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PreCalc Notes 3.6 Graphing Rational Functions

The document discusses key aspects of graphing rational functions including vertical and horizontal asymptotes, holes, slant asymptotes, and determining intercepts. It provides rules for identifying asymptotes based on the degrees of the numerator and denominator polynomials. Examples are worked through to find asymptotes, holes, intercepts, and graph the functions.

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Coleen Jhoy Siete
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36 views

PreCalc Notes 3.6 Graphing Rational Functions

The document discusses key aspects of graphing rational functions including vertical and horizontal asymptotes, holes, slant asymptotes, and determining intercepts. It provides rules for identifying asymptotes based on the degrees of the numerator and denominator polynomials. Examples are worked through to find asymptotes, holes, intercepts, and graph the functions.

Uploaded by

Coleen Jhoy Siete
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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3.

6 Graphs of Rational
Functions
• A rational function is a quotient of two polynomial
functions.

p ( x)
f ( x)  where q(x)  0
q( x)
1
f ( x) 
Parent function: x
has branches in 1st and 3rd quadrants. No x or
y-intercepts.
Branches approach asymptotes.
Vertical asymptote – the line x = a is a VA for f(x) if
f(x) approaches infinity or f(x) approaches negative
infinity as x approaches a from either the left or the
right.
The VA is where the function is undefined or the
value(s) that make the denominator = 0.
• Whenever the numerator and denominator have a
common linear factor, a point discontinuity may
appear. If, after dividing the common linear factors,
the same factor remains in the denominator, a VA
exists. Otherwise the graph will have point
discontinuity.
Asymptote That means there is a hole in the
( x  1) ( x  1) graph at that point and not an
2 ( x  1) asymptote
( x  1)
Hole
Ex 1
find any VA or holes
x 2  3 x  54
y 2
( x  18 x  81)( x  6)

( x  9)( x  6)
y
( x  9) 2 ( x  6)
1 VA : x  9
y
( x  9)
 1
hole :  6, 
 15 
Horizontal Asymptote – the line y = b is a HA for f(x)
if f(x) approaches b as x approaches infinity or as x
approaches negative infinity.
• Can have 0 or 1 HA.
• May cross the HA but it levels off and approaches it as x
approaches infinity.
Shortcut for HA’s

• If the degree of the denominator is > the degree of


the numerator then there is a HA at y = 0.
• If the degree of the numerator is > the degree of
the denominator then there is NO HA.
• If the degree of the numerator = the degree of the
denominator then the HA is y = a/b where a is the
leading coefficient of the numerator & b is the LC of
the denominator.
Determine the asymptotes & the x and y-
intercepts
Degrees are equal  a/b
2x
f ( x)  HA : y  2
x 1 VA : x  1
x  int :  0, 0 
y  int :  0, 0 
Find asymptotes, x-int, y-int
x 8 Degree is bigger in the
y 2 denominator y=0
4x 1
HA : y  0
( x  8) 1 1
y VA : x  & x  
(2 x  1)(2 x  1) 2 2

x  int :  8, 0 
y  int :  0, 8 
find asymptotes
Degree is bigger in the
x3
y 3 denominator y=0
x 1 HA : y  0
x3
y VA : x  1
( x  1)( x 2  x  1)

3 2 Degrees are equal


5x  2 x  7 x  9 y=a/b
y 3 2 5
4 x  3 x  8 x  6 HA : y  
4
3 2
3 2
5x  2x  7 x  9 5 x  2 x  7x  9 VA : x   2
y 2  2
x (4 x  3)  2(4 x  3) ( x  2)(4 x  3)
3
&x 
4
Slant asymptote p( x)
remember f ( x)  where q(x)  0
q( x)
• There is an oblique or slant asymptote if the degree
of P(x) is EXACTLY one degree higher than Q(x). 
• If this is the case the oblique asymptote is the
quotient part of the division.
• Can have 0 or 1 slant asymptote.
• Can have a VA and slant, a HA and VA, but NOT a
HA and slant.
Either it has a slant or is
has a HA
find the slant asymptote
Degree is exactly one
4 x 2  6 x  37
f ( x)  bigger in the numerator
x4  divide
SA : y  4 x  10

2 x3 Degree is exactly one


f ( x)  2 bigger in the numerator
x  x  12
 divide
SA : y  2 x  2
Test Points!!
Graph and find everything!!
2 ( x  3)( x  1)
x  4x  3 y
y 3 2
x( x  3)( x  2)
x  x  6x
Degree is bigger in the
denominator y=0
HA : y  0
VA : x  0 & x  2
 2
hole :  3,  
 15 
x  int :  1, 0 
y  int : DNE
Graph and find everything!!
can ' t
2
x  3x  3 y
y x4
x4
SA : y  x  1
VA : x  4
 3  21 
x  int :  , 0 
 2 
 3
y  int :  0,  
 4
Graph and find everything.
x2 – 3xy – 13x + 12y + 39 = 0
x 2  13 x  39 y  can ' t
y 3 x  12
3 x  12
1
SA : y  x  3
3
VA : x  4
 13  13 
x  int :  , 0 
 2 
 13 
y  int :  0,  
 4
Homework

pg 313 #5-9 odd, 15-23 odd,


33-39 odd, 59, 63

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