Lesson 11: Rational Function

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Rational function is written in the form of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑝(𝑥) 𝑞(𝑥) .

It should follow the following conditions; namely:

1. Both p(x) and q(x) are polynomial functions wherein it has no negative and fractional
exponents. 2. The denominator or q(x) should not be equal to 0.
3. The domain of all values of x where q(x) ≠ 0.

Representations of Rational Function

Example 1: Represent the speed of a runner as a function of the time it takes to run 100
meters in the track.
100
Equation: 𝑠(𝑡) =
𝑡

Table of Values: (substitute the value of x as 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20…then solve for y or
f(x)

T 10 12 14 16 18 20
s(t) 10 8.33 7.14 6.25 5.56 5

Graph:

QUIZ 11: Write the letter of the correct answer (sa 1/2 , answers only)

𝑝(𝑥)
1. It is a function of the form 𝑓(𝑥) = where p(x) and q(x) are polynomial
𝑞(𝑥)
functions and q(x) is not the zero function.
a. Rational Equation c. Rational Function
b. Rational Expression d. Rational Inequality
2. Which of the following is an example of rational function?
𝑥 2 +3𝑥+2 1
a. c. >0
𝑥+4 4𝑥 2
2𝑥+1 3 21
b. 𝑓(𝑥) = d. + = 1
𝑥−3 𝑥 𝑥
3 How will you represent this as a rational function: The local barangay received a
budget of ₱100,000 to provide medical checkups for the children in the barangay.
The amount is to be allocated equally among all the children in the barangay. What
is the equation representing the relationship of the allotted amount per child( y
variable)versus the total number of children(x-variable)?
a. 𝑓(𝑥) = 100, 000 – 𝑥 c. 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 100,000
100,000
b. 𝑓(𝑥) = 100,000𝑥 d. 𝑦 =
𝑥
 𝑥
4. Which of the following tables represents the values for the function 𝑔(𝑥) = ?
𝑥+1

A. x -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4

f(x) -0.25 -0.33 -0.5 -1 0 1 0.5 0.33 0.25

B. x -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4

f(x) -0.17 -0.2 -0.25 -0.33 -0.5 -1 0 1 0.5

C. x -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4

f(x) 1.33 1.5 2 0 0 0.5 0.67 0.75 0.8

D. x -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4

f(x) -0.27 -0.34 -0.58 -2 1 1 0.58 0.34 0.27

5. Which of the following represents the graph of rational function?

a. b. c. d.

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Lesson 12: Properties of a rational function
Domain of a function – determine the restricted values of x (based on the denominator)
Range of the function – all possible values of f(x) (except the horizontal asymptote)
Zeros or x-intercepts of a function are the values of x which make the function zero.
y-intercept is the function value when x=0. (substitute 0 to x then solve for y)
Vertical asymptote - reduce the rational function to lowest terms, find the values a that will
make the denominator of the reduced rational function equal to zero. The line x = a is a
vertical asymptote.
Horizontal asymptote - let n be the degree of the numerator and m be the degree of the
denominator:

• If n < m, the horizontal asymptote is y = 0.

𝑎
• If n = m, the horizontal asymptote is 𝑦 = , where a is the leading coefficient of the
𝑏
numerator and b is the leading coefficient of the denominator.
• If n > m, there is no horizontal asymptote.
Read lang po.
Determine the horizontal asymptotes of the graph of
3𝑥+4
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2
2𝑥 +3𝑥+1

Ano ang highest exponent ng x ng numerator: 3x , kaya 1

Ano ang highest exponent ng x ng denominator: 2x2 , kaya 2

1 < 2, kaya Case 1 cia sa horizontal asymptote kaya

Horizantal Asymptote is y = 0

2𝑥 2 −5
2. 𝑓(𝑥) =
3𝑥 2 +𝑥−7

Ano ang highest exponent ng x ng numerator: 2x2 , kaya 2

Ano ang highest exponent ng x ng denominator: 3x2, kaya 2
𝑎
2 = 2, kaya Case 2 cia , 𝑦 = , where a is the leading coefficient of the numerator
𝑏
and b is the leading
coefficient of the denominator.
𝑎
𝑦 = , a = 2, b = 3 kaya
𝑏

2
Horizantal Asymptote is 𝑦 =
3

4𝑥 3 −1
3. 𝑓(𝑥) =
3𝑥 2 +2𝑥−5

Ano ang highest exponent ng x ng numerator: 4x3 , kaya 4

Ano ang highest exponent ng x ng denominator: 3x2, kaya 3

4 > 3, kaya Case 3, kaya

No Horizontal Asymptote.

Read lang
𝑥−2
Determine the properties of the rational function 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥+2

1. Domain – let the numerator be equal to zero to determine the restricted value (value of
x that will make the denominator equal to zero. Remember that the denominator of a
rational function must not be be equal to 0) then solve for x.

x+2 =0
x=-2

Domain: { x / x ≠ restricted value } = { x / x ≠ - 2 }

Domain: { x / x ≠ - 2 }
 2. Range – follow the idea on horizontal asymptote.
n – exponent of the numerator
m – exponent of the denominator
if n = m, Case 2, then get the numerical coefficient of the leading term of the
numerator and
denominator.
1𝑥−2 1
, then 𝑦 = = 1
1𝑥+2 1

Range : { y / y ≠ horizontal asymptote } = { y / y ≠ -1 }

Range: { y / y ≠ -1 }

3. x-intercept or zeros of the function – value of x when y or f(x) is equal to zero.

Substitute 0 to y, then solve for x.
𝑥−2
𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥+2
𝑥−2
0=
𝑥+2
0 (𝑥 + 2) = 𝑥 − 2
2=𝑥 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 = 2

x-intercept is a = 2

4. y-intercept – it is the value of y when x is equal to zero. Substitute 0 to all x then

simplify.
𝑥 − 2 0 − 2 −2
𝑓(𝑥) = = = = −1
𝑥+2 0+2 2
𝑦= −1

y-intercept is b = - 1

5. Vertical Asymptote – is represented by a broken vertical line that indicates the restricted
value of x. related to the domain.

Vertical Asymptote : x = domain

Vertical Asymptotes is x = 2

6. Horizontal Asymptote – is represented by a broken horizontal line that is related to the

range.

Horizontal Asymptote : y = range, y = 1

Horizontal Asymptote : y = 1
Graph of a Rational Function
Orange broken line

- horizontal asymptote

Blue broken line

- vertical asymptote

Green mark sa y-axis

- y-intercept

Red mark sa x-axis

- y-intercept

Takehome QUIZ 12 ( sa same ½ crosswise ng quiz 11)

𝑥−2
QUIZ 12: Determine the properties of the rational function 𝑓(𝑥) = given the properties below.
𝑥+5
(no need to show the graph)
a. Domain d. y intercept
b. Range e. vertical asymptote
c. Zeros or x intercept f. horizontal asymptote