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2.4 Rational Functions

The document defines rational functions and discusses performing operations on them such as addition and multiplication. It also examines the behavior of rational functions near positive and negative infinity and defines vertical and horizontal asymptotes. Examples are provided to illustrate finding the domain, intercepts, and asymptotes of various rational functions.

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33 views5 pages

2.4 Rational Functions

The document defines rational functions and discusses performing operations on them such as addition and multiplication. It also examines the behavior of rational functions near positive and negative infinity and defines vertical and horizontal asymptotes. Examples are provided to illustrate finding the domain, intercepts, and asymptotes of various rational functions.

Uploaded by

ljbhucbnhqfnpivhay
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Section 2.

4: Rational Functions

Def: A rational function is a function of the form: where _____ and________ are ________________
and _______________.

Ex:

We can do the same algebra on rational functions as we did on polynomial functions:

3𝑥 𝑥−2
Ex: 𝑟(𝑥) = 𝑥+1and𝑠(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 −3

What is (r+s)(x)?

What is (rs)(x)?

Behavior of a Rational Function near Positive and Negative Infinity:

4𝑥 3 −5𝑥 2 +2𝑥−1
Ex 1: If 𝑟(𝑥) = what is the behavior of r(x) near ∞ and -∞
6𝑥 5 +7𝑥 3 +9𝑥+4

2𝑥 5 +13𝑥 3 +5𝑥 2 +3
Ex 2: If 𝑟(𝑥) = 7𝑥 5 +6𝑥 4 −𝑥 3 +4𝑥
what is the behavior of r(x) near ∞ and -∞

12𝑥 7 +3𝑥 5 −4𝑥 4 +4𝑥 3 −12𝑥+7


Ex 3: If 𝑟(𝑥) = 6𝑥 3 +𝑥 2 −10𝑥−16
what is the behavior of r(x) near ∞ and -∞
https://www.desmos.com/calculator/cgw5xpfu3c
Def: A line is called an asymptote of a ____________________ if the ________________ becomes and stays very
______________ to the line in at least _________________ direction along the line.

For example:

𝑓(𝑥) 𝑎𝑛 𝑥 𝑛 +𝑎𝑛−1 𝑥 𝑛−1 +𝑎𝑛−2 𝑥 𝑛−2 +...+𝑎1 𝑥+𝑎0


Rules: for 𝑟(𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑏 𝑚 𝑚−1 +𝑏 𝑚−2 +...+𝑏 𝑥+𝑏 where _______________________________ are real numbers
𝑚 𝑥 +𝑏𝑚−1 𝑥 𝑚−2 𝑥 1 0

1) If deg(f) _____ deg(g) (meaning _______________) then the horizontal asymptote is:_________________
2) If deg(f) _____ deg(g) (meaning _______________) then the horizontal asymptote is:_________________
3) If deg(f) _____ deg(g) (meaning _______________) then the horizontal asymptote is:_________________

Vertical asymptotes:

Vertical asymptotes are lines with the equation ____________________ where ___ is a ____________ of the
______________________, when the rational function is in simplest form (common factors on the top and bottom are
cancelled).

(𝑥+4)(𝑥−5)(𝑥+1)
Ex: if 𝑟(𝑥) = (𝑥+2)(𝑥+1)(𝑥−1)(𝑥+3)what are the vertical and horizontal asymptotes?

3𝑥+1
Ex: if 𝑟(𝑥) = what are the vertical and horizontal asymptotes?
𝑥 4 −3𝑥 2 −4
Find the domain, the axis intercepts, and the vertical and horizontal asymptotes.

2x − 3 1
1. f ( x) = 2. f ( x) =
3x + 1 ( x − 2 )2

(a) domain: (a) domain:

(b) axis intercepts (b) axis intercepts

y-intercept: y-intercept:

x-intercepts: x-intercepts:

(c) asymptotes (c) asymptotes

vertical asymptotes: vertical asymptotes:

horizontal asymptotes: horizontal asymptotes:


x2 − 4 x 2 − 16
3. f ( x) = 4. f ( x) =
3x − 9 4 x 2 − 12 x

(d) domain: (d) domain:

(e) axis intercepts (e) axis intercepts

y-intercept: y-intercept:

x-intercepts: x-intercepts:

(f) asymptotes (f) asymptotes

vertical asymptotes: vertical asymptotes:

horizontal asymptotes: horizontal asymptotes:

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