Name: Grade & Section: Grade XI -

Subject: General Mathematics Teacher: Score:

Lesson: Quarter 1 Week 2 LAS 5

Activity Title: Rational Function: Its Domain and Range
Learning Target(s): Find the domain and range of a rational function
Reference(s): General Mathematics, Oronce, 2016; SILM Gen Math Quarter 1 Module 4
LAS Writer: DARLENE C. MARTIN
Content Validator/s:

Domain and Range of Rational Functions

The domain of a 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 f takes.
A rational function is a function of the form f(x) = p(x) , where p(x) and q(x) are polynomials
and q(x) ≠0. q(x)
The domain of a rational function consists of all 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.
For example, find the domain and range of the function
a.) f(x) = 1 , the domain is the set of all real numbers except x ≠ 0.
x the range of the function is the set of real numbers except 0.
b.) f(x) = 1 , is the set of all real numbers except x ≠ 4
x–4 the range of the function is set of real numbers except 0.
Example 1:
Find the domain and range of the function _1 _
y= -5
x+3
To find the excluded value in the domain of the function, equate the denominator to zero and
solve for x. x+3 = 0
x =-3
So, the domain of the function is same as the domain of the inverse function. So, to find the
range define the inverse of the function. Interchange the x and y.
x = _1_ - 5
y+3
Solving for y you get, x + 5 = _1_
y+3
_1_
y+3=
x+5

y = _1_ - 3
x+5
_1_
So, the inverse function is f -1(x) = -3
x+5

The excluded value in the domain of the inverse function can be determined by equating the
denominator to zero and solving for x.
x+5= 0
x=-5
 So, the domain of the inverse function is the set of real number except – 5. That is, the range
of given function is the set of real numbers except – 5.
Therefore, the domain of the given function is { x ϵ R|x ≠ - 3 } and the range is {y ϵ R|y ≠ - 5 }.
Example 2.
Find the domain and range of the function y = x2 – 3x – 4
x+1
When you factor the numerator and cancel the non-zero common factors, the function gets
reduced to a linear function as shown.
y = ( x + 1 )( x – 4 )
x+1
= ( x + 1 )( x – 4 )
x+1
=x–4
The function is not defined for x = - 1. So, the domain is { y ϵ R|y≠ k where y ( -1 ) = k }.
For x ≠ -1, the function simplifies to y = x – 4. The function is not defined at x = - 1 or the function
does not take the value – 1 – 4 = - 5. That is, k = - 5. Therefore, the range of the function is

{ y ϵ R|y ≠ - 5} or ( -∞ , 5 ) U ( - 5, ∞ )

Activity 1. Find the domain and range of the given functions.

1. f(x) = x2 – 4
x+2

2. f(x) = 1 + 4
x-6

3. g(x) = 2x - 1
2x + 1

4. h(x) = x2 – 2x - 1
3x

5. f(x) = 5
x-5