RATIONAL FUNCTION

MS. GREATCH
 LESSON OBJECTIVES

• 1. Review: Polynomial functions

• 2. Real-life situations that can
be modeled by rational
functions
• 3. Definition of a polynomial
functions
SCENARIO 1:

(a) The local barangay received a budget of P100,

000 to provide medical checkups for the children in
the barangay. The amount is to be allotted equally
among all the children in the barangay. Write an
equation representing the relationship of the
allotted amount per child(y-variable) versus the
total number of children (x-variable).
 FILL UP THE TABLE BELOW WITH THE DIERENT
ALLOTMENT AMOUNTS FOR DIERENT VALUES
FOR THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN:

No. of children, x 10 20 50 100 200

Allocated amount, y 10,000 5000 2000 1000 500
SCENARIO 2:
(b) A philanthropist wants to supplement the budget allotted
for each child by providing an additional P750 for each child
in the barangay. If g(x) represents this new amount allotted
for each child, construct a function representing this
relationship.
 FILL UP THE TABLE BELOW WITH THE DIERENT
ALLOTMENT AMOUNTS FOR DIERENT VALUES
FOR THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN:

No. of children, x 10 20 50 100 200

Allocated amount, y 10,750 5750 2750 1750 1250
RATIONAL FUNCTION
EXAMPLE 1. AN OBJECT IS TO TRAVEL A DISTANCE OF 10
METERS. EXPRESS VELOCITY V AS A FUNCTION V(T) OF
TRAVEL TIME T, IN SECONDS

t (seconds) 1 2 4 5 10

v (meters per second) 5 2.5 2 1

10
EXAMPLE 2:
𝟓𝒕
Suppose that 𝐜𝐭 = 𝟐 (in mg/mL) represents the
𝒕 +𝟏
concentration of a drug in a patient’s bloodstream t
hours after the drug was administered. Construct a
table of values for c(t), for t = 1, 2, 5, 10. Round off
answers to three decimal places. Use the table to
sketch the graph and interpret the result.

t 0 1 2 5 10
C(t) 0 2.5 3 0.962 0.495
 RATIONAL FUNCTIONS,
EQUATIONS AND INEQUALITIES
Rational expression because it is
a ratio of two polynomials.
Rational expression because the
numerator 1 is a polynomial (of
degree 0).
Not a rational expression since the
numerator is not a polynomial.

Rational expression which is also

a polynomial.
 RATIONAL EQUATION RATIONAL RATIONAL FUNCTION
INEQUALITY

DEFINITION An equation An inequality A function in the

involving rational involving rational form of f 𝑥 = 𝑝(𝑥)
𝑞 𝑥
expressions. expressions
where, p(x) and q(x)
are polynomial, and
q(x) is ≠ to zero.
EXAMPLE
SOLVING RATIONAL EQUATIONS
AND INEQUALITIES
𝒙+𝟏 𝒙+𝟏
= 𝟏𝟎 ≤ 𝟏𝟎
𝟐𝒙 𝟐𝒙
 PROCEDURE FOR SOLVING RATIONAL EQUATION

• (a) Eliminate denominators by multiplying

each term of the equation by the least
common denominator.
• (b) Note that eliminating denominators may
introduce extraneous solutions. Check the
solutions of the transformed equations with
the original equation.
 𝟐 𝟑 𝟏
EXAMPLE 1. Solve for x: − =
𝒙 𝟐𝒙 𝟓

𝒙 𝟏 𝟖
EXAMPLE 2. Solve for x: − =
𝒙+𝟐 𝒙−𝟐 𝒙𝟐 −𝟒
EXAMPLE 3. In an inter-barangay basketball league, the
team from Barangay Culiat has won 12 out of 25 games, a
winning percentage of 48%. How many games should they
win in a row to improve their win percentage to 60%?

Solution. Let x represent the number of games that they need to

win to raise their percentage to 60%. The team has already won 12
out of their 25 games. If they win x games in a row to increase
theirpercentage to 60%, then they would have played 12 + x games
out of 25 + x games. The equation is
INTERVAL AND SET NOTATION
 PROCEDURE FOR SOLVING RATIONAL INEQUALITIES

• (a) Use addition or subtraction to rewrite the

inequality as a single fraction on one side of the
inequality symbol and 0 on the other side. This
step is explained more fully in the box below.
• (b) Determine over what intervals the fraction
takes on positive and negative values.
• i. Locate the x-values for which the rational expression
is zero or undefined (factoring the numerator and
denominator is a useful strategy).
 PROCEDURE FOR SOLVING RATIONAL INEQUALITIES

• ii. Mark the numbers found in (i) on a number line. Use a

shaded circle to indicate that the value is included in the
solution set, and a hollow circle to indicate that the value is
excluded. These numbers partition the number line into
intervals.
• iii. Select a test point within the interior of each interval in (ii).
The sign of the rational expression at this test point is also the
sign of the rational expression at each interior point in the
aforementioned interval.
• iv. Summarize the intervals containing the solutions.
 𝟐𝒙
EXAMPLE 1. Solve the inequality ≥𝟏
𝒙+𝟏
Solution. (a) Rewrite the inequality as a single fraction on
one side, and 0 on the other side.
(b) The value x = 1 is included in the solution since it makes the
fraction equal to zero, while x = −1makes the fraction undefined.
Mark these on a number line. Use a shaded circle for x = 1 (a
solution) and an unshaded circle for x = −1 (not a solution).

(c) Choose convenient test points in the intervals determined by

𝒙−𝟏
−1 and 1 to determine the sign of in this intervals. Construct
𝒙+𝟏
a table of signs as shown below.
(d) Since we are looking for the intervals where the
fraction is positive or zero, we determine the solution
intervals to be x < −1 and x ≥ 1. Plot these intervals on the
number line
 REPRESENTATIONS OF RATIONAL
FUNCTIONS

• table of values
• graphs
• Equations/function notation
 RATIONAL FUNCTION

• A rational function is a function that is the ratio of

polynomials. Any function of one variable, x, is
called a rational function if, it can be represented
as f(x) = p(x)/q(x), where p(x) and q(x) are
polynomials such that q(x) ≠ 0.
 REPRESENTATIONS OF RATIONAL
FUNCTIONS

• Pueblo por la Playa is a 12.5 hectare Mexican-inspired

exclusive leisure club nestled off the calm, clear waters of
Pagbilao Quezon. The "Pueblo" offers the total leisure and
recreation experience for the entire family. Since it is an
exclusive resort, it has a membership fee. Pueblo Por La
Playa charges a ₱300,000.00 annual fee, then ₱700.00 for
each day you stay there. Find the average cost per day to
stay in the resort in 5, 10, 15 and up to 30 days. Graph the
function to show whether it forms a straight line or a
curve.
 FUNCTION NOTATION

• Let f(x) represents the average cost per day

and x represent the number in days. Note
that ₱300,000.00 is a fixed price you need
to pay plus the ₱700.00 per day divided by
the number of days (x).
 TABLE OF VALUES

• For every 5 day stay in the resort, create a table of

values showing the average cost.
X 0 5 10 15 20 25 30

f(x) 0 60,700 30,700 20,700 15,700 12,700 10,700

GRAPH
 DOMAIN AND RANGE OF RATIONAL
FUNCTIONS

• How to find the domain of a rational

function:

• find the restrictions for x,

e.g. the zeroes of the denominator
 DOMAIN AND RANGE OF RATIONAL
FUNCTIONS

• Find the domain of the function

{x | x ϵ R, x ≠ 0} or simply {x ϵ R
| x ≠ 0}
DOMAIN AND RANGE OF RATIONAL
FUNCTIONS
 DOMAIN AND RANGE OF RATIONAL
FUNCTIONS

• How to find the range of the

function:

• Solve for x in terms of y, then find the

restrictions for y
 FIND THE RANGE OF
F(X) = (2X + 1) / (3X - 2).

{y ∈ R | y ≠ 2/3}
 DOMAIN AND RANGE OF RATIONAL
FUNCTIONS

• Find the range of the function

𝑥−2
𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥+2
 WEEK 3 MELCS

At the end of the session, the learner

1. Determines the
a. intercepts
b. zeroes
c. asymptotes of rational functions.

2. Solves problems involving rational functions, rational equations and

rational inequalities.
 SUMMARY OF HOW TO
FIND ASYMPTOTES

Vertical Asymptotes are the values that are NOT in the domain.
To find them, set the denominator = 0 and solve.
“WHAT VALUES CAN I NOT PUT IN THE
DENOMINATOR????”

To determine horizontal or oblique asymptotes, compare the degrees of the numerator and
denominator.
1. If the degree of the top < the bottom, horizontal asymptote along the x axis (y = 0)
2. If the degree of the top = bottom, horizontal asymptote at y = leading coefficient of top over
leading coefficient of bottom
3. If the degree of the top > the bottom, oblique asymptote found by long division.
 VERTICAL ASYMPTOTES

There will be a vertical asymptote at any “illegal” x value, so

anywhere that would make the denominator = 0

𝑥 2 +2𝑥+5
R(x)= 2 So there are vertical
𝑥 −3𝑥−4 asymptotes at x = 4 and x = -1.

(x − 4)(x + 1) = 0
Let’s set the bottom = 0 and
factor and solve to find where
the vertical asymptote(s) should
be.
 HORIZONTAL ASYMPTOTES
We compare the degrees of the polynomial in the numerator and the
polynomial in the denominator to tell us about horizontal asymptotes.

1<2
degree of top = 1
If the degree of the numerator is less than
1 the degree of the denominator, (remember
the x axis
2x + 5
R(x ) = 2
degree
is a horizontal
is the highest
asymptote.
powerThis
on any
is along
x term)
the line
x axis
y =is0.a horizontal asymptote.
x − 3x + 4

degree of bottom = 2
 HORIZONTAL ASYMPTOTES

The leading coefficient is the

number in front of the highest
degree of top = 2 powered x term.

If the degree of the numerator is equal to the

2𝑥 2 +4𝑥+5 degree of the denominator, then there is a
R(x)=1 2 horizontal asymptote at:
𝑥 −3𝑥−4 y = leading coefficient of top
leading coefficient of bottom

degree of bottom = 2

horizontal asymptote at:

2
y= =2
1
 OBLIQUE ASYMPTOTES -
Slanted
If the degree of the numerator is greater
than the degree of the denominator, then
degree of top = 3 there is not a horizontal asymptote, but an
oblique one. The equation is found by
doing long division and the quotient is the

x + 2 x − 3x + 5
3 2 equation of the oblique asymptote ignoring

R(x ) = the remainder.

x − 3x + 4
2

degree of bottom = 2

𝑥+5

x − 3x − 4 x + 2 x − 3x + 5
2 3 2
 STRATEGY FOR GRAPHING A RATIONAL
FUNCTION

1. Graph your asymptotes and the intercepts

2. Plot points to the left and right of each asymptote
to see the curve
 2x − 3
f ( x) =
5 x + 10
10
8
6
• The vertical asymptote is x = -2 4
2

• The horizontal asymptote is y = 2/5 -10 -8 -6 -4 -2 2 4 6 8 10

-2
-4
-6
-8
-10
 SKETCH THE
GRAPH OF:

Vertical asymptotes at??

x=1

Horizontal asymptote at??

y=0
 SKETCH THE
GRAPH OF:

2
f (x) =
x
Vertical asymptotes at??

x=0

 Horizontal asymptote at??

y=0
Identifying Vertical Asymptotes of Rational
Functions
(Removable Discontinuities)
INTERCEPTS AND ZEROS OF A
FUNCTION
Zeroes of the function – are the values of x
which make the function zero.

Intercepts of a graph of a function- the real

numbered zeroes are also x- intercepts of the
graph and the y-intercept is the value of a function
when x is zero.
Finding the intercepts of the graph of a function: from the
given definition above, the zeroes of the function are also the
x- intercepts of the graph of the given function

Therefore to find the x- intercept is the same procedure as

finding the zeroes. For the y-intercept replace the variable x
by zero then solve for the value of y.
Find the x-intercept and the y-intercept of the given function
𝑿+𝟑
𝑭 𝑿 = 𝟐
𝑿 − 𝟐𝑿 − 𝟑
For x-intercept For y-intercept
f(x) = y = 0 f(x) = y
𝑿+𝟑 𝑿+𝟑
𝟎= 𝟐 𝒚= 𝟐
𝑿 − 𝟐𝑿 − 𝟑
𝑿 − 𝟐𝑿 − 𝟑 Replacing x by zero:
𝑿+𝟑=𝟎 𝟎+𝟑
𝑿 = −𝟑 𝒚= 𝟐
𝟎 − 𝟐(𝟎) − 𝟑
𝟑
𝒚= = −𝟏
−𝟑
Find the intercepts of the
following: