Lesson 7.

6
Graphing Rational
Functions

Domain of rational functions all values of x that

do NOT make the denominator zero
x 2
f (x)
x 1

D = {x:x all real numbers except 1}

D (,1) (1, )

To graph plot x-values close to 1 on left and right.

2 branches 2 parts of graph
Asymptote line to which the graph approaches
horizontal (H.A.) and vertical (V.A.)
A graph may have no horizontal or vertical asymptotes
or several.

x 2
f (x)
x 1

x=1
y=1

vertical asymptote
horizontal asymptote

y approaches

x approaches

x approaches

y approaches

Rational function

P(x )
f (x )
Q( x )

Guidelines for Finding Asymptotes p. 478

1. Vertical asymptotes at each x value for which
denominator = 0
2. Horizontal asymptotes at most one
a. degree of P(x) < degree of Q(x) H.A. is y = 0
a
b. degree of P(x) = degree of Q(x) H.A. is y
b
a is leading coefficient of P(x)
b is leading coefficient of Q(x)
c. degree of P(x) > degree of Q(x)

no H.A.

Find the domain and asymptotes

write domain in interval notation
5
f (x) 2
x

D = {x: x is all real #s except 0}

D (,0) (0, )
V.A. x = 0
H.A. y = 0

x
f (x)
x 8 D = {x: x is all real #s except -8}
D (, 8) (8, )
V.A. x = -8
H.A. y = 1

3
g( x )
t (t 1)

D = {t: t 0,1 }
D (,0) (0,1) (1, )
V.A. t = 0 and t = 1
H.A. y = 0

2s 2
h(s)
s 3 D = {s: s 3 }
D (, 3) (3, )
V.A. s = -3
H.A. none

Graphing Rational Functions p. 480

graph without calculator
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Find & plot y-intercept

f(0)
Find & plot x-intercepts set numerator = 0
Find V.A. & sketch
Find H.A. & sketch
Plot at least 1 pt. between & beyond x-int. & V.A.
Use smooth curve to complete graph between &
beyond V.A.

Graph f ( x)

2x 4
x

No y-intercept
f(0) is undefined.
V.A. x = 0
H.A. y = 2

Find y-intercept, x-intercept

V.A., H.A.
x
y

-2 -1 -4 2 1 4
0

-2

1 4 6 3

2x + 4 = 0
2x = -4
x = -2
x-int. (-2, 0)

Graph f ( x)

x
x2 4

x
f ( x)
( x 2)( x 2)

Find y-intercept, x-intercept

V.A., H.A.
x
y

f(0) = 0
y-intercept (0, 0)
V.A. x = 2 and x = -2
H.A. y = 0

-3 -4 -1 1
3
5

1
1 1 3
1

3
3 3 5
3

x=0
x-int. (0, 0)

Discontinuities
Vertical and horizontal asymptotes are
non-removable discontinuities.
Removable Discontinuities holes
Not in your textbook.

R.D.

x 1
f ( x)
( x 1)( x 2)
1
f ( x)
x2

R.D. from cancelled factors

in the denominator.
V.A. from factors that were
not cancelled.
V.A. x = 2
H.A. y = 0
1

R.D. when x = -1 1,
3

When graph put o at R.D.

R.D. is an ordered pair.

Substitute -1 for x in simplified function to

find the y-value of the R.D.
5
x-intercept
x 1
3
4
2
1
y-intercept
y -1
1
2
2

None
1

0,