Rational Functions

( ) is the quotient of two polynomial functions a ( x ) and b ( x ) , where b is

A rational function f x
nonzero.

( )
f x =
( ) ,b ( x ) ≠ 0
a x
b (x )

Fill in the blanks describing one of the simplest rational functions, f x = ( ) 1

x
.
40
d yojifo.ro xo
f
Domain ______________
modulo Range ______________ Vertical Asymptote ______________

0
Horizontal Asymptote ______________ Type of discontinuity at x = 0 _________________
infinite
4
End Behavior ________________________________________________________________________________
him 0
limE.IO 1 horizontal asymptote

Example 1: Find the domain of each function and the equations of the vertical or horizontal
asymptotes, if any.

22 1 3
( )
a. f x =
x
x −1
( )
b. f x = 4x + 2

2x 2 + 1
T2x
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f
22
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 Graphs of Rational Functions: If f is the rational function given by

f (x ) =
( ) = a x + a x + ... + a x + a
a x n n −1

0
n n −1 1 0

b (x ) b x + b x
m
m
m −1
m −1
+ ... + b x + b 1 0

where b ( x ) ≠ 0 and a ( x ) and b ( x ) have no common factors other than ±1, then the graph of
f has the following characteristics.
denom
• zeros
Vertical Asym ptotes may occur at the __________________________ of b x . ( )
• Horizontal Asym ptote (either none or 1) is determined by comparing the degree
( ) with the degree m of b ( x ) .
n of a x
If n < m , the horizontal asymptote is _________________.
EYB.SC !
BOTN
!
! If n > m , there is ______"horizontal asymptote.
no
11
If n = m , the horizontal asymptote is _________________.
numerator
• Intercepts: x-intercepts, if any, occur at the real zeros of a x . The y-intercept, if it ( )
exists, is the value of f when x = 0 .
• Hole: When the numerator and denominator of a rational function have common
factors, the graph of the function has removable discontinuities called holes, at the
_________________ of the common factors. valueplug xvalue into simplifiedfunction
zeros y
• Oblique (Slant) Asym ptotes occur when the degree of the numerator is
______________________________________
one than the degree of the denominator. The
exactly more
function for the oblique asymptote is the quotient polynomial q x ( ) resulting from the
( ) by b ( x ) : f ( x ) = b (( x )) = q ( x ) + b (( x ))
a x r x
division of a x

x
Oblique asymptote y g
factors
To graph a rational function, simplify f, if possible, and then follow these steps.

1. Find the Domain

_______________________________________________________________________________________

2. Find sketch
_______________________________________________________________________________________
any asymptotes s holes
find S plot XSy
3. _______________________________________________________________________________________
intercepts

btwn x intS VA for

testspace
tf y
values
4. _______________________________________________________________________________________
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 Example 2: For each function, determine any vertical and horizontal asymptotes and
intercepts. Then graph the function and state its domain.

( )
a. k x =
7
x +5
( )
b. f x =
x +1
x2 − 4

a
BOBO

xfintimtebcgmtoneo.it y
yf.it

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v1
Example 3: Determine any vertical and horizontal asymptotes and intercepts for

( )
f x =
x 2 − x − 12
2x 2 − 8
. Then graph the function, and state its domain.

iiii in none

can
In.tt Ios Eusmio
f y

Example 4: Determine any asymptotes and intercepts for f x = ( ) x2 + x − 8

x +3
. Then graph the

function, and state its domain.

µ is
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t.j
Example 5: Determine any vertical and horizontal asymptotes, holes, and intercepts for

( )
h x =
x2 − 9
x2 − x − 6
. Then graph the function and state its domain.

x 3x − 2

mmmmm
Example 8: Solve x + = .

th
x −1 x −1

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sina.tt
Rational Equations
ii I
To solve a rational equation involving fractions, multiply each term in the equation by the least
common denominator (LCD) of all the terms of the equation. Because this can produce
extraneous solutions, always check your answers in the original equation.

x6
4
Example 7: Solve x − = 0.
x −6
at
17 6 6
2
11 96
EEI.IE
x 3x − 2
Example 8: Solve x + = .
x −1 x −1