10/10/23, 7:16 PM Learning Guide 2: Rational Functions

Learning Guide 2: Rational Functions

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10/10/23, 7:16 PM Learning Guide 2: Rational Functions

Description

Rational Function

A Rational Function is a number that can be written as a fraction and whose numerators and denominators are integers provided that the
denominator is not equal to 0. It can be an idea of algebraic expressions. A Rational Expression is a polynomial divided by another polynomial.
On the other hand, if we let P(x) and Q(x) be two polynomials, then a function of the form is called Rational Function. The

domain of f(x) is the set of real numbers x except those for which Q(x) = 0. In other words, since division by zero is not possible, a rational
function has a discontinuity whenever its denominator is zero.

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Table of contents

Learning Competencies

Introduction

Lesson 2.1: Rational Equations and Rational Inequalities

Lesson 2.2: Representing Rational Functions

Written Task 2

Performance Task 2

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Learning Competencies

In this learning guide, the students are expected to:

1. distinguish rational function, rational equation, and rational inequality.

2. solve rational equations and rational inequalities.

3. find the domain and range of a rational function.

4. represent a rational function through its: (a) table of values, (b) graph, (c) equation; and

5. apply rational functions in real-life situations.

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10/10/23, 7:16 PM Learning Guide 2: Rational Functions

Introduction

Rational functions are those functions that can be written as a quotient of two polynomials. A rational equation is an equation that contains one
or more rational expressions. A rational inequality is an inequality that contains one or more rational expressions. A rational function is a
function that can be put in the form

where ?(?) and ?(?) are polynomials, and ?(?) is not equal to zero
polynomial.

Note: If b(x) is a constant, then f(x) is a polynomial function.

The domain of any polynomial function is the set of all real numbers. When we divide two polynomial functions, the result is a rational
function, and we must exclude any values of x that make the denominator equal to zero.

Course Content

Key concepts of rational function

The application of rational functions are enormous in more advanced mathematical disciplines.

Rational functions are used to model complex science and engineering equations including forces, electronics,optics, aerodynamics, and
acoustics in physics, spectroscopy, atomic and molecular wave functions, and enzymes kinetics in chemistry, and even in the field of
medicine.

Rational functions are likewise used in multiple areas of study to predict outcomes in economics.

One of the more practical applications of rational equations is in solving work problems.

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10/10/23, 7:16 PM Learning Guide 2: Rational Functions

Lesson 2.1: Rational Equations and Rational Inequalities

An equation that contains rational expressions is referred to as rational equation. The following are examples of rational equations:

1.

2.

3.

An inequality that contains rational expressions is referred to as rational inequality. The following are examples of rational inequalities:

1.

2.

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A. Rational Equations

Equations that contain rational expressions are called rational equations. is an example of a rational equation. In solving rational

equations, multiply each term of the equation by the least common denominator (LCD) of the rational expressions to eliminate the fractions or
denominators, then solve the resulting equation.

How to solve Rational Equation?

1. Factor all the denominators.

2. Find the least common denominator (LCD)

3. Multiply each side of the equation by the LCD to cancel out denominator

4. Solve the equation

5. Check solution(s). Reject any solution that makes the denominator = 0

Examples:

1.

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Hence x = 1 is the solution of the given equation.

2.
Factor the expression

Reduce the fraction

Multiply both sides

Check solution

hence or 1.5 is the solution of the equation

3.

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Multiply both sides by (x + 2) (X + 1);

(x + 2)(x + 4) + (x + 1)(2x + 3) = 3x2 + 10x

( x2 + 6x + 8) + (2x2 + 5x + 3) = 3x2 + 10x

Combining like terms;

3x2 + 11x + 11 = 3x2 + 10x

3x2 - 3x2 + 11x - 10x + 11 = 0

x + 11 = 0

x = - 11

Checking;

Hence x = - 11 is the solution of the given equation.

4 .

Multiply both sides by (2x - 3) (x + 1)

(4x - 6) (x + 1) = (2x - 3) (7)

4x2 - 2x - 6 = 14x - 21

4x2 - 16x + 15 = 0

(2x - 3) (2x - 5) = 0

x = 3/2 or x = 5/2

Check;

if

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This value x = 3/2 is not a root of the given equation. Such kind of value is referred to as extraneous root.

Hence, x = 5/2 is the solution of the given equation.

This video is for educational purpose only. Credit to the owner.

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10/10/23, 7:16 PM Learning Guide 2: Rational Functions

B. Rational Inequalities

Rational inequalities are easier to solve if their denominators are eliminated. Remember that the sense of an inequality is unchanged if the same
real number is added to, or subtracted from both sides of the given inequality. Moreover, the sense of an inequality remains if both sides of the
inequality are multiplied by, or divided by the same positive real number. But the sense of an inequality is reversed if both sides of the inequality
are multiplied by, or divided by the same negative real number.

Be guided our table below

Examples

Solve each rational inequality, then, graph its solution set.

1.

Multiply both side by 8 then solve the equation.

or ; The solution set in interval form is [ ,∞).

Its graph is given below.

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2.

Simplify

Find zeros from the numerator and the values that make the function undefined from the denominator.

Critical values:

x + 10 = 0
x = -10
x-3=0
x=3

see graph below

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10/10/23, 7:16 PM Learning Guide 2: Rational Functions

Lesson 2.2: Representing Rational Functions

Rational Functions In this lesson, you’ll learn what a rational function is, and you’ll learn how to sketch the graph of a rational function.

Rational functions A rational function is a fraction of polynomials. That is, if p(x) and q(x) are polynomials, then

is a rational function. The numerator is p(x) and the denominator is q(x).

The following are examples of rational functions

The last example is both a polynomial and a rational function. In a similar way, any polynomial is a rational function. In this class, from this
point on, most of the rational functions that we’ll see will have both their numerators and their denominators completely factored. We will also
only see examples where the numerator and the denominator have no common factors. (If they did have a common factor, we could just
cancel them.)

Domains of Rational Function

The implied domain of a rational function is the set of all real numbers except for the roots of the denominator. That’s because it doesn’t make
sense to divide by 0.

Example 1. The implied domain of

is the set

Vertical asymptotes

To graph a rational function, begin by marking every number on the x-axis that is a root of the denominator. (The denominator might not have
any roots.)

Draw a vertical dashed line through these points. These vertical lines are called vertical asymptotes. The graph of the rational function will
“climb up” or “slide down” the sides of a vertical asymptote

Examples 2.

For the rational function 1/x, 0 is the only root of the denominator, so the y-axis is the vertical asymptote. Notice that the graph of 1/x climbs
up the right side of the y-axis and slides down the left side of the y-axis.

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The rational function;

has vertical asymptotes at x = 4 and at x = 6

x-intercepts

The x-intercepts of a rational function (if there are any) are the numbers where;

If is such a number, then we can multiply by q(α) to find that

In other words, α is a root of p(x). Thus, the roots of the numerator are exactly the x-intercepts

Example. 3

2 is the only x-intercept of the rational function

In between x-intercepts and vertical asymptotes

When graphing a rational polynomial, first mark the vertical asymptotes and the x-intercepts. Then choose a number between any
consecutive pairs of these marked points on the x-axis and see if the rational function is positive or negative when x = c. If it’s positive, draw a
dot above the x-axis whose first coordinate is c. If it’s negative, draw a dot below the x-axis whose first coordinate is c.

Example 4. Let’s look at the function below

again.

The x-intercept of its graph is at x = 2 and it has vertical asymptotes at x = 4 and x = 6.

We need to decide whether r(x) is positive or negative between 2 and 4 on the x-axis, and between 4 and 6 on the x-axis.

Let’s start by choosing a number between 2 and 4, say 3. Then

Notice that; -7, (3-4) and (3-7) are negative while 8, (3-2) and (32 +1) are positive.

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If you are multiplying and dividing a collection of numbers that aren’t equal to 0, just count how many negative numbers there are. If there is an
even number of negatives, the result will be positive. If there is an odd number of negatives, the result will be negative. In the previous
paragraph, there are three negative numbers

The number 5 is a number that is in between 4 and 6, and

Examples 5

Construct a table of values and sketch the graph.

a. , where x is not equal to zero.

b. , where x is not equal to 2.

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Video Tutorials

References: 1050-text-rf.pdf (utah.edu)

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A. Graphing Rational Functions

The algebraic analysis of a rational function facilitates its graphing. The technique in graphing rational functions include finding the
intercepts, zeros, and asymptotes of the rational functions.
Intercepts
The intercepts of the graph of a rational function are the points of intersection of its graph and an axis.
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.
The x-intercept of the graph of a rational function r(x), if it exists, occurs at the zeros of the numerator that are not zeros of the denominators.
Examples 1
Find the x and y-intercepts, if they exist, of the following rational functions:

Solution:

Zeroes Asymptotes

2.

x-intercept:
x2 - 9 = 0
(x+3)(x-3) = 0
x+3=0 x -3 = 0
x = -3 x=3
x=3

The zeroes of rational function r(x)= can be determined by solving p(x)=0. In other words, whatever values that make the numerator

p(x) equal to zero are the zeroes of r(x) provided that it is not a zero of the denominator.

Example 3

Find the zeroes of each rational function.

a.

equate the numerator to 0

x + 2 =0

x = -2

Thus the zero of f(x) is -2.

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b.

equate the numerator to zero

(3x+2)(3x-2)=0

3x+2=0 3x-2=0

Thus the zeroes of f(x) are and or -0.67 and 0.67.

The graph of a rational function r(x) is a continuous smooth curve with breaks that occur at the value of x where it is undefined.

Generally, the breaks signal the presence of asymptotes. An asymptote is an imaginary line to which a graph gets closer and closer as it
increases or decreases its value without limit.

It is important to stress that an asymptote is not part of the graph of a given rational function, but will not touch it because the function is
undefined at that value.

To determine the vertical asymptote of a rational function r(x), find the zeroes of the denominator that are not zeroes of the numerator.
Example 4

Determine the vertical asymptotes of each function.

The zeroes of the numerator are 1, -2, and 3. The zeroes of the denominator are x=-1 and x=4. The vertical asymptotes for f(x) are x=-1 and x=4.
These values are zeroes of the denominator but not of the numerator.

The zeroes of the numerator are -1 and 2. the zeroes of the denominator are 2 (multiplicity 2) and -3. The vertical asymptote for f(x) are x=2 and
x=-3. The value x=2 remains to be a vertical asymptote since its multiplicity is 2, which is greater than the multiplicity of the same zero in the
numerator.

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.

ii. If n = d, the horizontal asymptote y is the ratio of the leading coefficient of the numerator to the leading coefficient of the denominator.

iii. If n > d, there is no horizontal asymptote.

Examples 5

Determine the horizontal asymptote of each rational function.

1.

Solution

The degree of the numerator x is less than the degree of the denominator

x2 + 1 therefore, the horizontal asymptote is y = 0.

2.

Solution

The degree of the numerator 2x-5 and that of the denominator x + 3 are equal. Therefore, the horizontal asymptote y is equal to the ratio of the
leading coefficient of the numerator of the the denominator. That is

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3.

Solution

The degree of the denominator 3 x3 - 1 is greater than the degree of the denominator x2 - 5. Therefore, there is no horizontal asymptote.

Examples 6
Sketch the graph of the following rational function.

1.

y-intercept:

x = 3 is the only x intercept of f(x) because it is not zero in the denominator.

zeroes of denominator:
x=-3

zeroes of numerator:

x = 3 and x = - 3

There is no horizontal asymptote. Instead, a hole in the graph at x = - 3 occurs. If f(x) is simplified, the result is

The graph of the rational function f(x) is the same as the graph of the line y = x - 3 with a hole at x = - 3 because f(x) is not defined
when x = -3.

y-intercept:

x-intercept:

zeroes of denominator:

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2x + 3 = 0

zeroes of numerator:

vertical asymptote:

x = -3/2

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This video is for educational purpose only. Credit to the owner.

References:

Next Century Mathematics General Mathematics, Orines, Fernado B.,

copyright 2016 by Phoenix Publishing House, Inc

https://www.purplemath.com/modules/solvrtnl.htm

https://www.algebra-class.com/solving-word-problems-in-algebra.html

https://www.onlinemathlearning.com/rational-function-problems.html

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B: Tutorial For Vertical and Horizontal Asymptotes

Vertical Asymptotes

Horizontal Asymptotes

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C. Video Tutorials Simplifying Rational Expressions

C. Video Tutorials Simplifying Rational Expressions

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Written Task 2

Click the image Quiz button below to proceed.

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Performance Task 2

Click the assignment image button below to proceed.

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