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Day 1 Notes - Graphing Rational Functions - Keyed

1) The document provides steps for graphing rational functions, including determining vertical and horizontal asymptotes, x-intercepts, and y-intercepts. 2) Vertical asymptotes are found by setting the denominator equal to 0. Horizontal asymptotes depend on the relative degrees of the numerator and denominator. 3) Examples are given to demonstrate the steps of factoring, finding holes and intercepts, and determining asymptotes in order to graph rational functions.

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360 views

Day 1 Notes - Graphing Rational Functions - Keyed

1) The document provides steps for graphing rational functions, including determining vertical and horizontal asymptotes, x-intercepts, and y-intercepts. 2) Vertical asymptotes are found by setting the denominator equal to 0. Horizontal asymptotes depend on the relative degrees of the numerator and denominator. 3) Examples are given to demonstrate the steps of factoring, finding holes and intercepts, and determining asymptotes in order to graph rational functions.

Uploaded by

devika
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Day 1
Notes 7.9 Notes – Graphing rational functions
Objectives:
1) Determine vertical and horizontal asymptotes and x and y intercepts to graph rational functions.

rational functions:
A rational function is a function of the form ,

where and are polynomials.

A rational function can have both vertical


AND horizontal asymptotes.
A rational function has branches – one more branch
than the number of vertical asymptotes. Graph above: one vertical asymp. and 2 branches

Finding Vertical asymptotes:


To find the vertical asymptotes, set the denominator equal to 0 and solve for x. There may be more than one!
x 3
1) y
x2  9

x2  4
2) y 
x2  4 x  5

x2
3) y 
x2

1
4) y  2
x 2

How many branches would each graph have?


Finding Horizontal Asymptotes:
To find the horizontal asymptote, compare the degree of the numerator(n) to the degree of the
denominator(d).
There are three different cases: (The maximum number of horizontal asymptotes is one.)

1) If No horizontal asymptote! Ex.

If the degree of the numerator is GREATER than the degree of the denominator,
there is no horizontal asymptote.

2) IfGot nothin’ for this one. Ain’t nobody got time for that. Ex.

If the degree of the numerator is EQUAL to the degree of the denominator,


the asymptote is found by dividing the coefficients of the terms with the highest degrees.

3) If y=0 Ex.

If the degree of the numerator is LESS THAN the degree of the denominator,
the horizontal asymptote is at y = 0.

1) “If you big on top, just stop!” (cuz they ain’t no horizontal asymptote)

2) Got nothin’ for this one. Ain’t nobody got time for that.

3) “If the bottom is heavy, the line is steady (at y = 0)”.

x 2  3x  2
An example of a rational function: f  x  
x 2  6x  8 1) Factor the numerator and denom.

x 2  3x  2  x  2 x  1 2) Find any holes.


1) f  x   Hole - occurs when factors cancel
x 2  6 x  8  x  2 x  4 
3) Find the x-intercept(s). Let y = 0.

2) f  x 
 x  2 x  1 Hole: x = 2. Find f(2): f  2 
 2  1  1 4) Find the y-intercept. Let x = 0.
 x  2 x  4   2  4  2 5) Find all vertical asymptotes.
 1  Set denominator = 0.
Hole:  2, 
 2  6) Find the horizontal asymptote.

3) x – int: 0
 x  1 4) y – int: y
 0  1 7) Sketch the branches of the curve.
 x  4 0  4
1
0   x  1 y 7)
4
x1
5) VA: 0   x  4  (denominator = 0)
VA: x4
1x 2
6) HA: Degree is same! y  2  1 HA: y  1
1x
4
Steps for Graphing: Ex 1) f  x  
x5

1) Factor the numerator and denom.

2) Find any holes.


Hole - occurs when factors cancel

3) Find the x-intercept(s). Let y = 0.

4) Find the y-intercept. Let x = 0.


hole(s):
5) Find all vertical asymptotes.
Set denominator = 0. x – int:
6) Find the horizontal asymptote.
y – int:
7) Sketch the branches of the curve.
VA:

HA:

x 2  3x  2
Ex 2) f  x  
x2  x  2

hole(s):

x – int:

y – int:

VA:

HA:
5x  10
3. f  x  
x2  x  6

hole(s):

x – int:

y – int:

VA:

HA:

x 2  2x  3
4. f  x  
x3

hole(s):

x – int:

y – int:

VA:

HA:

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