​ ​ -- ​Rational Functions​ --  

Operations
​ Adding/ Subtracting Multiplying/ Dividing ​.
2 5 + 2x 4 6 + 2x
x−2 -
x2 − 4
1.​ ​get common denominators by
x − 2 ÷ x2 − 4
1.​ ​if you are being asked to divide two
2 5 + 2x determining the lcm of the two 4 x2 − 4 fractions, KeepFlipChange
x − 2 - (x + 2)(x − 2) denominators, and then multiplying x − 2 • 6 + 2x 2.​ ​while multiplying, factor the parts
2 x+2 5 + 2x each fraction by a fancy form of one 2(2) (x + 2)(x − 2) of the fractions and cancel out
x − 2 ( x + 2 ) - (x + 2)(x − 2) 2.​ add/subtract the numerators and x−2• 2(3 + x) 3.​ Multiply numerator • numerator
2x + 4 5 + 2x −1 leave the denominators as is in order 2 x+2 2x + 4 and denominator • denominator to
x2 − 4 - x2 − 4 = x2 − 4 to get your final answer 1 • 3+x= 3+x get your final answer

​ Solving Equations ​.
6 4 x2 − 20 3 5
x+3= x−3 x2 − 7x + 12 = x − 3 + x − 4
6 4
(x - 3)(x + 3) • x+3=( x−3
) • (x - 3)(x + 3) 1.​ f​ ind the lcm of the denominators. then
2
(x - 3)(x - 4) • (x −x 3)(x
− 20 3 5
− 4) = ( x − 3 + x − 4 ) • (x - 3)(x - 4)
6(x - 3) = 4(x + 3) multiply both sides by that expression
x​2​ - 20 = 3(x - 4) + 5(x - 3)
6x - 18 = 4x + 12 2.​ ​simplify both sides of the equation x​2​ - 20 = 3x - 12 + 5x - 15
2x = 30 0 = x​2​ - 8x + 7 = (x - 7)(x - 1)
x = 15 3.​ solve for x x = 7 and x = 1
1 1
3= 3✔
29 29
4. ​check for extraneous solutions x = 7: 12 = 12 ✔ x = 1: −19
6 =
−19
6 ✔

Graphing
​ Horizontal Asymptote Rules Vertical Asymptote Rules ​.
Big Bottom: ​ ex. 2x +5
x2 − 4 , HA is y = 0 the denominator of a fraction is not allowed to equal 0. so if you
3
Big Top:​ ex. x6x+ 3 , HA is y = quotient of fraction set the denominator equal to 0 and solve for x​, the vertical
2 − 20 leading coef f icient
Both Same:​ ex. x2 x− 7x + 12 , HA is y = leading coef f icient asymptotes are located at all the solutions

9x 2
​ y= x2 − 16
y = 2xx2 −+3x9x−+10
10
​.
(2x + 5)(x + 2) 2x + 5
Holes​: none 1. ​simplify the fraction if necessary. note y= (x + 2)(x − 5) →y= x−5
that the stuff you cancel out is the hole
HA: ​big bottom, so y = 0 Holes:​ (-2, - 71 )
and that you need to plug it back into the
2​
VA:​ x​ - 16 = 0 → x = 4 and x = -4 new equation to solve for the y-value HA:​ both same, so y = 2
^^ note that they have odd multiplicities, so the graph will be “opposites” ^^

x-intercept: ​0 = 9x
→ x = 0 → (0,0) 2. ​find the horizontal asymptote, the VA:​ x - 5 = 0 → x = 5
x2 − 16 ^^ note that they have odd multiplicities, so the graph will be “opposites” ^
9(0) vertical asymptotes, the x-intercepts, and 2x + 5 −5 −5
y-intercept:​ y = 02 − 16
→ y = 0 → (0,0) the y-intercepts. x-intercept:​ 0 = x − 5 → x = 2 → ( 2 ,0)
2(0) + 5
y-intercept:​ y = 0 − 5 → y = -1 → (0,-1)

3.​ plot the points and lines on your graph

4.​ draw the graph based on what you

already plotted in step 3. it may help you
to learn about multiplicities if you usually
have trouble eyeballing it. you can also
plug in random points to make sure that
you are graphing in the generally right
direction
^^ see how the graphs are going different ways on either side of the vertical ^^ see how the graphs are going different ways on either side of the vertical
asymptote. that means that that asymptote has an odd multiplicity. if they asymptote. that means that that asymptote has an odd multiplicity. if they were
were even, they would be going the same direction ^^ even, they would be going the same direction ^^