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Graphing Rational Functions Answer

The document provides examples of analyzing rational functions, focusing on their short-run and long-run behaviors, including the identification of x-intercepts, y-intercepts, vertical asymptotes, and horizontal asymptotes. Each example illustrates the process of factoring the function, simplifying it, and determining key characteristics necessary for sketching the graph. The long-run behavior is summarized by the leading term of the function, indicating how the function behaves as x approaches infinity.

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Mawar math
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11 views4 pages

Graphing Rational Functions Answer

The document provides examples of analyzing rational functions, focusing on their short-run and long-run behaviors, including the identification of x-intercepts, y-intercepts, vertical asymptotes, and horizontal asymptotes. Each example illustrates the process of factoring the function, simplifying it, and determining key characteristics necessary for sketching the graph. The long-run behavior is summarized by the leading term of the function, indicating how the function behaves as x approaches infinity.

Uploaded by

Mawar math
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Example 1

3(𝑥+1)(𝑥−2)2
Given 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 3 −2𝑥
SHORT RUN BEHAVIOR: middle of graph
3(𝑥+1)(𝑥−2)2
1. Put the function in factored form 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥(𝑥+1)(𝑥−1)
3(𝑥−2)2
2. Simplify by cancelling factors 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥(𝑥−1) note there is a hole at x = -1
3. Solve for x-intercepts or horizontal intercepts
3(𝑥−2)2
a. 0 = 2𝑥(𝑥−1) ➔ 0 = 3(𝑥 − 2)2 , so 𝑥 = 2 , (2,0) is a double zero
4. Solve for y-intercept or vertical intercept
3(0−2)2 12
a. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2(0)(0−1) = this is a “PROBLEM” no dividing by 0!
0
b. There is no vertical intercept.
3(𝑥−2)2
5. Find vertical asymptote(s) if any𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥(𝑥−1)
a. Both x = 0 and x = 1 would make the denominator 0 so they are vertical asymptotes.
b. Both of the factors in the denominator have exponents of 1, so the behavior on either side of
both vertical asymptotes is like the behavior of 1/x (opposite directions).

LONG RUN BEHAVIOR: ends of graph


3(𝑥−2)2
𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥(𝑥−1)
3𝑥 2 3
leading term: 2𝑥 2 = 2 so the long run behavior is that this function will act like the constant function f(x)
= 3/2.
This means there is a Horizontal Asymptote at f(x) = 3/2.

NOW use this information to sketch a graph!


Example 2:
𝑥 2 −𝑥−6
𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 −4

SHORT RUN BEHAVIOR: middle of graph

(𝑥−3)(𝑥+2)
1. Factor form 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥−2)(𝑥+2)
(𝑥+2)
2. Simplify by cancelling factors 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥+2), there is a hole at x = -2.
(𝑥−3) (−2−3) −5 5 5
Substitute x = -2 to 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥−2) = (−2−2)= −4 = 4. Hole ata (-2, 4)
3. Solve for x-intercepts or horizontal intercepts
(𝑥−3)
a. 0 = (𝑥−2) ➔ 0 = (𝑥 − 3), so 𝑥 = 3. So, horizontal intercept (3, 0).
4. Solve for y-intercept or vertical intercept
(0−3) −3 3
a. 𝑓(𝑥) = (0−2) = −2 = 2. So, horizontal intercept (0, 3/2 ).
(𝑥−3)
5. Find vertical asymptote(s) if any𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥−2)
a. Note that x = 2 would make the denominator 0 so it is vertical asymptote.
b. Factor in the denominator have exponents of 1, so the behavior on either side of vertical
asymptote is like the behavior of 1/x (opposite directions).

LONG RUN BEHAVIOR: ends of graph


𝑥 2 −𝑥−6
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 −4
𝑥2
leading term: 𝑥 2 = 1 so the long run behavior is that this function will act like the constant function f(x)
= 1.
This means there is a Horizontal Asymptote at y = 1.

NOW use this information to sketch a graph!


Example 3:
2𝑥 2 −3𝑥−20
𝑞(𝑥) = 𝑥−5

SHORT RUN BEHAVIOR: middle of graph

(2𝑥+5) (𝑥−4)
1. Factor form 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥−5)
2. Solve for x-intercepts or horizontal intercepts
(2𝑥+5)(𝑥−4) 5 5
a. 0 = (𝑥−5) ➔ 0 = (2𝑥 + 5), so 𝑥 = − 2. So, horizontal intercept (− 2, 0).
(2𝑥+5)(𝑥−4)
b. 0 = (𝑥−5)
➔ 0 = (𝑥 − 4), so 𝑥 = 4. So, horizontal intercept (4, 0).
3. Solve for y-intercept or vertical intercept
(2(0)+5) (0−4)
a. 𝑓(𝑥) = (0−5)
= 4. So, horizontal intercept (0, 4 ).
(2𝑥+5) (𝑥−4)
4. Find vertical asymptote(s) if any𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥−5)
a. Note that x = 5 would make the denominator 0 so it is vertical asymptote.
b. Factor in the denominator have exponents of 1, so the behavior on either side of vertical
asymptote is like the behavior of 1/x (opposite directions).

LONG RUN BEHAVIOR: ends of graph


(2𝑥+5) (𝑥−4)
𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥−5)
2𝑥 2
leading term: 𝑥 = 2𝑥 so the long run behavior is that this function will act like the constant function
f(x) = 2x.
This means there is no a Horizontal Asymptote at y = 2x .

NOW use this information to sketch a graph!


Example 4:
(𝑥+2)2
𝑔(𝑥) = (𝑥−3)(𝑥+1)2

SHORT RUN BEHAVIOR: middle of graph

1. Solve for x-intercepts or horizontal intercepts


(𝑥+2)2
a. 0 = (𝑥−3)(𝑥+1)2 ➔ 0 = (𝑥 + 2), so 𝑥 = −2. So, horizontal intercept (-2, 0)
2. Solve for y-intercept or vertical intercept
(0+2)2 4 −4 −4
a. 𝑓(𝑥) = (0−3)(0+1)2 = −3 = . So, horizontal intercept (0, .).
3 3
(𝑥+2)2
3. Find vertical asymptote(s) if any𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥−3)(𝑥+1)2
a. Both x = 3 and x = -1 would make the denominator 0 so they are vertical asymptotes.
b. Factor in the denominator (𝑥 − 3) have exponents of 1, so the behavior on either side of
vertical asymptote x = 3 is like the behavior of 1/x (opposite directions).
c. Factor in the denominator (𝑥 + 1)2 have exponents of 2, so the behavior on either side of
vertical asymptote x = -1 is same directions.

LONG RUN BEHAVIOR: ends of graph


(𝑥+2)2
𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥−3)(𝑥+1)2
𝑥2 1
leading term: 𝑥 3 = 𝑥, so the long run behavior is that this function will act like the constant function f(x)
= 0.
This means there is a Horizontal Asymptote at y = 0.

NOW use this information to sketch a graph!

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