𝑦=
−3
𝑦=0

Therefore, the graph will pass through at 0 of the y – axis.

 𝑥 3 +2𝑥 2 +𝑥
6. g 𝑥 =
2𝑥 2 −5𝑥−3
If y= 0, solve for x.

𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 + 𝑥
0= 2 (Cross Multiply)
2𝑥 − 5𝑥 − 3
(0)(2𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 −3)= 𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 + 𝑥
0 = 𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 + 𝑥
0 = 𝑥 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1
0 = 𝑥(𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 + 1)
𝑥 = 0 and 𝑥 = −1

Therefore, the graph will pass through at 0 and -1 of the

x – axis.
The Asymptotes
and Zeroes of
the Rational
Function
Definition
• An asymptote is an imaginary line that a curve
approaches but never touches, as it heads
towards infinity. It can be horizontal, vertical
or oblique.
• The vertical asymptote which is a vertical line
passing through the x - axis.
• The horizontal asymptote is a vertical line
passing through the y-axis.
Solving for the Asymptotes
•To solve for the vertical asymptote,
equate the denominator to zero
and solve for the value of x.
Solving for the Asymptotes
To solve for the horizontal asymptote, the degree of the
numerator n and the degree of the denominator d are
being compared and following conditions must be
considered.
If 𝑛 < 𝑑, then the horizontal asymptote is 𝑦 = 0
If 𝑛 > 𝑑, then there is no horizontal asymptote.
𝑎
If 𝑛 = 𝑑, the horizontal asymptote is 𝑦 = where 𝑎 is the
𝑏
leading numerical coefficient of the numerator and b is
the leading numerical coefficient of the denominator.
Examples
Find the vertical and horizontal asymptotes of the
following rational functions:

3𝑥
1. 𝑔 𝑥 = 2
𝑥 −9
𝑥
2. 𝑓 𝑥 = 2
9𝑥 −1
4𝑥 2 −9
3. ℎ 𝑥 =
𝑥−3
2𝑥
4. 𝑚 𝑥 =
3𝑥+2
Examples
Find the vertical and horizontal asymptotes of the
following rational functions:

7 − 3𝑥
5. 𝑟 𝑥 =
2𝑥 + 1
4𝑥 4 −1
6. 𝑡 𝑥 = 2
𝑥 +8𝑥−20
1
7. 𝑝 𝑥 =
𝑥−2
𝑥 3 +3𝑥 2
8. 𝑤 𝑥 = 4 2
𝑥 −4𝑥
Zeroes of the Rational Function
• The zeroes of a rational function are the values
of x which make the function zero. The real
numbered zeroes are also the x – intercepts of
the graph of the function.
Zeroes of the Rational Function
• The zeroes of a rational function are the values
of x which make the function zero. The real
numbered zeroes are also the x – intercepts of
the graph of the function.