Advanced Functions

Course Notes

Unit 4 – Rational Functions,

Equations and Inequalities
We are learning to
 sketch the graphs of simple rational functions
 solve rational equations and inequalities with and without tech
 apply the techniques and concepts to solve problems involving rational
models
Unit 4 – Rational Functions, Equations and
Inequalities
Contents with suggested problems from the Nelson Textbook (Chapter 5)

4.1 Introduction to Rational Functions and Asymptotes

Pg. 262 #1 - 3

4.2 Graphs of Rational Functions

Pg. 272 #1, 2 (Don’t use any tables of values!), 4 – 6, 9, 10

4.4 Solving Rational Equations

Pg. 285 - 287 #2, 5 – 7def, 9, 12, 13

4.5 Solving Rational Inequalities

Pg. 295 - 297 #1, 3, 4 – 6 (def), 9, 11

1
4.1 Rational Functions, Domain and Asymptotes
Learning Goal: We are learning to identify the asymptotes of rational functions.

Definition 4.1.1
A Rational Function is of the form

3x2  5 x  1
e.g. f ( x) 
2x 1

2x  5
g ( x) 
3x  2

Domain

Definition 4.1.2
p( x)
Given a rational function f ( x )  , then the natural domain of f ( x ) is given by
q ( x)

Example 4.1.1
x2  4
Determine the natural domain of f ( x )  .
x 3
 Asymptotes

There are 3 possible types of asymptotes:

1) Vertical Asymptotes

2) Horizontal Asymptotes

3) Oblique Asymptotes

Vertical Asymptotes

p( x)
A rational function f ( x )  MIGHT have a V.A. when q ( x)  0 , but there may be a hole
q ( x)
discontinuity instead. A quick bit of algebra will dispense the mystery.

Example 4.1.2
Determine the domain, and V.A., or hole discontinuities for:
5x
a) f ( x )  2
x  x6

3
 x3
b) h( x ) 
x2  9

x2  4
c) g ( x ) 
x2

4
Horizontal Asymptotes

Here we are concerned with

p( x)
i.e. We are asking, given a rational function f ( x )  , how is f ( x ) behaving as
q ( x)
x   .

Now, since p ( x) and q( x) are both polynomials, they have an order (degree). We must consider
three possible situations regarding their order:

1) Order of p ( x )  Order of q ( x )
x3  2
e.g. f ( x)  2
x 1

2) Order of numerator  Order of denominator

2 x 2  3x  1
e.g. f ( x ) 
3x2  4 x  5

3x  4 x5
e.g. Determine the horizontal asymptote of g ( x )  
5 x5  2 x  1

5
 3) Order of numerator p( x)  Order of denominator q ( x )
x2  5x  6
e.g. f ( x) 
x5  7

Oblique Asymptotes

These occur when

x2  2 x  3
e.g. f ( x) 
x 1

With Oblique Asymptotes we are still dealing with

O.A. have the form y  mx  b (shocking, I know!) The question we have to face is this:

How do we find the line representing the O.A.?

Ans:

6
 x2  2x  3
(Rough) Sketch of f ( x) 
x 1

V.A.

H.A.

O.A.

Example 4.1.3
Determine the equations of all asymptotes, and any hole discontinuities for:
x2
a) f ( x)  2
x  3x  2

4 x 2  25
b) g ( x) 
x2  9

7
 x2
c) h( x ) 
x3

Example 4.1.4
Determine an equation for a function with a vertical asymptote at x  3 , and a
horizontal asymptote at y  0 .

Example 4.1.5
Determine an equation for a function with a hole discontinuity at x  3 .

Success Criteria:
 I can identify a hole when there is a common factor between p(x) and q(x)
 I can identify a vertical asymptote as the zeros of q(x)
 I can identify a horizontal asymptote by studying the degrees of p(x) and q(x)
 I can identify an oblique asymptote when the degree of p(x) is exactly 1 greater than q(x)

8
4.2 Graphs of Rational Functions
Learning Goal: We are learning to sketch the graphs of rational functions.

Note: In Advanced Functions we will only

consider rational functions of the form
ax  b
f ( x) 
cx  d

ax  b
Rational Functions of the form f ( x )  will have:
cx  d

1) One Vertical Asymptote

2) One Zero (unless

3) Functional Intercept

4) A Horizontal Asymptote

5) These functions will always be either

9
 Functional Behaviour Near A Vertical Asymptote

There are FOUR possible functional behaviours near a V.A.:

ax  b
For functions of the form f ( x )  we will see behaviours
cx  d
The questions is, how do we know which?

We need to analyze the function near the V.A.

10
We need to become familiar with some Notation.

Consider some rational function with a sketch of its graph which looks like:

Example 4.2.1
2x 1
Determine the functional behaviour of f ( x)  near its V.A.
x3

11
We now have the tools to sketch some graphs!

Example 4.2.2
Sketch the graph of the given function. State the domain, range, intervals of
increase/decrease and where the function is positive and negative.

2x 1
a) f ( x ) 
x 1

3x  2
b) g ( x) 
2x  5

12
Example 4.2.3
15t  25
Consider question #9 on page 274: I (t ) 
t

Success Criteria:
 I can identify the horizontal asymptote as
 I can identify the vertical asymptote as −
 I can identify the y-intercept as
 I can identify the x-intercept as −

13
4.4 Solving Rational Equations
Learning Goal: We are learning to solve rational equations. Think rationally!

Solving a Rational Equation is VERY MUCH like solving a Polynomial Equation. Thus, this stuff
is so much fun it should be illegal. But it isn’t illegal unless you break a rule of algebra. Math
Safe!

KEY (this is a major key for you music buffs)

Multiplying by the Multiplicative Inverse of the Common Denominator
is wonderful to use WHEN YOU HAVE something like:
RATIONAL1  RATIONAL2  RATIONAL3

e.g.

Make Sure To Keep RESTRICTIONS ON X In Mind

14
Example 4.4.1
x 9
a) Solve 
5 18

1 5x 2
b) Solve   RESTRICTIONS
x 3 5

15
 3 4
c) Solve  2 RESTRICTIONS
x x 1

10 4 5
d) Solve 2
  RESTRICTIONS
x  2x x x  2

16
 5 15 60
e) Solve 16 x   
x  2 x  2  x  2  x  2 

17
Example 4.4.2
From your Text: Pg. 285 #10
The Turtledove Chocolate factory has two chocolate machines. Machine A takes m minutes to
fill a case with chocolates, and machine B takes m + 10 minutes to fill a case. Working together,
the two machines take 15 min to fill a case. Approximately how long does each machine take to
fill a case?

Success Criteria:
 I can recognize that the zeros of a rational function are the zeros of the numerator
 I can solve rational equations by multiplying each term by the lowest common
denominator, then solving the resulting polynomial equation
 I can identify inadmissible solutions based on the context of the problem

18
4.5 Solving Rational Inequalities
Learning Goal: We are learning to solve rational inequalities using algebraic and graphical
approaches.
The joy, wonder and peace these bring is really quite amazing

x2
e.g. Solve 0 Note: For Rational Inequalities, with a variable
7
in the denominator, you CANNOT
multiply by the multiplicative inverse of
the common denominator!!!!

Why?
Example 4.5.1
x2
Solve 0
x3

We solve by using an Interval Chart

For the intervals, we split  ,   at all zeros (where the numerator is zero), and all
restrictions (where the denominator is zero) of the (SINGLE) rational expression. Keep in
mind that it may take a good deal of algebraic manipulation to get a SINGLE rational
expression…

19
Example 4.5.2
1
Solve 5 DO NOT CROSS MULTIPLY (or else)
x5
 Get everything on one side
 Simplify into a single Rational
Expression using a common
denominator
 Interval Chart it up

20
Example 4.5.3
x2  3x  2
Solve 0 FACTORED FORM IS YOUR FRIEND
x 2  16

21
Example 4.5.4
3
Solve x
x2

22
Example 4.5.5
From your Text: Pg. 296 #6a
Using Graphing Tech Note: There are TWO methods, both
x  3 x 1 of which require a FUNCTION
Solve  (let f ( x )  ... returns )
x4 x6

1) Get a Single Function (on one side of the 2) Use Two Functions (one for each side)
inequality)

Success Criteria:
 I can recognize that an inequality has many possible intervals of solutions
 I can solve an inequality algebraically, using an interval chart
 I can solve an inequality graphically

23