Asymptotes of Rational Functions

The domain of the rational function, based on its definition, is the set of all possible values of x
except real numbers that will make the denominator equal to zero, since a fraction with the
denominator equal to zero is undefined. Hence, the domain of f is {x/x≠ 0}.
To determine the domain of the function of a rational function, set the denominator equal to
zero and solve for x. The domain will be the set of real numbers except the values of x from the
solution.
The range of a function is the set of all possible values for y. In the function f, we have a
fraction with a positive numerator. This fraction will be positive if the denominator is positive
and will be negative if the denominator is negative.
Will it ever be equal to 0? Let’s see.
1
0=
x
x(0) = 1
0=1
But 0 will never be equal to 1. Hence, the answer is no. It will never be 0. So, the range of
the function is
{y/y ≠0}.

1
We found that as x increases, the value of decreases. That is,it becomes closer and
x
closer to 0, but it will never be equal to 0, as we have shown. This approached value is a
characteristic of rational function called asymptote.

Horizontal Asymptote
Let f be a function. If, as x approaches +∞ or -∞, f(x) approaches real number L, then the line y = L is
A horizontal asymptote of the graph of f.

1
Hence, the horizontal asymptote of f(x) = is the line y = 0
x

Let N = degree of the numerator and D = degree of the denominator.

Cases Condition Horizontal Asymptote
1 If N < D Y = 0 or the x-axis
2 N= D a
Y= , where a is the lead coefficient of the numerator
b
and b is the lead coefficient of the denominator

3 N>D No horizontal asymptote

Since the domain of f is the set of real number except 0, we can see that the line does not
touch the line
x = 0. This imaginary line that the graph approaches, but cannot touch as a consequence of the
restrictions, in the domain is called a vertical asymptote.

Vertical Asymptote
 Let f be a function. If as x approaches M, f(x) approaches +∞ or -∞, then the line x= M is a vertical asymptote
of the graph of f.

Example 1: Find the domain, vertical and horizontal asymptotes of the following rational
functions.

x +1 4 x +1
2
a. f(x) = b. f(x) =
x−4 3x
2

Domain: x – 4 = 0 , xϵ R/{4 } Domain: 3 x 2 = 0, xϵ R/{0 }

V.A. x = 4 V.A. x=0
H.A. y = 1
4
H.A. y=
3
3
x −1 4
c. f(x) = d. f(x) =
x
2 x−6
Domain: x-6 = 0 , xϵ R/{6 }
Domain: x = 0 , , 2
xϵ R/{0 } V.A. x=6
V.A. x = 0 H.A. y=0
H.A. y = none

x
e. f(x) = 2
x −x−6

Domain: x 2 -x -6 = 0, (x-3)(x+2) = 0, x
ϵ R/{−2 , 3}
V.A. x=-2, x= 3
H.A. y=0

2 x−1
Example 2: Draw the graph of Q(x) =
x +3
Solution:
First, draw the asymptotes.
Vertical asymptote: x + 3 = 0, so, x = -3
Horizontal asymptote:
Case 2. Degree of numerator = degree of denominator
Lead coefficient of numerator 2
Lead coefficient of denominator 1
Therefore, the horizontal asymptote is y= 2

To find the x-intercept, set y =

0.

2 x−1
=0
x +3
2x – 1 = 0
1
x =
2
 Regions Determine the sign What this means
X < -3 Test any value less -3, say -4. We have, It is positive and greater than 1. So, all
(−8−1) Points in this region will above the
Y= =9 Horizontal asymptote
(−4 +3)

1 Test 0, for easy computation. All points on the graph in this interval
-3 < x < −1 l ( between the vertical asymptote and the x-
2 When x = 0, y =
3 intercept) will below the x-axis.
The sign is negative.
1 ¿ =1 All Points on the graph to the right of x-
x> X= 1, y = 2−1 ¿ intercept will lie above the x-axis.
2 (1+3) 4
The sign is positive.

Thus, we have the graph.

Plotting the y-intercept will help you create
a more accurate picture of the graph.
It is also helpful to note that the graph of a
rational function also obeys the rule on
horizontal and vertical translation, reflection,
shrinking, and stretching. This will enable us
to draw without having to go through a long
tedious process.

x+ 1
Example 3: Sketch the graph of f(x) =
x−2
Solution: The domain is the set of all real numbers except 2.
To find the range, get f −1(x).
The graph is given below:
 x+ 1
y=
x−2
y +1
x=
y−2
xy – 2x = y + 1
xy – y = 2x + 1
y(x – 1) = 2x + 1
2 x +1
y=
x−1
−1 2 x +1
f (x) = Therefore, the
x−1

Example 4: Find the vertical and horizontal asymptotes of the following rational
functions.

3 x
1. G(x) = 2. G(x) =
x−1 2
x −4
V.A. x = 1, H.A. y=0 V.A. x = ±2, H.A. y = 0

2 2
3. G(x) =
x −4 x−5 4. G(x) =
2 x −x−1
x −3 3x
V.A. x = 3, H.A. none V.A. x = 0, H.A. none

2 2
5. G(x) =
x x +2 x−8
6. G(x) = 2
4 x−2 2 x −3 x−5
1 5 1
V.A. x = , H.A. none V.A. x = -1, x = , H.A. y =
2 2 2

1
Example 5: Draw the graph of g(x) = .
x+2
Solution:
We know the characteristic of
1
the graph of f(x) = x . The
graph of g is a translation of the
graph of f two units to the left.
Hence, the horizontal asymptote
will not be affected, the vertical
asymptote will move from 0 to -
2, and there will be no change in
the general shape of the graph.
 We know that the graph of a rational function will never intersect its vertical asymptote. It
will not also intersect its horizontal asymptote. But in some cases, a part of the graph may
intersect its horizontal asymptote.

x
Example 6: At what point, if any, will graph of f(x) = intersect its horizontal asymptote.
2
x −1
Solution: The horizontal asymptote of f is the x-axis, or the line y = 0. We have

x
0= 2
x −1
0=x Therefore, the graph will intersect its horizontal
asymptote at (0,0).

3 x −4
Example 7: Determine whether or not the graph of h(x) = will intersect its horizontal
2 x +1
asymptote.

3 3 x−4 Solution:
=
2 2 x+ 1 3 3
The horizontal asymptote of h is y = 2 . Let y = 2 and
3(2x + 1) = 2(3x-4) solve for x. If the question gives x-values, then the graph
6x + 3 = 6x – 8
will intersect the horizontal asymptote. If the equation
results in a contradiction, then it will not.
3=8

Therefore, the graph of h will not intersect its horizontal asymptote.

Oblique Asymptote(also known as diagonal or slant asymptote)

The line y = mx + b is an oblique asymptote for the graph of f(x): if f(x) gets close to mx + b or x gets
really large or really small.

Finding oblique asymptote:

a. A given rational function will either have only one oblique asymptote or no oblique asymptote.
b. If a rational function has a horizontal asymptote, it will not have an oblique asymptote.
c. Oblique asymptotes only occur when the numerator of f(x) has a degree that is one higher than the
 degree of the denominator.
d. When you have this situation, simply divide the numerator by the denominator, using long division
or synthetic division. The quotient (set equal to y) will be the oblique asymptote. Note that the
remainder is ignored.

Example8: Determine the oblique asymptote of the following rational equations.

Solution: using synthetic division:

2
4 x +5 x−2 -1/ 4 5 -2
a. f(x) = -4 -1
x +1
4 1 -3
Y = 4x + 1 is the oblique asymptote

2
2 x −5 x +1
b. f(x) =
2 x−3 Solution: using synthetic division:

3
/ 2 -5 1
2
3 3
2 -2 4
Y = 2x - 2
2
Y = x – 1 is the oblique asymptote

2 Solution:
6 x +5 x−6
c. f(x) = first, arrange your denominator in terms of x: f(x) =
2−3 x 2
6 x +5 x−6
3 x−2
Using synthetic division:
2
/¿ -6 -5 6
3
-4 - 6
-6 -9 0
Y = -6x -9
3
Y = -2x-3 is the oblique asymptote
 Solution:
using long division:
-2x -2
2
-x+ 3│2 x −4 x +5
2
2
2 x −4 x +5 2 x −6 x
d. f(x) =
3−x 2x + 5
2x - 6
11

y = -2x -2 is the oblique asymptote.