Opening Prayer
Almighty Father, we praise and
thank you for the opportunity
to learn today from our
facilitator and from one
another. Help us to focus our
hearts and minds on what we
are about to learn in this
subject.
Inspire us by your Holy Spirit so that
we may understand the lessons, and
see its practical application in our
everyday activities.
Guide us by your eternal light as we
discover more truths about the
world around us. We ask this
through the intercession of St.
Thomas Aquinas, Amen.
RATIONAL
FUNCTIONS and
GRAPHS
Prepared by: Mr. Agao
RATIONAL EQUATIONS
RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
GRAPHING RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
INVERSE OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
RATIONAL
FUNCTIONS
RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
The ratio of one polynomial function
to another polynomial function is a
rational function.
DEFINITION OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
A rational function, 𝑟(𝑥), is a function of the form
𝑝 𝑥
𝑟 𝑥 =
𝑞(𝑥)
Where 𝑝(𝑥) and 𝑞(𝑥) are polynomial functions, and
𝑞(𝑥) ≠ 0.
EXAMPLES OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
The following are examples of rational
functions:
3(𝑥 − 5) 1 4𝑥
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑔 𝑥 = ℎ 𝑥 =
(𝑥 + 1) 𝑥 𝑥−2
IMPLIED DOMAIN
The implied domain of a rational function
is the set of all real numbers except for
the roots of the denominator.
The denominator cannot be equal to 0.
EXAMPLE
−7(𝑥−2)(𝑥 2 +1)
The implied domain of
8(𝑥−4)(𝑥−6)
is the set {𝑥|𝑥 ≠ 4, −6}
DOMAIN OF RATIONAL FUNCTION
𝑥+1
a. 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥 2 +8𝑥+12
𝑥
b. 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥 2 −9
DOMAIN OF RATIONAL FUNCTION
Domain: Domain:
DOMAIN OF RATIONAL FUNCTION
Domain: Domain:
DOMAIN OF RATIONAL FUNCTION
Find the domain of the following rational
function:
𝑥 2 +6 2𝑥−4 𝑥 2 +3𝑥+2
a. b. c.
𝑥 2 +3𝑥−4 4𝑥 2 −4 3𝑥 3 −6𝑥 2 +𝑥−2
DOMAIN OF RATIONAL FUNCTION
d. e.
f. g.
GRAPHING
RATIONAL
FUNCTIONS
GRAPHING RATIONAL
FUNCTIONS
RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
A rational function, 𝑟(𝑥), is a function of the form
𝑝 𝑥
𝑟 𝑥 =
𝑞(𝑥)
where 𝑝(𝑥) and 𝑞(𝑥) are polynomial functions, and 𝑞(𝑥) ≠ 0.
undefined value
ASYMPTOTES
An asymptote is an imaginary line that is being
approached but never touched by a graph of the
function
horizontal
asymptote
vertical
asymptote
VERTICAL ASYMPTOTE
To determine the vertical asymptote of a rational function
𝑟(𝑥), find the zeroes of the denominator that are bot zeroes
of the numerator.
Example:
3
𝑟 𝑥 =
𝑥−2
Therefore, the V.A.:
EXAMPLE
Find the vertical asymptote of the rational function.
3𝑥 2−𝑥
1. 𝑔 𝑥 = 2. ℎ 𝑥 =
2𝑥+4 𝑥 2 −3𝑥−4
V.A.: V.A.:
HORIZONTAL ASYMPTOTE
To determine the horizontal asymptote of a rational
function, compare the degree of the numerator 𝑛 and the
degree of the denominator 𝑑.
i. If 𝑛 < 𝑑, the horizontal asymptote is 𝑦 = 0
Example:
3
𝑟 𝑥 =
𝑥−2
Therefore, the H.A.: 2
EXAMPLE
Example:
3𝑥 2 𝑥+1
𝑟 𝑥 = 3 𝑓 𝑥 = 2
𝑥 −2 𝑥 + 2𝑥 − 3
H.A.: H.A.:
HORIZONTAL ASYMPTOTE
ii. If 𝑛 = 𝑑, the horizontal asymptote 𝑦 is the ratio of
the leading coefficient
Example:
3𝑥 − 1 4𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 1
𝑟 𝑥 = 𝑓 𝑥 = 2
5𝑥 − 2 2𝑥 + 2𝑥 − 3
H.A.: H.A.:
HORIZONTAL ASYMPTOTE
iii. If 𝑛 > 𝑑, there is no horizontal asymptote.
Example:
𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 4 𝑥+2
𝑟 𝑥 = 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥−2 2
H.A.: H.A.:
EXAMPLE
Find the vertical and horizontal asymptote of the rational
function.
4𝑥+1 𝑥+1
1. 𝑓 𝑥 = 2. 𝑔 𝑥 =
2𝑥+6 𝑥 2 −9
V.A.: V.A.:
H.A.: H.A.:
INTERCEPTS
The intercepts of the graph of a rational function are the
points of intersection of its graph and an axis.
(𝟎, 𝒚)
y-intercept
x-intercept
(𝒙, 𝟎)
Y-INTERCEPT
The 𝑦 − 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡 of the graph of a rational function 𝑟(𝑥), if it
exists, occurs at 𝑟(0), provided that 𝑟(𝑥) is defined at 𝑥 = 0.
Example:
𝑥+1 2
𝑟 𝑥 = 𝑟 𝑥 =
𝑥−2 𝑥
X-INTERCEPT
The 𝑥 − 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡 of the graph of a rational function 𝑟(𝑥), if it
exists, occurs at zeroes of the numerator that are not zeroes
of the denominator
Example:
𝑥+1 2
𝑟 𝑥 = 𝑟 𝑥 =
𝑥−2 𝑥
EXAMPLE
Find the x- and y- intercept or the rational function.
3𝑥 2−𝑥
1. 𝑔 𝑥 = 2. ℎ 𝑥 =
𝑥 2 +6 𝑥+3
EXAMPLE
Find the x- and y- intercept or the rational function.
𝑥 2 +5𝑥+4 𝑥 2 −4
3. 𝑚 𝑥 = 4. 𝑛 𝑥 =
𝑥+2 𝑥+3
GRAPHING RATIONAL FUNCTION
To graph rational function:
1. We need to find:
a. Asymptotes
b. Intercepts
2. The vertical asymptotes will divide the number line into
regions. In each region graph at least one point in each
region. This point will tell us whether the graph will be
above or below the horizontal asymptote and if we
need to, we should get several points to determine the
general shape of the graph.
3. Sketch the graph.
GRAPHING RATIONAL FUNCTION
Analyze each rational function algebraically. Determine its x- and y-
intercepts, and asymptotes. Sketch the graph.
1 Let 𝑥 = 4
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑓 4 =
1
𝑥−3 (4) − 3
1
=
1
=1
V.A.: 𝑥=3
H.A.: 𝑦=0
x-intercept: none −
1
3
1 3
y-intercept: (0, − ) Let 𝑥 = 2
3
1
𝑓 2 =
(2) − 3
1
=
−1
= −1
TRY THIS!
2𝑥
ℎ 𝑥 =
3𝑥 + 2
TRY THIS!
𝑥+4
𝑝 𝑥 = 2
𝑥 − 25
