Rational

Functions
The LEARNER:
 Represents real-life situations using rational functions;
 Distinguishes rational function, rational equation, and rational
inequality;
 Solves rational equations and inequalities;
 Represents a rational function through its:
 Table of Values
 Graph
 Equation
 Finds the domain and range of a rational function.

OBJECTIVES
Mobile number
+ Your Age
1. Write your 2 or 3 digits of your mobile number.
2. Multiply it by 2.
3. Add 5.
4. Multiply it by 50.
5. If you have celebrated your birthday, add 1772.
If you haven’t birthday yet, add 1771.
6. Subtract your birth year.
 RATIONAL FUNCTION
• 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. For example, f(x) = (x2 +
x - 2) / (2x2 - 2x - 3) is a rational function and here, 2x2 -
2x - 3 ≠ 0.
Strategy for Graphing a Rational
3.3: Rational Function
Functions and Their Graphs
p( x)
Suppose that f ( x) 
q( x)
where p(x) and q(x) are polynomial functions with no common factors.
1. Determine whether the graph of f has symmetry.
f (-x) = f (x): y-axis symmetry
f (-x) = -f (x): origin symmetry
2. Find the y-intercept (if there is one) by evaluating f (0).
3. Find the x-intercepts (if there are any) by solving the equation p(x) = 0.
4. Find any vertical asymptote(s) by solving the equation q (x) = 0.
5. Find the horizontal asymptote (if there is one) using the rule for determining the
horizontal asymptote of a rational function.
6. Plot at least one point between and beyond each x-intercept and vertical asymptote.
7. Use the information obtained previously to graph the function between and beyond the
vertical asymptotes.
 3.3: Rational Functions and Their Graphs

EXAMPLE: Graphing a Rational Function

3x 2
Graph: f ( x)  2 .
x  4

Solution
3x2  3x 2
Step 1 Determine symmetry: f (-x) = =
  x 2  4
= f (x):
x2  4
Symmetric with respect to the y-axis.
3  02 0
Step 2 Find the y-intercept: f (0) = = 
0: y-intercept is 0.
02  4 4
Step 3 Find the x-intercept: 3x2 = 0, so x = 0: x-intercept is 0.
Step 4 Find the vertical asymptotes: Set q(x) = 0.
x2 - 4 = 0 Set the denominator equal to zero.
x2 = 4
x = 2
Vertical asymptotes: x = -2 and x = 2.
more
 3.4: Rational Functions and Their Graphs

EXAMPLE: Graphing a Rational Function

3x 2
Graph: f ( x)  2 .
x  4

Solution
Step 5 Find the horizontal asymptote: y = 3/1 = 3.
Step 6 Plot points between and beyond the x-
intercept and the vertical asymptotes. With an x- 7
6
intercept at 0 and vertical asymptotes at x = 2 and x = - 5

2, we evaluate the function at -3, -1, 1, 3, and 4. 4

3
Horizontal 2 x-intercept and
x -3 -1 1 3 4 asymptote: y = 1 y-intercept
3x 2
27 27 3 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1
-1
1 2 3 4 5

f(x) = 2 -1 -1 5
4 Vertical Vertical
x  4 5 asymptote: x = -
-2
-3 asymptote: x =
The figure shows these points, the y-intercept, the x-2 2
intercept, and the asymptotes.
more
 3.4: Rational Functions and Their Graphs

EXAMPLE: Graphing a Rational Function

3x 2
Graph: f ( x)  2 .
x  4

Solution
Step 7 Graph the function. The graph of f (x) is shown in the figure. The y-axis symmetry
is now obvious.
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
Horizontal 2 x-intercept and y=3 2

asymptote: y = 1 y-intercept 1

3 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1
-1
1 2 3 4 5 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1
-1
1 2 3 4 5

Vertical -2 Vertical x = -2 -2 x=2

asymptote: x = - -3 asymptote: x = -3

2 2
 How to find the Asymptotes
• 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.
 Finding Asymptotes
VERTICAL ASYMPTOTES
There will be a vertical asymptote at any “illegal” x value, so
anywhere that would make the denominator = 0

2 So there are vertical asymptotes

x  2x  5
R x   2 at x = 4 and x = -1.
x x 43xx14 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 the
degree of the denominator, the
(remember
x axis isdegree
a
2 x1 5
R x   2 is the highest
horizontal asymptote.
power onThis
any is
x term)
along the
the xline
axis
y
x  3x  4 is0.
= a horizontal asymptote.

degree of bottom = 2
 HORIZONTAL ASYMPTOTES
The leading coefficient is the
number in front of the highest If the degree of the numerator is equal to the
powered x term. degree of the denominator, then there is a
horizontal asymptote at:
degree of top = 2 y = leading coefficient of top
leading coefficient of bottom
2
2x  4x  5
R x   2
1 x  3x  4

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 there is
not a horizontal asymptote, but an oblique one.
degree of top = 3 The equation is found by doing long division
and the quotient is the equation of the oblique
asymptote ignoring the remainder.
x 3  2 x 2  3x  5
R x  
x 2  3x  4

degree of bottom = 2
x  5  a remainder
x 2  3x  4 x 3  2 x 2  3x  5 Oblique asymptote at y = x +
5
 RATIONAL EQUATION
• An equation containing at least one fraction whose
numerator and denominator are polynomials, 
\frac{P(x)}{Q(x)}.Q(x)P(x)​. 

• These fractions may be on one or both sides of the

equation.
 Steps to solve Rational Equations
1. Find the LCD
2. Multiply every term on both sides of the equation by the LCD over 1
3. Cross Cancel
4. Solve for the variable
a. Linear equation: get variables on one side and constants on the other
b. Quadratic: set your equation = 0 and factor.
 Solving Rational Equations
x 4  x   1  1  x 4  x 
x 4 x LCM is x  4  x 

• Multiply both sides of the equation by the LCM of

the denominators.
Least Common Multiple: Each factor raised
to the greatest exponent.
4 x  x
2 x
4  2x
 RATIONAL INEQUALITY
• A rational inequality is an inequality that contains a
rational expression.
– ˂: Less Than
– ˃: Greater Than
– ≤: Less Than or Equal To
– ≥: Greater Than or Equal To
 Rational Inequalities

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Sec 10.7 - 26
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