MHF 4U – Rational Functions Date: ___________________

Reciprocal of Linear Functions

Example 1 Fill out the grids provided for the functions given, then plot the points on the graphs
below. Once completed, observe characteristics of each function (end behaviour, zeros,
domain and range etc.) How can you make a sketch of one function from the other
function?

𝟏 𝟏
Function −𝟑 −𝟐 −𝟏 − 𝟎 𝟏 𝟐 𝟑
𝟐 𝟐
𝑦=𝑥
1
𝑦=
𝑥

Observations:

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MHF 4U – Rational Functions Date: ___________________

𝟑 𝟏
Function 𝟎 𝟏 𝟐 𝟐 𝟑 𝟑 𝟒 𝟓 𝟔
𝟒 𝟒
𝑦 = −2𝑥 + 6
1
𝑦=
−2𝑥 + 6

Observations:

2
MHF 4U – Rational Functions Date: ___________________
𝑓(𝑥)
Rational Function A rational function has the form ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑥) where 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥) are
polynomials and 𝑔(𝑥) ≠ 0.

Domain of a Rational Function The domain of a rational function consists of all real numbers except the
zeros of the polynomial in the denominator, 𝑔(𝑥) ≠ 0

Zeros of a Rational Function The zeros of ℎ(𝑥) are the zeros of the numerator, 𝑓(𝑥), if ℎ(𝑥) is in
simplified form.

Asymptotes The graph of a rational function has at least one asymptote, which may be:

Vertical Horizontal Oblique

Vertical Asymptote can be found where the function is undefined. You will find the vertical
asymptotes algebraically by setting the denominator equal to zero and solving
for 𝑥.

Horizontal Asymptote indicates the behaviour far off to both sides of the graph (end behaviour). It can
be found by setting up a chart for large negative and positive values of 𝑥.

Note The graph of a rational function never crosses a vertical asymptote but it may or may not cross a
horizontal asymptote. Also, it is possible for a rational function to have more than one horizontal
asymptote.

General Steps for Graphing Rational Functions

Step 1 Simplify your rational function (i.e. factor if possible)
Step 2 Find the 𝑥 intercepts and 𝑦 intercept (if there are any)
Step 3 Find the vertical asymptote (VA) by setting the denominator equal to zero and solve for 𝑥
(determining the values that would cause the function to be undefined)
Step 4 Find the horizontal asymptotes (HA) by determining the end behaviour of the function. (What
value would the function approach to as 𝑥 → −∞ and as 𝑥 → ∞)
Step 5 Determine the behaviour of the function on both sides of the vertical asymptote
Step 6 Graph it.

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MHF 4U – Rational Functions Date: ___________________
Example 2 Sketch a graph of each function. Label the 𝑥/𝑦 intercepts (if possible) and the equations
of the asymptotes. State the domain and range.
1
𝑦=
2𝑥 + 7

3
𝑓(𝑥) =
2−𝑥

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MHF 4U – Rational Functions Date: ___________________
1
𝑔(𝑥) = −
𝑥+3

2
ℎ(𝑥) =
5 − 2𝑥

5
MHF 4U – Rational Functions Date: ___________________

Reciprocal of Quadratic Functions

Example 1 Fill out the grids provided for the functions given, then plot the points on the graphs
below. Once completed, observe characteristics of each function (end behaviour, zeros,
domain and range etc.) How can you make a sketch of one function from the other
function?

𝟏 𝟏
Function −𝟑 −𝟐 −𝟏 − 𝟎 𝟏 𝟐 𝟑
𝟐 𝟐
𝑦 = 𝑥2
1
𝑦=
𝑥2

Observations:

1
MHF 4U – Rational Functions Date: ___________________

𝟏 𝟏
Function −𝟑 −𝟐 −𝟏 − 𝟎 𝟏 𝟐 𝟑
𝟐 𝟐
𝑦 = 𝑥2 − 4
1
𝑦=
𝑥2 −4

Observations:

General Steps for Graphing Rational Functions

Step 1 Simplify your rational function (i.e. factor if possible)
Step 2 Find the 𝑥 intercepts and 𝑦 intercept (if there are any)
Step 3 Find the vertical asymptote (VA) by setting the denominator equal to zero and solve for 𝑥
(determining the values that would cause the function to be undefined)
Step 4 Find the horizontal asymptotes (HA) by determining the end behaviour of the function. (What
value would the function approach to as 𝑥 → −∞ and as 𝑥 → ∞)
Step 5 Determine the behaviour of the function on both sides of the vertical asymptote
Step 6 Graph it.

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MHF 4U – Rational Functions Date: ___________________
Example 2 Sketch a graph of each function. Label the 𝑥/𝑦 intercepts (if possible) and the equations
of the asymptotes. State the domain and range.
1
𝑦=
(𝑥 + 2)2

1
𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥2 − 3𝑥 − 10

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MHF 4U – Rational Functions Date: ___________________
1
𝑔(𝑥) = −
𝑥2 −4

2
ℎ(𝑥) =
𝑥2 +4

4
MHF 4U – Rational Functions Date: ___________________
𝒂𝒙+𝒃
Rational Functions of the Form 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒄𝒙+𝒅
Part 1 Horizontal Asymptotes
How do you find the 𝑥-intercept?

How do you find the 𝑦-intercept?

How do you find the vertical asymptotes?

How do you find the horizontal asymptotes?

5𝑥+3
Example 1 Find the horizontal asymptote for the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥−4
Substitute increasingly larger values for 𝑥 as well as increasingly smaller values of 𝑥 to determine the end
behaviour.
𝒙 𝒇(𝒙) 𝒙 𝒇(𝒙)
−100 100

−1000 1000

−10000 10000

−100000 100000

−1000000 1000000

Therefore, as 𝑥 → ∞, 𝑓(𝑥) → and as 𝑥 → −∞, 𝑓(𝑥) →

As a general rule for finding horizontal asymptotes:

𝑥𝑛
Given that the numerator and denominator are polynomial in 𝑥 degree 𝑛 and 𝑚 respectively (eg 𝑥 𝑚)
- If 𝑛 < 𝑚, then the horizontal asymptote is 𝑦 = 0
𝑐𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑥 𝑛 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
- If 𝑛 = 𝑚, then the horizontal asymptote is 𝑦 = 𝑐𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑥𝑚 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
- If 𝑛 > 𝑚, then there is no horizontal asymptote

Example 2 Determine the equation of the horizontal asymptote for each function.
4𝑥 5𝑥 2 𝑥
a. 𝑓(𝑥) = b. 𝑔(𝑥) = c. ℎ(𝑥) = (𝑥
𝑥−3 3+𝑥 − 8)2

1
 MHF 4U – Rational Functions Date: ___________________
Part 2 Graphing Rational Functions

2
Example 3 Fill in the table and graph 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥−3. Remember to check whether the horizontal
asymptote is crossed at any point.

𝑥 – intercept

𝑦 – intercept

Vertical Asymptote(s)

Behaviour near vertical

asymptotes(s)

Horizontal Asymptote(s)

End Behaviour

Domain

Range

Interval of Increase

Interval of Decrease

Interval where slope is +

Interval where slope is −

Interval where 𝑓(𝑥) is +

Interval where 𝑓(𝑥) is −

2
 MHF 4U – Rational Functions Date: ___________________
6𝑥
Example 4 Fill in the table and graph 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥−1. Remember to check whether the horizontal
asymptote is crossed at any point.

𝑥 – intercept

𝑦 – intercept

Vertical Asymptote(s)

Behaviour near vertical

asymptotes(s)

Horizontal Asymptote(s)

End Behaviour

Domain

Range

Interval

Sign of 𝒇(𝒙)
Sign of Slope
𝒇(𝒙) Increasing /
Decreasing

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 MHF 4U – Rational Functions Date: ___________________
𝑥−2
Example 5 Fill in the table and graph 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥+1 Remember to check whether the horizontal
asymptote is crossed at any point.

𝑥 – intercept

𝑦 – intercept

Vertical Asymptote(s)

Behaviour near vertical

asymptotes(s)

Horizontal Asymptote(s)

End Behaviour

Domain

Range

Interval

Sign of 𝒇(𝒙)
Sign of Slope
𝒇(𝒙) Increasing /
Decreasing

Summary: Once the key properties of the rational function are found, the graph can be easily
drawn. Always remember to check whether the graph crosses the horizontal asymptote.
Unlike a vertical asymptote, the graph may cross the horizontal asymptote.

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MHF 4U – Rational Functions Date: ___________________

Holes
Holes are a type of discontinuity in a graph, and they occur when a factor in the numerator, cancels out a
factor in the denominator (therefore removing the vertical asymptote)

For example, if we want to graph

𝑥2 − 𝑥 − 2
𝑦=
𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 8

we start by factoring the numerator and the denominator and we would get
(𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 2)
𝑦=
(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 4)

At first glance, you might think that there are two vertical asymptotes at 𝑥 = 2 and 𝑥 = 4, but if you look
at it closely, you would notice that the factor (𝑥 − 2) is in both the numerator and the denominator, so in
fact we have
(𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 + 2)
𝑦=
(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 4)
𝑥+1
𝑦=
𝑥−4
𝑥 2 −𝑥−2 𝑥+1
so, when we want to graph 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 −6𝑥+8, we graph its equivalent function 𝑦 = 𝑥−4, but we should note
3
that the function is still undefined at 𝑥 = 2, and at that point which has coordinates of (2, − ) we say
2
that it has a hole.
𝑥 2 −9
Example 1 Sketch 𝑦 = 𝑥+3
. Show all of your work.

1
MHF 4U – Rational Functions Date: ___________________
𝑥 2 −1
Example 2 Sketch 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 −2𝑥−3. Show all of your work.

2
MHF 4U – Rational Functions Date: ___________________

Graphing Rational Functions - Practice

For each of the following rational functions, determine the following.
i. Find the coordinates of any intercepts (𝑥 and 𝑦)
ii. Determine the equation(s) of any asymptotes
iii. Analyze the behaviour of the function near the vertical asymptote(s)
iv. Analyze the end behaviour of the function
v. Sketch the graph of the function
vi. State the domain and range

1 1 2
a. 𝑦 = b. 𝑦 = −4 c. 𝑦 = +3
𝑥+3 𝑥 𝑥−1
3 𝑥 1
d. 𝑦 = 4 − e. 𝑦 = f. 𝑦 =
𝑥+2 𝑥−2 𝑥2
6 1 1
g. 𝑦 = −2 h. 𝑦 = i. 𝑦 =
(𝑥 + 4)2 𝑥2 −9 4 − 𝑥2
1 1 𝑥
j. 𝑦= k. 𝑦 = l. 𝑦 =
𝑥2 − 4𝑥 + 3 𝑥2 +2 𝑥2 − 3𝑥 − 4
𝑥−2 2𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 3 𝑥−2
m. 𝑦 = n. 𝑦 = o. 𝑦 =
𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 𝑥2 − 4 𝑥2 + 5𝑥 + 6
𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 6 𝑥2 − 9 7𝑥
p. 𝑦 = q. 𝑦 = r. 𝑦 =
𝑥+2 𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 4 𝑥2 +1
2𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 5 3
s. 𝑦= t. 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 1 −
2𝑥 𝑥+5

1
MHF 4U – Rational Functions Date: ___________________

Solving Rational Equations

Solving rational equations is very similar to solving polynomial equations, but we need to always
remember to STATE THE RESTRICTIONS!

Example 1 Solve for 𝑥

𝑥 2 𝑥+3 18
a. = + b. 𝑥 + =4
5 𝑥 5 𝑥+7

5 12 𝑥 1 2
c. − 2 =1 d. + = 2
𝑥−1 𝑥 −1 𝑥 − 2 𝑥 − 4 𝑥 − 6𝑥 + 8

1
MHF 4U – Rational Functions Date: ___________________
6 7−𝑥
e. 𝑥 = +
𝑥−𝑥 2 𝑥−1

2
MHF 4U – Rational Functions Date: ___________________

Solving Rational Equations – Practice

Solve each equation. Remember to state restrictions.

𝑘+4 𝑘−1 𝑘+4 1 1 1

1. + = 2. 2
= −
4 4 4𝑘 2𝑚 𝑚 2

𝑛2 − 𝑛 − 6 2𝑛 + 12 𝑛 − 6 3𝑥 2 + 24𝑥 + 48 𝑥 − 6 1
3. − = 4. + = 2
𝑛2 𝑛 2𝑛 𝑥 2 2𝑥 2 𝑥

𝑘 2 + 2𝑘 − 8 1 1 𝑘 1 1
5. = 2+ 2 6. − =
3𝑘 3 3𝑘 𝑘 3 3𝑘 𝑘

𝑥 − 4 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 10 𝑥 − 1 1 𝑥−1 1
7. + = 8. 2
= +
6𝑥 6𝑥 6 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥

1 𝑟+4 6 2𝑥 + 2 4𝑥 2 − 16 5𝑥 − 5
9. = + 10. − 2 = 2
𝑟+3 𝑟−2 𝑟−2 3𝑥 − 12 3𝑥 − 24𝑥 + 48 3𝑥 − 24𝑥 + 48

5 1 1 1 𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 + 10 1
11. − 2
= + 12. = −
𝑛 −1 𝑛−1 𝑛+1 2 4𝑥 2𝑥
1 1 1 𝑝−6
13. =5+ 2 14. +1=
𝑘 𝑘 +𝑘 𝑝2 − 4𝑝 𝑝

5 6 𝑛2 + 5𝑛 − 6 𝑥 + 2 (𝑥 − 1) 4𝑥 + 2
15. − 3 = 16. = − 2
𝑛 𝑛 − 2𝑛2 𝑛3 − 2𝑛2 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 − 3𝑥

Solutions:
2 11 8
𝑘 = 1, −2 𝑚=1 𝑛 = − , −6 𝑥=− ,−
1. 2. 3. 3 4. 2 3
𝑘≠0 𝑚≠0
𝑛≠0 𝑥≠0

𝑘 = 4, −2 𝑘 = 2, −2 𝑥 = −14 𝑥 = 1, −1
5. 6. 7. 8.
𝑘≠0 𝑘≠0 𝑥≠0 𝑥≠0

13 5
𝑟 = −8, −4 𝑥 = 1, − 𝑛 = − 𝑥 = 1, 8
9. 10. 2 11. 2 12.
𝑟 ≠ −3, 2 𝑥≠0
𝑥≠4 𝑛 ≠ ±1

4 23 15
𝑥=1
13. 𝑘 = − 5 14. 𝑝 = 6 15. 𝑛 = 4 16.
𝑥 ≠ 0, 3
𝑘 ≠ −1, 0 𝑝 ≠ 0, 4 𝑛 ≠ 0, 2

1
MHF 4U – Rational Functions Date: ___________________

Solving Rational Inequalities

Solving rational equations is very similar to solving polynomial inequalities, but because rational
expressions have denominators (and therefore may have places where they are not defined), you have to
be a little more careful to finding your solutions.

To solve a rational inequality, you:

1. Write the inequality so that there is a single rational expression on the left side of the inequality and
zero on the right side of the inequality.
2. Find the zeros (from the numerator) and the undefined points (from the denominator)
3. Use the zeros and the undefined points to divide the number line into intervals.
4. Make your interval chart and find the sign of the rational expression on each interval.

Note: We do not cross multiply when solving rational inequalities.

Example 1 Solve. State your answers in interval notation.

3𝑥 𝑥−2
a. <0 b. ≤0
𝑥−2 (𝑥 + 1)2

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MHF 4U – Rational Functions Date: ___________________
𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 2 𝑥−5
c. ≥0 d. ≥4
𝑥 2 − 16 𝑥+4

1 3 1
e. >𝑥 f. >
𝑥 𝑥 − 1 2𝑥 − 1

2
MHF 4U – Rational Functions Date: ___________________

Solving Rational Inequalities – Practice

Solve. State your answers in interval notation.
𝑥+1 𝑥−2
1. ≤0 2. ≥2
𝑥−1 𝑥+1

𝑥2 − 1 𝑥2 − 4
3. <0 4. ≤0
𝑥2 − 𝑥 − 6 𝑥+2

3𝑥 − 2 𝑥+2
5. ≤5 6. <3
𝑥+1 𝑥−1

5 + 7𝑥 3𝑥
7. >4 8. >6
1 + 2𝑥 𝑥−2

3𝑥 (−2𝑥 − 10)(3 − 𝑥)
9. ≤ −1 10. <0
𝑥2 − 4 (𝑥 2 + 5)(𝑥 − 2)2

𝑥2 − 4 𝑥
11. ≤
2
𝑥 −1 𝑥+3

Solutions:
1. [−1,1) 2. [−4, −1) 3. (−2, −1) ∪ (1,3)

7 5
4. (−∞, −2) ∪ (−2,2] 5. (−∞, − ] ∪ (−1, ∞) 6. (−∞, 1) ∪ ( , ∞)
2 2

1
7. (− , 1) 8. (2, 4) 9. [−4, −2) ∪ [1, 2)
2

1 − √17 1 + √17
10. (−5, 2) ∪ (2, 3) 11. (−∞, −3) ∪ [ , −1) ∪ (1, ]
2 2

1
MHF 4U – Rational Functions Date: ___________________

Solving Rational Inequalities – Practice Day 2

Solve. State your answers in interval notation.
𝑥 2 − 16 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 3
1. <0 2. >0
(𝑥 − 1)2 𝑥−1

𝑥2 − 9 𝑥+6
3. <0 4. 𝑥≥
𝑥2 − 1 𝑥+2

(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 3) 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 6
5. ≥0 6. ≤0
𝑥+2 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 5
𝑥−8 2 3
7. ≤3−𝑥 8. <
𝑥 𝑥−3 𝑥+4

𝑥−3 𝑥+2 3𝑥 + 1
9. ≥ 10. ≥2
𝑥+4 𝑥−5 𝑥−2
1 6
11. +1< 2
𝑥−3 𝑥 −9

Solutions:
1. (−4,1) ∪ (1,4) 2. (−3, −1) ∪ (1, ∞) 3. (−3, −1) ∪ (1,3)

4. [−3, −2) ∪ [2, ∞) 5. [−3, −2) ∪ [2, ∞) 6. [−3, −2] ∪ (−1,5)

1
7. (−∞, −2] ∪ (0,4] 8. (−4,3) ∪ (17, ∞) 9. (−∞, −4) ∪ [ , 5)
2

10. (−∞, −5] ∪ (2, ∞) 11. (−4, −3)

1
MHF 4U – Rational Functions Date: ___________________

Making Connections with Rational Functions and Equations

1. The intensity of illumination, in lux, is inversely proportional to the square of the distance to the light
source, in meters. When the distance from a certain light source is 50 𝑚, the intensity is 6 lux.
a. Determine a function to represent this relationship.
b. Graph the function.
c. Describe what happens to the light intensity as the distance becomes greater and as the distance
is closest to 0.

1
MHF 4U – Rational Functions Date: ___________________
2. In order to create a saline solution, salt water with a concentration of 40 g/L is added at a rate of
500 L/min to a tank of water that initially contained 8000 L of pure water. The resulting
40𝑡
concentration of the solution in the tank can be modelled by the function 𝐶(𝑡) = 160+𝑡, where 𝐶 is the
concentration, in grams per litres, and 𝑡 is the time, in minutes.
a. In how many minutes will the saline concentration be 20 g/L?
b. Is there an upper limit to the concentration in the tank? Explain
c. What restrictions must be placed on the domain of 𝐶 if the tank has a maximum capacity of
120000 L?

2
MHF 4U – Rational Functions Date: ___________________
3. Two boats that have the same speed in still water travel in opposite directions on a river with a
current of 8 km/h. After a certain period of time, one boat is 24 km upstream and the other is 56 km
downstream. What is the speed of the boat in still water?

3
MHF 4U – Rational Functions Date: ___________________

Unit 2 Test Review

1. Answer the following short answer questions.
a. When does a rational function have a horizontal asymptote of 𝑦 = 1?
b. When does a rational function have a horizontal asymptote of 𝑦 = 0?
c. When does a rational function NOT have a horizontal asymptote?
d. When does a rational function NOT have a vertical asymptote?
e. When does a rational function NOT have an 𝑥-intercept?
f. When does a rational function have a hole in the graph?
g. How do you determine the end behaviour of the rational function?
h. How do you determine the behaviour of the rational function NEAR the vertical asymptote?
i. How do you determine the 𝑥-intercept(s) of the rational function?
j. How do you determine the 𝑦-intercept of a rational function?
k. How do you determine the domain of ALL rational functions?
l. How do you determine the interval(s) where the rational function is positive?
m. How do you determine the interval(s) where the rational function is decreasing?
n. How do you determine the interval(s) where the rational function has a negative slope?

2. For each function below, determine the following information and sketch the function.
i. 𝑥-intercept
ii. 𝑦-intercept
iii. Vertical Asymptote(s)
iv. Behaviour near vertical Asymptote(s)
v. End Behaviour
vi. Horizontal Asymptote(s)
vii. Domain
viii. Range
ix. Interval of increase/interval of decrease
x. Interval where the slope is + / Interval where the slope is –
xi. Interval where 𝑓(𝑥) is + / Interval where 𝑓(𝑥) is –
𝑥+4 𝑥−1 𝑥−4 𝑥+3
a. 𝑓(𝑥) = b. 𝑓(𝑥) = − c. 𝑓(𝑥) = d. 𝑓(𝑥) = −
2𝑥 − 6 𝑥+4 2𝑥 − 1 𝑥−2
1 𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 6 𝑥 2 − 100
e. 𝑓(𝑥) = +3 f. 𝑓(𝑥) = g. 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥−2 −4𝑥 2 − 16𝑥 − 12 2𝑥 2 + 21𝑥 + 10
3 2
𝑥 − 𝑥 − 6𝑥 𝑥 − 4 2𝑥 + 8
h. 𝑓(𝑥) = i. 𝑓(𝑥) = j. 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥2 − 𝑥 + 6 −4𝑥 − 16 (𝑥 − 9)(𝑥 + 4)
3𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 8 3𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 𝑥2 − 9
k. 𝑓(𝑥) = l. 𝑓(𝑥) = m. 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥−1 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 3 3𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 − 18𝑥
2
2𝑥 − 7𝑥 + 3 9 (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 2)
n. 𝑓(𝑥) = o. 𝑓(𝑥) = − 2 p. 𝑓(𝑥) =
2𝑥 − 1 𝑥 − 9 (𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 1)
3
3. Describe what happens to the graph of the function 𝑦 = for the following.
𝑥−4
a. 𝑥 → ∞ b. 𝑥 → −∞ c. 𝑥 → 4+ d. 𝑥 → 4−

𝑎𝑥+𝑏
4. Determine an equation for a function of the form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑐𝑥+𝑑 which has the following features:
- 𝑥-intercept of −2
4
- 𝑦-intercept of 3
- Vertical Asymptote of 𝑥 = −3
- Horizontal asymptote of 𝑦 = 2

1
MHF 4U – Rational Functions Date: ___________________
5. Write the equation of a rational function with vertical asymptotes of 𝑥 = 1 and 𝑥 = −1, horizontal
3
asymptote of 𝑦 = 2 and 𝑥-intercepts of 3 and −3.

6. Write an equation for the function that is the reciprocal of a quadratic and has the following
properties. Explain your reasoning.
- The horizontal asymptote is 𝑦 = 0
- The vertical asymptotes are 𝑥 = −4 and 𝑥 − 5
- For the intervals 𝑥 < −4 and 𝑥 > 5, 𝑦 > 0

7. Explain how the graph 𝑓(𝑥) is the same and different from the graph of 𝑔(𝑥)
𝑥−3 1
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑥) =
(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 2) 𝑥+2

8. Explain how you can use the expression in the numerator and the denominator of a rational function
to decide if the graph has an oblique asymptote and what that asymptote would be.

9. Solve the following equations. State the restrictions.

𝑥−2 5 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 2(3𝑥 − 10)
a. = b. = 7𝑥 − 4 c. 50 =
𝑥−1 𝑥+3 𝑥 3(𝑥 − 1)
1 1 3 𝑥 1 1 1 1 2
d. = + e. =1− f. = + −
𝑥+2 𝑥+2 𝑥+4 𝑥−1 1−𝑥 𝑥 𝑎 𝑏 𝑐
2𝑥 2𝑥 2 3 1 2 1
g. − =1 h. = i. = +
2𝑥 + 3 2𝑥 − 3 2𝑥 + 1 𝑥 + 6 𝑥 𝑥 1−𝑥

10. Solve the following inequalities. Give solutions in interval notation.

𝑥−1 2 𝑥+4 5 𝑥−6 3
a. <− 2 b. > c. ≤𝑥−
𝑥+3 𝑥 + 6𝑥 + 9 𝑥−1 𝑥+1 𝑥+1 𝑥
𝑥−2 𝑥−4 2𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 3 2𝑥 − 1
d. < e. ≥0 f. ≥0
𝑥 𝑥−6 𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 + 16 5𝑥 + 3
1 7
g. ≤ h. i.
5(𝑥 − 1) 6

11. Solve for 𝐴 and 𝐵 in the following equation.

14𝑥 − 3 𝐴 𝐵
2
= +
2𝑥 + 3𝑥 − 9 2𝑥 − 3 𝑥 + 3

12. Rewrite each of the following as the sum or difference of two rational expressions.
2𝑥 − 1 5𝑥
a. b.
2
𝑥 + 3𝑥 + 2 2
𝑥 −𝑥−6

13. Felix says that the sketch of the graph 𝑓(𝑥) has vertical asymptotes at 𝑥 = 2 and 𝑥 = −1; however
Bilal disagrees. Who is correct? Explain your choice.
(𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 2)
𝑓(𝑥) =
(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 1)

2
MHF 4U – Rational Functions Date: ___________________
14. A piece of machinery depreciates in value, 𝑉, in dollars, over time, 𝑡, in months. The value is given by
3000𝑡 2
𝑉(𝑡) = 7000 −
(𝑡 + 2)2
a. What happens to 𝑉(𝑡) as 𝑡 → ∞? You may use a graph to illustrate.
b. Would you expect to find a global/extreme maximum or minimum in the interval [0, ∞)?
Explain.
c. Will the machinery ever have a value of $0?
d. In light of your answer in part c, does 𝑉(𝑡) model the values of the machinery for all time?
Explain.

15. A company finds that its sales since the company started in 2000 can be modelled by the function
𝑆(𝑡) where 𝑆 is the total sales, in millions of dollars, and 𝑡 is the number of years since 2000.
20𝑡 2 + 800𝑡 + 300
𝑆(𝑡) =
8𝑡 2 + 10𝑡 + 100
a. What were the sales in 2000?
b. After many years, what does the model predict sales will be?
c. Calculate the years when the sales are $9 million, algebraically.
d. If you were working in the human resources department for the company, would you recommend
that the company hire more people based on this model? Explain your reasoning.

16. The weight (gravitational force) on a 100 kg object as a function of its height above mean sea level
on Earth can be modelled by 𝑊(ℎ), wehre 𝑊 is the weight, in Newtons (1 kg weighs approx. 10 N)
and ℎ is the height above mean sea level in metres.
4 × 1016
𝑊(ℎ) =
(6.4 × 106 + ℎ)2
a. How much does the object weigh at sea level?
b. If you were to take the object to the top of Mount Everest (height 9000 m), what would its weight
be?
c. How high would the object have to be to weigh 800 N? Round your answer to the nearest
kilometer.

17. The model for the concentration 𝑦 of a drug in the bloodstream, 𝑥 hours after it is taken orally, is
7𝑥
𝑦= 2
𝑥 +2
a. What is the domain of 𝑦 in this context?
b. What do you know about the graph of 𝑦 just looking at the equation?
c. Graph the function.
d. Describe what happens to the concentration of the drug over 24 consecutive hours.
e. Does this model seem reasonable

18. A rectangle has the area of 25 𝑚2. When will the perimeter be greater than 25 cm?

19. A rectangular garden, 21 𝑚2 in area, will be fenced to keep out rabbits and skunks. Find the length
of the side adjacent to the barn, if we want a maximum of 13 𝑚 of fencing if a barn already
protects one side of the garden?

20. Susan plans to run a 12.2 km course in 2 hours. For the first 8.4 km, she plans to run at a slower
pace, then she plans to speed up by 2 km/h for the rest of her course. What is the slower pace that
Susan will need to maintain in order to achieve her goal?