General Mathematics – Learning Activity Sheet

(COPY the whole LAS including the activity/exercises given in a 1 WHOLE SHEET of PAPER)
Representing Rational Functions through (a) table of values, (b)graphs and (c) equations.

NOTES: Properties of Rational Functions:

1. Domain: find the value of x that makes the denominator not equal to zero. Write the domain in rule
form or interval notation.
𝒙 𝟒
Example: 𝒇(𝒙) = answer: D: {𝒙|𝒙∈𝑹, 𝒙≠-𝟏}
𝒙 𝟏
2. Range: using the horizontal asymptote.
𝒙 𝟒
Example: 𝒇(𝒙) = answer: R: {𝒚|𝒚∈𝑹, 𝒚≠𝟏}
𝒙 𝟏
3. Horizontal Asymptote (y). Observe the exponents of the variable in the numerator and denominator.
𝒂
𝑦= m>n, y = none n>m, y = 0 n=m, y=
𝒄
𝒙 𝟒 𝒂 𝟏
Example: 𝒇(𝒙) = , answer: horizontal asymptote (y) = = =1
𝒙 𝟏 𝒄 𝟏
4. Vertical Asymptote (x) – let the denominator equal to zero
𝒙 𝟒
Example: 𝒇(𝒙) = , 𝒙 + 𝟏 = 𝟎 , 𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒓: 𝒙 = −𝟏
𝒙 𝟏
5. Intercepts: The intercepts are the x-or y- coordinates of the points at which the graph crosses the x-
axis or y-axis respectively.
To find the x-intercept, substitute 0 for y and solve for x.
To find the y-intercept, substitute 0 for x and solve for y.
6. Zeroes of the Rational Function: the values of the independent variable (x) that make the numerator
zero but are not restrictions of the rational function
𝒙 𝟒
Example: 𝒇(𝒙) = , 𝒙 − 𝟒 = 𝟎 , 𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒓: 𝒙 = 𝟒
𝒙 𝟏
Practice Exercise:
Give the properties of the rational function: Answer: Properties
𝑓(𝑥) = It’s Graph:

EXERCISE 1: Given the Rational Function, find its intercepts, asymptotes, zeroes, domain and range.
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2. 𝑓(𝑥) =

Topic: Creating a graph and constructing table of values for Rational Functions.
A table of values is a structured way to represent pairs of related numerical data, often used in mathematics to
explore relationships between variables and to graph equations. To create a table of values, substitute the given
values of the independent variable (x) to the given rational function.
Example:
𝑓(𝑥) = use -5 to 5 for the values of x,
Table of values:
x -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
y 1/6 1/10 0 -1/6 -1/2 -3/2 undef. 5/2 3/2 7/6 1
Substitute the values of x to the rational function 𝑓(𝑥) =
Point 1: at x = -5
( )
𝑓(−5) = ( )
= = or 0.17 (if using fraction or decimal as final answer be consistent)
Note: Repeat the process for the next points, substitute the values of x to the given function.
Once the table is complete, graph each point from left to right.
EXERCISE 2: Construct a table of values and
graph for the given rational function, also give its
properties (domain, range, intercepts, zeroes and
asymptotes)

𝒙𝟐 − 𝟒
𝒇(𝒙) =
𝒙−𝟐
Reflection:

1. What patterns did you observe in the

output values of the function as the
input values increased or decreased?
2. What strategies or methods helped you
understand how to evaluate and
analyze rational functions?
Prepared by:

IVAN LOIS L. ESTERNON, SST I