MSLC Workshop Series

Math 1148 – 1150 Workshop: Polynomial & Rational Functions

The goal of this workshop is to familiarize you with similarities and differences in both the graphing and
expression of polynomial & rational functions.

We will start by looking at some of the similarities between these two types of functions.

1. The y-intercept: Both polynomial and rational functions can have a y-intercept. As the name implies this
is where the graph of the function crosses the y-axis, and it is found by putting a zero in for x in the original
function and solving for the corresponding y-value.

2. The x-intercept(s): Both polynomial and rational functions can have x-intercepts as well. This refers to
points where the graph crosses the x-axis, and these are found by setting the function equal to zero and solving
for the corresponding x-value(s).
Features most relevant to polynomials.
3. Degree: This is an explicit feature of polynomials, but it is also used for analyzing rational functions.
The degree of a polynomial is the largest exponent present on variable in a single term. If multiple
variables are present, the degree is determined by the largest sum of exponents on a single term.
 For polynomials the degree determines the end behavior of the graph. If the degree is an even
number the graph will begin and end in the same location, either both up or both down
(depending on the leading coefficient). If the degree is an odd number, the graph will begin
and end in different locations, either starting down and ending up or starting up and ending
down (depending on the leading coefficient).

For rational functions, we compare the degree of the polynomials in the numerator and
denominator to determine if there will be a horizontal or slant asymptote, and this comparison
also helps to determine where that asymptote is located.

4. Factored Form: Again, this typically is only specifically asked for when dealing with polynomials, but can
also be used in analyzing rational functions.
a. The factored form of a polynomial has two possible variations.
i. The first uses real coefficients only and is found by breaking down the
polynomial into a combination of linear or irreducible quadratic factors.
ii. The second uses both real and complex coefficients, which means that the
polynomial can be broken down into linear factors only.

b. For rational functions, the numerator and denominator are typically only broken down into linear
and irreducible quadratic factors (i.e. using real coefficients). This can allow us to more easily
determine the zeros and vertical asymptotes of a rational function.

(The factored form of a rational function also allows us to determine the completely simplified form,
which is used for identifying removable discontinuities in the graph. But that is not something that is
featured in this course.)
5. Multiplicity: This is a property of the real zeros of the polynomial, and the polynomial must be in factored
form to determine multiplicity. It refers to the exponent on an individual factor of a polynomial, and it is used
to determine the behavior of the graph at each zero.

An odd multiplicity means the graph will cross the x-axis, and an even multiplicity will only touch the x-axis.
This feature isn’t used for analyzing rational functions.

A few polynomial function problems: Find the intercepts, degree, multiplicity of each zero, and leading
coefficient of each of the following polynomials. Then use that information to sketch a graph of each
polynomial.
p  x   x  x  7  x  6 
2

y-intercept of p  x  : zeros of p  x  [and their multiplicities]:

_____________________ ____________________________________________________

degree of p  x  :

_______________

leading coefficient of p  x  :

_____________
P  x   5x5  50 x 4  120 x3
y-intercept of P  x  : zeros of P  x  [and their multiplicities]:

_____________________ ____________________________________________________

degree of P  x  :

_______________

leading coefficient of P  x  :

_____________

Q  x    x  2   x  1  3x  8
2 3

y-intercept of Q  x  : zeros of Q  x  [and their multiplicities]:

_____________________ ____________________________________________________

degree of Q  x  :

_______________

leading coefficient of Q  x  :

_____________
Challenging Polynomial Problem: Factor the polynomial h  x   x  9 x  8x  72 into linear and
5 3 2

irreducible quadratic factors with real coefficients. Then factor h  x  into linear factors with complex
coefficients.

Linear & Irreducible quadratic factors of h  x  with real coefficients:

Linear factors of h  x  with complex coefficients:

Features most relevant to rational functions.

6. Vertical Asymptotes: These occur in rational functions, but not in polynomials. They are found by setting
the denominator of the rational function equal to zero and solving for x. These are lines and should be
expressed as equations. NOTE: Rational functions WILL NEVER cross a vertical asymptote.

Example:

6  x  6  x  5
The function f  x   has
 x  8 x  4 
vertical asymptotes at the lines x  8 and x  4.
7. Horizontal or Slant Asymptotes: Horizontal and slant asymptotes can occur in rational functions, but not
in polynomials. Determining if a rational functions has a horizontal or slant asymptotes is done by comparing
the degree of the numerator and denominator.

Horizontal Asymptote:
If the degree of the numerator is less than or equal to the degree of the denominator, there will be a horizontal
asymptote.

Example:

6  x  6  x  5
The function f  x   has a
 x  8 x  4 
horizontal asymptote at the line y  6.

Slant Asymptote:
If the degree of the numerator is one degree larger than the degree of the denominator, there will be a slant
asymptote.

Example:

x3  64
The function f  x   has
x 2  64

a slant asymptote at the line y  x.

If the degree of the numerator is more than one degree larger than the denominator, the graph will follow
another type of function (such as a parabola) asymptotically. This situation is not discussed in this course.

NOTE: It is possible for the graph of a rational function to cross horizontal and slant asymptotes. It is only
the end behavior of the graph of a rational function that is determined by the horizontal or slant asymptote.
A few rational function problems: Find the intercepts and asymptotes (vertical, horizontal, or slant) of each of
the following rational functions. Then use that information to sketch a graph of each rational function.

r  x 
 x  3 x  3
 x  4  x  1
2

y-intercept of r  x  : _____________________

x-intercept(s) of r  x  : _____________________

vertical asymptote(s)
of r  x  : _____________________

horizontal or slant
asymptote of r  x  : _____________________

 2 x  1 x  4 
2

R  x 
 x  2  3x  5
2

y-intercept of R  x  : _____________________

x-intercept(s) of R  x  : _____________________

vertical asymptote(s)
of R  x  : _____________________

horizontal or slant
asymptote of R  x  : _____________________
 4 x 2  16 x
q  x 
2x  8
y-intercept of q  x  : _____________________

x-intercept(s) of q  x  : _____________________

vertical asymptote(s)
of q  x  : _____________________

horizontal or slant
asymptote of q  x  : _____________________

Challenging Case: Find the intercepts, asymptotes (vertical, horizontal, or slant), and location of any holes in
5 x 2  80
the graph of H ( x)  2 . Then use that information to sketch a graph of H  x  .
4 x  40 x  96

y-intercept of H  x  : _____________________

x-intercept(s) of H  x  : _____________________

Holes in the graph

of H  x  : _____________________

vertical asymptote(s)
of H  x  : _____________________

horizontal or slant
asymptote of H  x  : _____________________
 Polynomial and Rational Functions: Important Feature Summary

Polynomial Functions Relevant Components Rational Functions

Found by setting x  0 and solving y-intercept Found by setting x  0 and solving for y
for y
Found by setting y  0 and solving x-intercept(s) Found by setting y  0 and solving for x. Focus
for x on the simplified form of the numerator, as it
determines zeros.
The largest exponent present on a Degree Comparing the degree of the numerator to that of
variable in a single term (or the the denominator determines if there is a horizontal
largest sum of exponents on a single or slant asymptote, and the location of that
term if multiple variables are present). asymptote.
Breaking polynomial down into Factored Form Breaking both numerator and denominator
component factors. Either linear and polynomials down into component factors
irreducible quadratic factors with real typically linear and irreducible quadratic factors
coefficients or linear factors with with real coefficients. This can be used to
complex coefficients. Can be used to determine the zeros, the completely simplified
determine zeros and multiplicity of form, and vertical asymptotes of the rational
those zeros. function.
Refers to the exponent on an Multiplicity
individual factor. It’s used to
determine the graph’s behavior at
each zero. An odd multiplicity means This isn’t typically used for analyzing rational
that the graph will cross the x-axis at functions.
that zero, and an even multiplicity
indicates the graph should touch the x-
axis at that zero
Vertical Asymptote(s) Found by setting the denominator of the
These don’t occur in polynomial completely simplified rational function equal to
functions zero. Remember that asymptotes are lines and
should be expressed as equations.
This is determined by the degree of End Behavior In rational functions this refers to what happens to
the polynomial. If the degree is even, the graph for very large (positive and negative)
the graph will begin and end in the values of x. This refers to the effects of horizontal
same direction (either both up or both or slant asymptotes.
down). If the degree is odd, the graph
will begin in one direction and end in
the other (i.e. start up and end down,
or vice versa).
Horizontal/Slant Determined in part by comparing the degrees of
Asymptotes the numerator and denominator. If the degree of
the numerator is less than or equal to the degree of
the denominator, there is a horizontal asymptote.
These don’t occur in polynomial If the degree of the numerator is one larger than
functions the degree of the denominator, there will be a
slant asymptote. Anything else will not result in
either type of asymptote.