4.

5: Rational Functions
Preview Explain, in your own words, why we cant divide by zero.

Discovering X-Intercepts, Domain, and Vertical Asymptotes of Rational Functions Take a look at the two linear functions, ( ) axes by filling out the corresponding chart. ( ) graphed below. Graph the quotient
( ) on the ( )

same set of

( )
f(x) -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 -4.5 -3.5

( )

( ) ( )

g(x)

Q: What are the equations of ( ) ( ) A: ( ) , ( )

( ) ( )

( ) ( )

Graph

( ) on your calculator and see if ( )

it matches the graph you drew. What is the domain of this function (what values of x are allowed)? What

Q: Take a look at our new function,

( ) . ( )

does this correspond to in terms of f and/or g? Why? A: Example 1 Find the domain of: [ ] ( ) [ ] ( ) [ ] ( )

Q: Going back again to our A:

( ) , ( )

what exactly happened at

?!

Lets learn some vocab Definition 1. A rational function is a function that is a ____________________________ of two ____________________________. That is, a rational function is ( ) Definition 2. The line x approaches a.
( ) ( )

where f and g are polynomials and ( )

is a vertical asymptote of the graph of f if f(x) increases or decreases without bound as

The word asymptote comes from the Greek word asymptotes, meaning not touching.

Q: So, what was the vertical asymptote for A: How to find a vertical asymptote: If ( )
( ) is ( )

( ) from ( )

the beginning of the lesson?

a rational function in which f(x) and g(x) have no common factors and a is a zero (or x-intercept) is a vertical asymptote of the graph of h.

of the denominator g(x), then

Example 2 Find the vertical asymptotes, if any, of: [ ] ( ) [ ] ( ) [ ] ( )

Q: Can the denominator of a rational function have a zero at a but not have a vertical asymptote at A: Hence, make sure you factor completely and divide any common factors before determining vertical asymptotes.
( ) . ( )

Q: List the x-intercept(s) of our favorite A:

What does this correspond to in terms of f and/or g? Why?

Example 3 Find the x-intercepts of the following functions. Always make sure theyre in your domain. [ ] ( ) [ ] ( ) [ ] ( )

Horizontal Asymptotes If we have vertical asymptotes, we gotta have horizontal ones, too Definition 3. The line decreases without bound. is a horizontal asymptote of the graph of f if f(x) approaches b as x increases or

While a function can have several vertical asymptotes it can have only one horizontal asymptote. Although a function can never intersect a vertical asymptote it may cross its horizontal asymptote. Example 4 Can you figure out which term(s) would have the most influence as x approaches .) What does this tell us about our horizontal asymptotes? [ ] ( ) [ ] ( ) [ ] ( ) (We write this as

How to find horizontal asymptotes: (Compare the degrees of top [numerator] and bottom [denominator]) (1) Biggest on bottom, then y=____________ is the horizontal asymptote (like Example 4 ______). (2) Biggest on top, then we have ______ horizontal asymptote (like Example 4 _____). (3) Exponents are the same, then y=______________ is the horizontal asymptote, where a is the leading coefficient of the numerator; b is the leading coefficient of the denominator (like Example 4 _____).

You can remember this by BOBO BOTN EATSDC

Example 5 Find the horizontal asymptote, if any, of: [ ] ( ) [ ] ( ) [ ] ( )

Oblique Asymptotes Definition 4. Sometimes a line that is neither horizontal nor vertical is an asymptote. Such a line is called an oblique asymptote or a slant asymptote. Q: What would be another way to write A: What happens to the remainder as or ?

Example 6 State the oblique asymptote of ( )

There can be only __________ horizontal asymptote or __________ oblique asymptote and never both. Note: An asymptote is NOT part of the graph of the function. Putting It All Together Example 7 State whether the following rational functions have a horizontal asymptote, oblique, or neither. If they have a horizontal or oblique asymptote, state what it is. [ ] ( ) [ ] ( ) [ ] ( )

Occurrence of Lines as Asymptotes of Rational Functions For a rational function ( ) ( ) ( ), where f and g have no common factors other than constants: Vertical asymptotes occur at any x-values that make the denominator ________. The x-axis (or y=0) is the horizontal asymptote when the degree of the numerator is __________________ the degree of the denominator. A horizontal asymptote other than the x-axis occurs when the degree of the numerator is ____________ the degree of the denominator. These horizontal asymptotes take the form where a and b are the leading coefficients of the numerator and denominator, respectively. An oblique asymptote occurs when the degree of the numerator is _____ greater than the degree of the denominator.

Other Important Pieces Domain restrictions are found by setting the _____________________ equal to ________. X-intercepts occur when the ________________________ is equal to __________. (Always check domain!) Y-intercepts can be found by computing ___________.

Example 8 Find all asymptotes and intercepts of ( ) State the domain. Graph the function.

Example 9 Find all asymptotes and intercepts of ( ) State the domain. Graph the function.

Example 10 The function ( ) , gives the body concentration N(t), in parts per million, of a certain dosage of (would this be a horizontal or vertical asymptote)? medicine after t hours. [A] What does N(t) approach as t goes to

[B] Explain the meaning of part [A] in terms of the application. Does the concentration ever decrease to

zero?

Q: Whats a rational function? A: