MODULE 2

UNIT 1: KEY CONCEPTS OF RATIONAL FUNCTION

Week 2

Content Standard: The learner demonstrates understanding of key concepts of rational

functions.
Performance Standard: The learner is able to accurately formulate and solve real-life
problems involving rational functions.

Introduction: The study of rational functions involves some basic concepts of rational
expressions, rational equations, and modelling real – life situations using
rational functions. A graphical representation of a rational function
exhibits its components such as intercepts, asymptotes, and its domain and
range.

Objectives: At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
1. represents real-life situations using rational functions.
2. distinguishes rational function, rational equation, and rational
inequality.
3. solves rational equations and inequalities.
4. represents a rational function through its: (a) table of values, (b) graph,
and (c) equation.
5. finds the domain and range of a rational function.

2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that "All Scripture is inspired by God and useful
for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness".

The Bible is a work of God that was written by human men that were
inspired by God.

What better source of inspiration than our Creator! Whether you are
looking for motivation, encouragement, reassurance, or peace, the Bible should be
the first resource you turn to!

He wants to "prosper you and not to harm you, to give hope and a future"
(Jeremiah 29:11) You can also send these to a family member or friend in need
and be assured that God can work miracles when we choose to believe His
promises! Use these verses to be inspired and motivated to continue believing and
having faith!

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DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS:
1. As a student, how will you show to others that the Word of God is really true
and just?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

2. Share one experience wherein you can testify that the Words in the Bible are
true and just.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

PURPOSE
"Rational function" is the name given to a function which can be
represented as the quotient of polynomials, just as a rational number is a number
which can be expressed as a quotient of whole numbers. Rational functions
supply important examples and occur naturally in many contexts. All polynomials
are rational functions.

PRE – ASSESSMENT
Let’s Explore!
The owner of the house wants to complete the painting of his room for a
short period of time. He knew that it takes Alfred 6 hours to paint a room and it
takes Andrew 10 hours to paint the same room. In how many hours will they
complete the painting task if they work together?

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
The owner decided to hire a third painter. If they were able to finish the job in
3 hours, how long can the third painter finish the job alone? Show your
solutions.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

CONNECT
Work – related problems, like one above, exhibit the concept of rational
equations.
Solving equations involving rational expressions uses the concept of
simplifying rational expressions, factoring, determining the LCD, cancellation of
common factors, and properties of equality.

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 𝑝
A rational expression is the form where p and q are polynomial
𝑞
expressions. Equations with rational expressions as terms are called rational
equations.

INTRODUCTION

A rational function is defined as the quotient of polynomials in which the

denominator has a degree of at least 1. In other words, there must be a variable in
the denominator.
The general form of a rational function is p(x)q(x) ,
where p(x) and q(x) are polynomials and q(x)≠0 .

CONTENT/ BIG IDEAS

Steps in solving for rational inequalities:

1. Move all terms on one side and simplify its form by factoring the nonzero
side.
2. Find the roots in the numerator by equating it to 0 and find the vertical
asymptote by equating the denominator to 0 or undefined.
3. Make a diagram by locating these values on the real number line.
4. Pick a test point for every region in the diagram.

Example 1: Finding the Solutions of a Rational Inequality:

𝒙 +𝟏
Find the values of x that will satisfy 𝒙 − 𝟒 > 0.

Step Solution

Step 1 𝒙 +𝟏
> 0
𝒙−𝟒
The inequality is already in
simplified form. All nonzero
terms are on the left side.
Step 2 Numerator Denominator
Find the points of interest by 𝑥 +1=0 𝑥 −4=0
equating the numerator to 0 𝑥 = −1 𝑥=4
and denominator to 0. The rational inequality is zero when 𝑥 = −1
and undefined when 𝑥 = 4.

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 Step 3 𝑥 < −1 −1<𝑥 <4 𝑥>4
Locate these values on the rea
l −1 4
number line to find the interva
ls needed to be tested.
Step 4 𝒙 𝒙 𝒙 𝒙 𝒙
Pick a test point for every = −𝟐 = −𝟏 =𝟎 =𝟒 =𝟓
region.
−𝟐+𝟏 𝟎+𝟏 𝟓+𝟏
= =
−𝟐 −𝟒 𝟎 −𝟒 𝟓 −𝟒
−𝟏 𝟏 𝟔
−𝟐 −𝟒
=𝟏
positive 0 negati undefi positi
ve ned ve

Conclusion We do not include the values -1 and 4 since

we only want to find the solution which will
make the expression greater than 0. Then,
we have less than -1 and greater than 4 as
the possible values. Thus, the solution set of
the rational inequality is (−∞, −1) ;
(4, + ∞)

The domain of function f(𝑥) is the set of all values for which the
function is defined, and the range of the function is the set of all values
that ff takes.
𝒑(𝒙)
A rational function is a function of the form f(x)=𝒒(𝒙), where p(𝑥) and q(𝑥) are
polynomials and q(𝑥)≠0.
The domain of a rational function consists of all the real numbers 𝑥 except
those for which the denominator is 0 . To find these 𝑥 values to be excluded
from the domain of a rational function, equate the denominator to zero and solve
for 𝑥 .
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For example, the domain of the parent function f(𝑥) = 𝑥 is the set of all
1
real numbers except 𝑥 = 0 . Or the domain of the function f(𝑥)= is the set
𝑥 −4
of all real numbers except 𝑥 = 4 .

EXPLAIN

To continue, open the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rhpix2eqQ-

c&pbjreload=10 and watch the video to better understand rational function.

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 (𝑥+1)(𝑥 −2 )
Example 2: Now, consider the function f(𝑥)= . On simplification,
(𝑥 −2)
when 𝑥 ≠2 it becomes a linear function f(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 1 . But the
original function is not defined at 𝑥 = 2. This leaves the graph with
a hole when 𝑥 = 2 .

Example 3:

The domain and range is the set of all real numbers except 0 .

Domain: {𝑥 | 𝑥 ≠ 0}
Range:{𝑦 | 𝑦 ≠ 0}

Excluded value
In a rational function, an excluded value is any x – value that makes the
function value y undefined. So, these values should be excluded from the domain
of the function.
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For example, the excluded value of the function 𝑦 = 𝑥+3 is –3. That is,
when x=−3x, the value of y is undefined.
So, the domain of this function is set of all real numbers except −3.

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 Asymptotes
An asymptote is a line that the graph of the function approaches, but never
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touches. In the parent function (𝑥) = 𝑥 , both the x - and y -axes are asymptotes.
The graph of the parent function will get closer and closer to but never touches
the asymptotes.
𝑎
A rational function in the form 𝑦 = 𝑥−𝑏 + 𝑐 has a vertical asymptote at
the excluded value, or x = b , and a horizontal asymptote at y =c .

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT

1. Identify which of the following is true and which one is false. Justify your
answers.
𝑥 +3
a. 2𝑥 = 5 when 𝑥 = 3
2𝑥 3𝑥
b. = when 𝑥 = 2
2𝑥 +4 𝑥 +2
𝑥 3 5𝑥
c. + 𝑥 = 2𝑥 when 𝑥 = −1
𝑥−1
𝑥 2 −4
2. Find the values of x that will satisfy 𝑥 − 2 ≥ 0.
3. Your family is going to a place 120 km away. How long will the trip if you
take at the following rates?
Speed (x) Travel time (t hours)
60 kph
40 kph
30 kph
15 kph
10 kph

a. How does the graph look like?

b. If your speed increases, what happens to the time travelled?

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 1
4. Find the domain and range of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥

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5. Find the domain and range of 𝑓(𝑥) = +2
𝑥−1

Create an ePortfolio to show the step by step solutions and the answers to the
problems given below.

1. For a camera with lens of fixed focal length F to focus on an objects located at
distance x from the lens, the film must be placed a distance y behind the lens,
where, F, x, and y are related by

1 1
+ =𝐹
𝑥 𝑦
Suppose the camera has 45 – mm lens (𝐹 = 45)
Express as a function of x.
𝑥−1
2. Find the domain of 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥−1)(𝑥)
3. In Biomathematics, Holling’s functional response curve describes the feeding
habits of a predator in terms of the density of the prey. An example of such is
given by a rational function
16𝑥
𝑁(𝑥) = ,𝑥 ≥ 0
1 + 2𝑥
Here x is the density of the prey --- that is, the number of prey per unit area ---
and y is the number of prey eaten per day by a certain predator.

a. Graph the graph of the function.

b. In terms of the predator and prey, why is reasonable for the graph to be
increasing and concave down?
c. What is the vertical asymptote of the functions?
d. What is the horizontal asymptote of the function

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Additional Resources:
• https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/inspirational-bible-
verses/
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rhpix2eqQ-c&pbjreload=10

References:
• General Mathematics for Senior High School, 2016 by C & E
Publishing, Inc., ISBN – 978-971-98-0542-7
• Teaching the Essential Topics of General Mathematics, 2019 by PEAC
Ensuring SHS Learners’ Preparation for the Four Exits of the K – 12
Curriculum