5.

Sketching Graphs of Rational

Functions

SETTING THE STAGE

Suppose that the percentage of people using a new computer model t years after
2

100t
its introduction to the market is modelled by p(t)  
, where p is the
t 2  500

percentage of people and is expressed as a percent. After how long does the
growth rate in the percentage of people stop increasing and begin to decrease?
Why might the answer to this question be useful to the company that markets the
new computer model?
To answer the first question, a specific point on the graph of the function must
be determined.
A graphing calculator will help estimate this point, but using calculus will
give an exact answer. In this section, you will revisit the calculus techniques in
Chapter 4 used to analyze polynomial functions. You will apply these techniques
to analyze rational functions.
EXAMINING THE CONCEPT
Sketching Graphs of Rational Functions
You have sketched the graphs of rational functions by first finding the domain,
intercepts, and asymptotes. You have also learned how to find the extreme values
of a function and the intervals where the function increases and decreases. You
can also determine the concavity of a graph and how to find the points of
inflection.
Using all of this information, you can sketch the complete graph of a rational
function without technology.
Example 1

Analyzing the Graph of a Rational Function

5x
Without graphing technology, graph f (x)  
.
x2  1

Solution
1. Analyze f (x).

Use the equation of the function to find the domain, the intercepts, and the
asymptotes.
Domain
There are no restrictions on the domain. The domain is the set of all real
numbers, {x x R}.
Intercepts
The zero of the function occurs when the numerator is 0, so the function has
one zero at x  0. The x-intercept is 0.
f (0)  0, so the y-intercept is 0.

5.7

SKETCHING GRAPHS OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

405

Asymptotes
There are no vertical asymptotes since the denominator can never be equal
to 0.

5x

x2

0
5x
  0, so y  0 (the x-axis) is a
lim 
 lim 

2
2
10
x x 1
x x  1
x2

x2

horizontal asymptote on the right, and

5x
lim 
21
x
x 

5x

x2

 lim


2
x  x2  12
x
x

  0, so y  0 is a horizontal

10

asymptote on the left.

There are no oblique asymptotes, since the highest power of x in the
numerator is not one more than the highest power of x in the denominator.
Symmetry
Will the graph of the function be symmetric? Because of the x 2 in the
denominator, the denominator will always be positive. Therefore, the sign of
f (x) is determined by the sign of the numerator. In fact, f (x)  f (x).
So the graph will be symmetric about the origin. The shape of the graph on
the left of the origin will be the same as that on the right of the origin.
But one side will appear to be upside down.
The graph will approach the x-axis from above on the right and from below
on the left.
2. Analyze f (x).

Critical Numbers
Use f (x) to find any critical numbers.
Apply the quotient rule to find f (x).

At a critical number c,
f (c) = 0 or f (c) does not
exist.

5(x  1)  (2x)(5x)
f (x)  
(x 2  1)2
2

5(1  x )
 
(x 2  1)2
2

5(1  x)(1  x)
f (x)  
is defined for all real x-values.
(x 2  1)2

f (x)  0 when the numerator is 0. x  1, so 1 and 1 are critical numbers.

Intervals of Increase and Decrease
In this case, the sign of f (x) is completely determined by the numerator, the
product (1  x)(1  x), since the denominator (x 2  1)2 is always positive.
Intervals
x < 1

1 < x < 1

x>1

1x

1+x

(+)() =

(+)(+) = +

()(+) =

increasing

406 CHAPTER 5 RATES OF CHANGE IN RATIONAL FUNCTION MODELS

decreasing

decreasing

The function is
increasing on the interval
a < x < b if f (x) > 0 for
all x in that interval.
The function is
decreasing on the
interval a < x < b if
f (x) < 0 for all x in that
interval.

f is decreasing when x < 1, increasing on 1 < x < 1, and decreasing when
x > 1.
f (c) is a local minimum
value if f (x) changes
from negative to positive
at c.
f (c) is a local maximum
value if f (x) changes
from positive to negative
at c.

Local Maximum and Minimum Values

From the above table, you can see that f (x) changes from negative to positive at
x  1, which means the graph has a local minimum at f (1)  2.5.
5(1)
 2.5
 f (1)  
(1)  1
2

The sign of f (x) changes from positive to negative at x  1, which means the
graph has a local maximum at f (1)  2.5.
Concavity and Points of Inflection

3. Analyze f (x).

5  5x
Now determine f . First expand f . f (x)  
x 4  2x 2  1
2

10x(x  2x  1)  (5  5x )(4x  4x)

f (x)  
(x 4  2x 2  1)2
4

The graph of the

function is concave up
when f (x) is increasing
i.e. when f (x) > 0.
The graph of the
function is concave
down when f (x) is
decreasing i.e. when
f (x) < 0.
At a point of inflection
the graph changes from
concave up to concave
down or vice versa.
f (c)  0 or f (c) does
not exist.

10x(x  2x  1)  (20x)(1  x )
 
(x 4  2x 2  1)2
4

Use the quotient rule.

Simplify.

10x(x  2x  2  2x )
 
[(x 2  1)2]2
4

10x(x  2x  3)
 
(x 2  1)4

Factor.

10x(x  3)(x  1)
 
(x 2  1)4

Simplify.

10x(x 2  3)

 
(x 2  1)3
In this case, f (x) is defined for all real values of x.
f (x)  0 when the numerator equals 0. Let 10x  0 or x 2  3  0. Then
x  0 or x  3 . Points of inflection may occur at x  0 and x  3 .
Create a table to analyze the second derivative on the four intervals defined by
these x-values.
Intervals
x < 3

 3
<x<0

0 < x < 3

x > 3

10x

x2 3

(x 2

1)3

f (x)
f (x)

()(+)

(+)

()()

(+)

concave down

=+

(+)()

(+)

(+)(+)

(+)

=+

concave up concave down concave up

The graph is concave up on 3 < x < 0 and on x > 3 .

The graph is concave down on x < 3 and on 0 < x < 3 .

5.7

SKETCHING GRAPHS OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

407

The graph changes from concave down to concave up at x  3 . The graph

53
, or
changes from concave up to concave down at x  0. f 3  
4

about 2.2, and f (0)  0, so the estimated points of inflection are (1.7, 2.2),
5x
(0, 0), and (1.7, 2.2). Putting all the information together, graph f (x)  
.
x2  1
4. Sketch the graph.

4
2
graph approaches
x-axis from below

horizontal asymptote
8

0
2

inflection point
at (1.7, 2.2)

f(x) maximum point

(1, 2.5)
inflection point
at (1.7, 2.2)
x graph approaches
x-axis from above
2
4
6
8
x- and y-intercept
and inflection point (0, 0)
minimum point
(1, 2.5)

To sketch the graph of a rational function, follow these steps:

Apply these steps in the next example.
Sketching the Graph of a Rational Function
1. Use the function to

determine the domain and any discontinuities

determine the intercepts
find any asymptotes
2. Use the first derivative to

find the critical numbers

determine where the function is increasing and where it is decreasing
identify any local maxima or minima
3. Use the second derivative to

determine where the graph is concave up and where it is concave down

find any points of inflection
4. Calculate the values of y corresponding to critical points and points of

inflection. Use the information from steps 1 to 3 to sketch the graph.

Example 2

Curve Sketching
x  3x
Without graphing technology, sketch the graph of f (x)  
.
x4
2

Solution
1. Analyze f (x).

x(x  3)
In factored form, f (x)  
.
x4

The domain of the function is {x x  4, x R }.

The x-intercepts are 0 and 3. The y-intercept is 0. (The graph passes through
the origin.)
408 CHAPTER 5 RATES OF CHANGE IN RATIONAL FUNCTION MODELS

 Let the denominator equal 0. The line x  4 is a vertical asymptote.

f (3.999)  3995.001. So, as x 4, f (x) .
f (4.001)  4005.01. So, as x 4, f (x) .
As x , f (x) , and there is no horizontal asymptote.
Since the highest power of x in the numerator is exactly one more than the
highest power of x in the denominator, the graph of the function will have an
4
. The line
oblique asymptote. By long division, f (x)  x  1  
x4
y  x  1 is an oblique asymptote.
2. Analyze f (x).

(2x  3)(x  4)  (x 2  3x)(1)

f (x)  
(x  4)2
x  8x  12
 
(x  4)2
2

(x  2)(x  6)
 
(x  4)2

(in factored form)

f (x) is defined for all values of x in the domain of the function.

f (x)  0 when x  2 and when x  6, so 2 and 6 are critical numbers.
For intervals of increase and decrease, note that (x  4)2 is always positive,
so consider only factors of the numerator. Also recall that f (4) does not exist.
Intervals
x<2

2<x<4

4<x<6

x>6

x2

x6

()() = +

(+)() =

(+)() =

(+)(+) = +

decreasing

decreasing

increasing

f (x)

maximum at x = 2

increasing

(x 2)(x 6)

(x 4)2

f (x) =

minimum at x = 6

The function is increasing when x < 2 and when x > 6. The function is
decreasing when 2 < x < 4 and when 4 < x < 6.
The function has a local maximum at f (2)  1 and a local minimum at
f (6)  9.
3. Analyze f (x).

8(x  4)
8
f (x)  
 
, and x 4
(x  4)4
(x  4)3
f (x) is defined for all values of the domain of the original function.
f (x) 0 for any value of x.
The sign of the factor (x  4) in the denominator determines the sign of
f (x), since the numerator is always positive.

Intervals

x<4

x>4

x4

f (x) =

8

(x 4)3

f (x)

(+)

()

concave down
5.7

(+)

(+)

=+

concave up

SKETCHING GRAPHS OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

409

 The graph is concave up on x < 4 and concave down on x > 4.

There are no points of inflection. Since x  4 is not part of the domain of
f , the line x  4 is a vertical asymptote.
4. Sketch the graph.

f(x)
oblique asymptote
10
y=x+1
local minimum
at (6, 9)
4

10

0
4

local maximum
at (2, 1)
4

10

x
16

vertical asymptote x = 4

For applications, you must often consider one or more specific points on the
graph of a function.
Example 3

Examining Growth Rate

Recall the problem in Setting the Stage:

Suppose that the percentage of people using a new computer model t years
2

100t
after its introduction to the market is modelled by p(t)  
, where p is
t 2  500

the percentage of people and p is expressed as a percent. After how long does
the growth rate in the percentage of people stop increasing and begin to
decrease? Why might the answer to this question be useful to the company that
markets the new computer model?
Solution

The growth rate in the percentage of people is measured by p(t).

The growth rate is increasing when p(t) is increasing and p(t), is positive.
The growth rate is decreasing when p(t) is decreasing and p(t) is negative.
Find the point of inflection at which p(t) changes from positive to negative.
Check the domain and intercepts. Find any asymptotes. p(t) and p(t) will not
be defined at a vertical asymptote, and the curve may have different concavity
on each side of such an asymptote.
1. Analyze p(t).

Since t represents time, the domain is the set of all real numbers greater than
or equal to 0.
The x- and y-intercepts are both 0. (The graph passes through the origin.)
There are no vertical or oblique asymptotes. The line y  100 is a horizontal
asymptote on the right. This asymptote makes sense since p(t) represents a
percent.

410 CHAPTER 5 RATES OF CHANGE IN RATIONAL FUNCTION MODELS

200t(t  500)  100t (2t)

100 000t
p(t)  
 
and is defined for all values of t
(t 2  500)2
(t 2  500)2
in the domain of p.
2

2. Analyze p(t).

p(t)  0 when t  0. The growth rate in the percentage of people starts at 0.

3. Analyze p(t).

To determine p(t), first expand p(t).

100 000t
p(t)  
(t 2  500)2
100 000(t  1000t  250 000)  (4t  2000t)100 000t
p(t)  
[(t 2  500)2]2
4

300 000t  100 000 000t  25 000 000 000

 
[(t 2  500)2]2
4

100 000(250 000  1000t  3t )

 
(t 2  500)4
2

100 000(500  3t )(500  t )

 
(t 2  500)4
2

100 000(500  3t )
 
(t 2  500)3
2

p(t) is defined for all values of t in the domain of p(t).

p(t)  0 when t 

500
 or about 12.9. Ignore the negative root, since t 0.


3

The factor (500  3t 2) determines the sign of p(t), since the denominator
will always be positive.
Intervals
0<t<
500 3t 2
p(t ) =

100 000(500 3t 2)

(t 2 + 500)3

p(t )

500



3

(+)(+)

(+)

t>

500



3

=+

concave up

(+)()

(+)

concave down

500

The inflection point occurs at t  3 . The graph changes from concave up
to concave down. The growth rate in the percent of people stops increasing
and starts decreasing after about 12 years and 11 months.
You could also trace, using a graphing calculator, to find the estimated point
at which the graph changes from concave up to concave down. However, use
the second derivative to find the exact value.
The company that makes the new computer model may need to adjust
production levels as the market declines. The company should also develop
new products to make and sell to keep their plants busy.
You can use the features of the graph of a function to graph its derivative
functions.

5.7

SKETCHING GRAPHS OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

411

Example 4

Using the Graph of a Function to Graph Its First

and Second Derivatives

The graph of f (x) is shown. Use this graph to sketch the graphs of f (x) and f (x).
v
8

v = f(x)

Solution

Draw axes for the graphs of f (x) and f (x) beneath the graph of f (x).
Examine the graph of f (x).

x
4

Asymptotes:
Since the y-axis is a vertical asymptote, f (x) and f (x) are undefined at
x  0. f (x) has a discontinuity at x  0, so the graphs of f (x) and f (x) will
have vertical asymptotes.

8
y
8

y = f'(x)
x
4

Critical Points:
The graph of f (x) has a local minimum at point (1, 3) ( f (1)  3), so
f (1)  0 and f (x) will be positive.
The graph of f (x) has a point of inflection at a point on the x-axis between 2
and 1, so f (x)  0 at this value. Since the graph of f (x) changes from
concave up to concave down at this x-value, the sign of f (x) also changes
from positive to negative here.

8
y
8

y = f ''(x)
x

Also, since f (x) is 0 at this x-value, the graph of f (x) will have a local
maximum or minimum, and since the sign of f (x) changes from positive to
negative, it must be a local maximum point.

0
8

Slope and Intervals of Increase and Decrease:

f (x) is decreasing for x < 0 and for 0 < x < 1, so f (x) will be negative for x on
these intervals.
f (x) is increasing for all x > 1, so f (x) will be positive for x > 1.
As x 0 and as x 0, the slope  .
Concavity:
The graph of f is concave up for all x > 0, so f is positive for all x > 0.
Sketch the graphs of f and f using all of this information.
Sometimes you may have data about the derivative of a function rather than data
about the function itself. What can you learn about a functions graph from the
graph of its derivative?
Example 5

Sketching the Graph of a Function from the Graph of

Its Derivative Function

y
4
3
2
1
4 3 2 1 0

x
1 2 3 4

Here is the graph of f (x), the derivative of f (x), for 4 < x < 4.
(a) For what x-values between 4 and 4 is f (x) increasing? decreasing?
(b) At what x-values does the graph of f (x) have local maximum or minimum
points? Justify your answers.
(c) For what values of x is the graph of f (x) concave up? concave down? Explain.
(d) Sketch a possible graph for f (x) if f (0)  0.

412 CHAPTER 5 RATES OF CHANGE IN RATIONAL FUNCTION MODELS

Solution

y
2
1
4 3 2 1 0
1
2

x
1 2 3 4

(a) f (x) > 0 if f (x) is increasing. From the graph of f (x), f (x) > 0 on
1 < x < 1.
f (x) < 0 if f (x) is decreasing. From the graph of f (x), f (x) < 0 on
4 < x < 1 and on 1 < x < 4.
(b) At a local maximum or minimum, f (x)  0. From the graph, the zeros for
f (x) occur at x  1.
At x  1, f (x) changes from negative to positive, so the graph of f (x) will
have a local minimum point at x  1.
At x  1, f (x) changes from positive to negative, so the graph of f (x) will
have a local maximum point at x  1.
(c) f (x) is positive and f (x) is increasing where the graph of f (x) is concave
up. From the graph, f (x) is increasing between x  1.7 and x  0 and
again between x  1.7 and x  4. The graph of f will be concave up on
1.7 < x < 0 and on 1.7 < x < 4.
f (x) is negative and f (x) is decreasing where the graph of f (x) is concave
down. From the graph of f (x), the graph of f (x) will be concave down on
4 < x < 1.7 and on 0 < x < 1.7 .
(d) Now sketch a possible graph for f (x).
Since f (x) exists for all x-values between 4 and 4, f (x) must be
continuous in this interval.
The value of the slope at different x-values can be read directly from the
graph of f (x). For example, the slope of f (x) is 4 when x  0. Also, as x
approaches 4 or 4, the slope is negative and close to 0.
Given that f (0)  0, a possible graph for f (x) is shown on the left.

CHECK, CONSOLIDATE, COMMUNICATE

Explain why you might not use a graph created with graphing technology
to correctly answer an application problem.
2. What information can you get from f (x), f (x), and f (x) to help sketch
the graph of f (x)?
3. How can you sketch the graph of a function from the graph of its
derivative?
1.

KEY IDEAS

The first and second derivatives of a rational function give information

about the shape of the functions graph.
The number c is a critical number if
f (c) exists, that is, c is in the domain of the function and
f (c)  0 or f (c) does not exist.
The function is increasing for all x-values in an interval if f (x) > 0 on that
interval.
5.7

SKETCHING GRAPHS OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

413

 The function is decreasing for all x-values in an interval if f (x) < 0 on

that interval.
Let c be a critical number for a continuous function.
f (c) is a local maximum if the sign of f (x) changes from positive to
negative at c.
f (c) is a local minimum if the sign of f (x) changes from negative to
positive at c.
The graph of the function is concave up when f (x) is increasing and when
f (x) > 0.
The graph of the function is concave down when f (x) is decreasing and
when f (x) < 0.
A point of inflection is a point at which the graph changes from concave
up to concave down or vice versa.
At a point of inflection, f (x)  0 or f (x) does not exist.
Apply the steps for analyzing the features of any function to help sketch
its graph. These steps are introduced on page 408.

5.7

Exercises

Questions 1 to 7 refer to the following functions:

x1
(a) f (x)  
x2
x


(c) f (x)  
x2

2x
(b) f (x)  
x2  1
x5


(d) f (x)  3  
x5

1. Determine the domain and intercepts for each function.

2. Find the equations of all asymptotes for each function.
3. Find the first derivative. Determine the critical numbers for each function.
4. Find the intervals on which the functions are

i. increasing

ii. decreasing

5. Find the second derivative. Determine the interval(s) on which the graph of

each function is
i. concave up

ii. concave down

6. Identify all local maximum and minimum points and any points of

inflection for the graph of each function.

7. Use your results from questions 1 to 6 to sketch the graph of each function.
8. Verify the sketches you created for question 7 using graphing technology.

Are any of the graphs symmetric about the y-axis or about the origin?
How could you use the function equation to determine symmetry?

414 CHAPTER 5 RATES OF CHANGE IN RATIONAL FUNCTION MODELS

x 2  3x  9
x

9. Knowledge and Understanding: For f (x)   ,

9
18
(a) show that f (x)  1  
and f (x)  
x2
x3

(b) without graphing technology, use the information provided by the

original function and its first and second derivatives to sketch the graph
of the original function
4(x 1)
x

4(2  x)
x

8(x  3)
x

10. For f (x)  

, show that f (x)  
and f (x)  
.
2
3
4

Use the function and its derivatives to determine the domain, intercepts,
asymptotes, intervals of increase and decrease, and concavity, and to locate
any critical points and points of inflection. Then use this information to
sketch the graph of the original function.
2x
(1  x )

1
1x

2(3x 2 1)
(1  x )

11. For f (x)  2 , show that f (x)  

2 2 and f (x)  
2 3 .

Follow the steps for analyzing the graph of a function to sketch f (x).
12. Determine the first and second derivatives for each function. Then analyze

each function and sketch its graph.

(a) f (x)  x  x

x 1
(b) f (x)  
x3

1
(d) f (x)  
x 2  4x


(e) f (x)  
x2

x1

x
(c) f (x)  
(x  2)2
1

(f) f (x)  x  
3x 3


(h) f (x)  
4x  3

x 1
(i) f (x)  
x2  1

3x

x
(k) f (x)  
x 2 2

x x
(l) f (x)  
x1

x
(g) f (x)  
x1

(j) f (x)  
3x

2x

13. The concentration, c, of a certain drug in the bloodstream t hours after it

5t
is taken orally is modelled by c(t)  
. Analyze the function and
2t 2  5

sketch its graph. After how long does the concentration begin to decrease?
How does the rate of change of the concentration vary over time?
14. The position, s, of a particle moving along a straight line at t seconds is
2

5t
described by s(t)  
, where 0 t 10.
10  t 2

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

Analyze the function and sketch its graph.

After what time does the particle stop speeding up and start to slow down?
When is the velocity greatest?
Sketch the graph of the velocity function.

15. Application: The population, p, of frogs in a newly created conservation

2

2500t
area is modelled by p(t)  50  
, where t is the time in years since
25  t 2

the opening of the area. Analyze the model. According to this model,
(a) how many frogs will populate this area in the long run?
(b) when is the frog population increasing most rapidly?
Sketch the graph of the frog population.

5.7

SKETCHING GRAPHS OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

415

16. Let R(x) be a revenue function. R(x) is the marginal revenue. Its value at

any point is a measure of the estimated additional revenue from selling one
more item. Suppose the demand equation for a certain product is
5
p(x)  
, where x is the number of items sold in thousands, and p is the
1  x2

price in dollars. When does the marginal revenue reach its lowest value?
What feature of the graph of the revenue function occurs at this point?
17. Given the following results of the analysis of a function, sketch a possible

graph for the function:

(a) f (0)  0, the horizontal asymptote is y  2, the vertical asymptote is
x  3, f (x) < 0 and f (x) < 0 for x < 3; f (x) < 0 and f (x) > 0 for x > 3.
(b) f (0)  6, the horizontal asymptote is y  2, the vertical asymptote
is x  4; f (x) > 0 and f (x) > 0 for x < 4; f (x) > 0 and f (x) < 0
for x > 4.
18. Use the features of each functions graph to sketch the graphs of its first and

second derivatives.
y
(a)
2

(b)

y = f (x)

y
y = g(x)
x

x
3

0
4

19. A functions derivative is shown in each graph. Use the graph to sketch a

possible graph for the original function.

y
(a)
(b)

y
4

2
y = f (x)

0
4

8
y = g(x)

20. Communication: The graphs of a function and its derivatives, y  f (x),

y  f (x), and y  f (x), are shown in each graph. Which is which? Explain
how you can tell.
(a)
(b)
y
y
F
2

A
D

5 x

416 CHAPTER 5 RATES OF CHANGE IN RATIONAL FUNCTION MODELS

0
4

x
5

21. Decide whether each statement is true or false. Explain and give examples to

support your decisions.

(a) Function f (x) has a local maximum or a local minimum when x  3 if
f (3)  0.
(b) The graph of a rational function has a horizontal asymptote.
(c) The graph of f (x) has a point of inflection when x  2 if f (2)  0.
22. Check Your Understanding: Without graphing technology, sketch the
x  3x
graph of f (x)  
using information about the function and its
x 1
2

derivatives. Explain each step in the analysis.

C

b
x

23. The graph of the function f (x)  ax 2   has a horizontal tangent at point

(1, 3). Find a and b, and show that f (x) has a local minimum value at x  1.
24. If a continuous function has a local maximum value and a local minimum

value, then the graph of the function must have a point of inflection between
these two extrema. Do you agree with this comment? Explain with
examples.
25. Create a rational function so that, in the graph of this function,

(a) the y-axis and the line y  1 are asymptotes

(b) the x-intercept is at x  1
26. Create a rational function for which

i. the graph passes through (0, 4)

ii. lim f (x)  0
x

iii.

lim f (x)  , for any value of a in the domain

xa

27. Thinking, Inquiry, Problem Solving

(a) Sketch the graph of a function that satisfies these conditions.

i. f (x) < 0 and f (x) < 0 for x < 3 and for 3 < x < 6
ii. f (x) > 0 and f (x) < 0 for 3 < x < 3
iii. f (x) < 0 and f (x) > 0 for x > 6
iv. lim f (x)  0, lim  f (x)  , lim  f (x)  , and
x 

lim f (x)  0

x 3

x 3

v. f (0)  0
(b) Label all the features of the graph.

5.7

SKETCHING GRAPHS OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

417

ADDITIONAL ACHIEVEMENT CHART QUESTIONS

3x 2  4x  4
x

Knowledge and Understanding: Let f (x)  

.
2

(a) Determine the first and second derivatives; the domain, intercepts, and
asymptotes; intervals of increase and decrease and any critical points; and
concavity and points of inflection.
(b) Use the information from (a) to sketch f (x). Check your work with graphing
technology.
Application: If a polio epidemic broke out in a small community with no
vaccine, the fraction of the population that would be infected after t months
2

64t
could be modelled by f (t)  
, 0 t 5. Graph the function, showing all
(4  t)4
2000

essential features. When is the largest fraction of people infected? When is the
epidemic spreading most rapidly? Show the results on your graph.

1500

Thinking, Inquiry, Problem Solving: Graph a function f (x) for which

lim f (x)  ; for x < 0, f (x)  1 and f (x)  0; f (1)  0; for x > 0, the

x 0

only point at which f (x)  0 is (2, 2); f (3)  0; and lim f (x)  1.

1000

500

Communication: The growth in sales of a new product often follows a life-cycle

x

5 10 15 20 25 30 35

curve like the one shown. Describe the growth pattern. When will the sales
experience the most rapid growth?

The Chapter Problem

Designing a Settling Pond

Apply what you learned in this section to answer these questions about
The Chapter Problem on page 342.
CP16.

For each concentration function, (a) determine any critical

numbers and (b) determine intervals of increase or decrease.

CP17.

Determine where the graph of each concentration function is

concave up or concave down. Are there any points of inflection?
Explain.

CP18.

Use the information from questions CP16 and CP17 to refine the
graphs you made for question CP8.

CP19.

(a) Write a report that describes the buildup of arsenic in a

pond if water contaminated with arsenic runs into it.
Discuss the effect that the water runoff rate has on the
buildup of arsenic in the pond.
(b) In your report, also recommend the dimensions of a settling
pond that will minimize material costs. Illustrate your report
with your graphs and calculations.

418 CHAPTER 5 RATES OF CHANGE IN RATIONAL FUNCTION MODELS