GM - Lesson 2.3 Domain and Range of A Rational Function

Lesson 3.
1
Domain and Range of
Rational Functions
De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute - Special Health Sciences Senior High School 0
Learning Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to

• determine if a function is rational; and
• find the domain and range of rational functions.
Look Back!
Before you begin with this lesson, it is suggested that you

revisit the following topics from your previous math lessons to
better understand the topics to be discussed in this lesson.
• Polynomial Expressions
• Factoring Polynomials
Rational Functions
Definition 3.1.1. Rational Function

$ %
A rational function is a function of the form 𝑓 𝑥 = where
& %
𝑃 and 𝑄 are both polynomials, and 𝑄 𝑥 ≠ 0.
Rational Functions
Recall that an algebraic expression is a polynomial if:
Ø no variable is found inside a radical symbol;
Ø no variable is raised to a negative or a fractional exponent;

and
Ø no variable is found in the denominator
Rational Functions
%+,
Consider the function 𝑓 𝑥 = - .
% ./
In this function, the numerator 𝑥 + 1 is considered as a

polynomial, and the denominator 𝑥 2 − 9 is also a polynomial.
Based on the definition of a rational function, the function 𝑓 is
considered as a rational function.
Rational Functions
,. %
Consider another function 𝑔 𝑥 = %+6
.
In this function, the numerator 1 − 𝑥 is not a polynomial. Since

the numerator of the function is not a polynomial, the function 𝑔
is not considered a rational function. Remember that both the
numerator and the denominator need to be a polynomial to be
classified as a rational function.
Rational Functions
Example 1:
Determine if the following functions are considered as rational:
,
a. 𝑓 𝑥 =
%
,.% -
b. 𝑔 𝑥 =
% 7 +8
%
c. ℎ 𝑥 = -
% 7 +:
Rational Functions
Solution:
,
a. 𝑓 𝑥 =
%
Both the numerator and the denominator are

,
polynomials. Thus, 𝑓 𝑥 = is a rational function. Note
%
that a constant is still considered a polynomial.
Rational Functions
Solution:
,.% -
b. 𝑔 𝑥 =
% 7 +8
Both the numerator and the denominator are polynomials.

,.% -
Thus, 𝑔 𝑥 = 7 is a rational function.
% +8
Rational Functions
Solution:
%
c. ℎ 𝑥 = -
% 7 +:
-
The denominator of the function 𝑥 + 4 is not a polynomial 7
since the variable 𝑥 is raised to a fractional exponent. Thus,

%
ℎ 𝑥 = - is not a rational function.
% 7 +:
Try This!
1 Determine if the following functions are considered as
rational:
2.%
a. 𝑓 𝑥 = -
%
:.%+% -
b. 𝑔 𝑥 =
%+,
26
c. ℎ 𝑥 =− -
% .<%
De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute - Special Health Sciences Senior High School
11
Domain of a Rational Function
Definition 3.1.2. Domain of a Rational Function
The domain of a rational function is the set of all 𝑥 values that

makes the function defined.
In order to find the domain of a rational function, we need to

find the values of 𝑥 that will make the denominator equal to
zero. Note that if the denominator of a rational expression is
zero, then the rational expression is undefined.
%
Consider the rational function 𝑓 𝑥 = .
%+2
To find the domain of this function, we find the value/s of 𝑥 that

makes the denominator equal to zero. We now equate the
denominator to zero, and solve for 𝑥.
𝑥+2=0
𝑥 = −2
%
Thus, the domain of the rational function 𝑓 𝑥 = is the set of all
%+2
numbers except −2. In symbols, the domain of the function is 𝑥 ≠ −2.
Example 2:
%+6
Determine the domain of the function 𝑓 𝑥 = 2%.,
.
Solution:
Equate the denominator to zero.
2𝑥 − 1 = 0
2𝑥 = 1
1
𝑥=
2
𝟏
Therefore, the domain of the function is 𝒙 ≠ .
𝟐
Try This!
2 Determine the domain of the function 𝑓 𝑥 = %.: .
A%+,
17
Example 3:
% - .:
Determine the domain of the function 𝑔 𝑥 = .
% - .A%.:
Solution:
𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 4 = 0
Factor the quadratic expression on the left and equate each
factor to zero.
𝑥−4 𝑥+1 =0
𝑥−4=0 𝑥+1=0
𝑥=4 𝑥 = −1
Therefore, the domain of the function is the set of real numbers
except −1 and 4. In symbols, 𝒙 ≠ −𝟏 and 𝒙 ≠ 𝟒.
Try This!
3 Determine the domain of the function 𝑓 𝑥 = %.: .
A%+,
20
Range of a Rational Function
Definition 3.1.3. Range of a Rational Function
The range of a rational function is the set of all values that the
function takes.
In order to find the range of a rational function, we need to

solve for 𝑥 in terms of 𝑦 and find the values of 𝑦 that makes the
rational expression undefined.
%
Consider the rational function 𝑓 𝑥 = .
%+2
Replace 𝑓 𝑥 with 𝑦.
𝑥
𝑦=
𝑥+2
Then, solve for 𝑥 in terms of 𝑦. Begin by multiplying both sides

with 𝑥 + 2.
𝑥
𝑦 𝑥+2 = 𝑥+2
𝑥+2
𝑥𝑦 + 2𝑦 = 𝑥
Isolate the variable 𝑥.
𝑥𝑦 + 2𝑦 = 𝑥
𝑥𝑦 − 𝑥 = −2𝑦
𝑥 𝑦 − 1 = −2𝑦
𝑥 𝑦−1 −2𝑦
=
𝑦−1 𝑦−1
−2𝑦
𝑥=
𝑦−1
Now, we have to identify the value of 𝑦 that makes the rational

expression undefined. We equate the denominator to zero.
𝑦−1=0
𝑦=1
Thus, the range of the rational function is the set of real

numbers except 1. In symbols, 𝑦 ≠ 1.
Example 4:
%+6
Determine the range of the function 𝑓 𝑥 = 2%.,
.
Solution:
Replace 𝑓 𝑥 with 𝑦. Solve for 𝑥 in terms of 𝑦.
𝑥+6 𝑥+6
𝑦= 𝑦=
2𝑥 − 1 2𝑥 − 1
𝑦 2𝑥 − 1 = 𝑥 + 6
2𝑥𝑦 − 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 6
2𝑥𝑦 − 𝑥 = 𝑦 + 6
𝑥 2𝑦 − 1 = 𝑦 + 6
𝑦+6
𝑥=
2𝑦 − 1
Solution:
2𝑦 − 1 = 0
2𝑦 = 1
1
𝑦=
2
𝟏
Therefore, the range of the function is 𝒚 ≠ .
𝟐
Try This!
4 Determine the range of the function 𝑓 𝑥 = %.: .
A%+,
29
Example 5:
2%.H
Determine the range of the function 𝑔 𝑥 = .
%+8
Solution:
Replace 𝑓 𝑥 with 𝑦. Solve for 𝑥 in terms of 𝑦.
2𝑥 − 5 2𝑥 − 5
𝑦= 𝑦=
𝑥+8 𝑥+8
𝑦 𝑥 + 8 = 2𝑥 − 5
𝑥𝑦 + 8𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 5
𝑥𝑦 − 2𝑥 = −5 − 8𝑦
𝑥 𝑦 − 2 = −5 − 8𝑦
−5 − 8𝑦
𝑥=
𝑦−2
Solution:
𝑦−2=0
𝑦=2
Therefore, the range of the function is 𝒚 ≠ 𝟐.
Try This!
5 Determine the range of the function 𝑓 𝑥 = /%+:.
A%.<
33
Key Ideas
$ %
q A rational function is a function of the form 𝑓 𝑥 =
& %
where 𝑃 and 𝑄 are both polynomials, and 𝑄 𝑥 ≠ 0. A
function is a relation that relates an element of one set to
exactly one element in another set by some rule.
q The domain of a rational function is the set of all 𝑥 values

that makes the function defined.
q The range of a rational function is the set of all values that

the function takes.

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Lesson 3.

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to

Before you begin with this lesson, it is suggested that you

Definition 3.1.1. Rational Function

Recall that an algebraic expression is a polynomial if:

Ø no variable is found inside a radical symbol;

Ø no variable is raised to a negative or a fractional exponent;

Ø no variable is found in the denominator

In this function, the numerator 𝑥 + 1 is considered as a

In this function, the numerator 1 − 𝑥 is not a polynomial. Since

Both the numerator and the denominator are

Both the numerator and the denominator are polynomials.

since the variable 𝑥 is raised to a fractional exponent. Thus,

Definition 3.1.2. Domain of a Rational Function

The domain of a rational function is the set of all 𝑥 values that

In order to find the domain of a rational function, we need to

To find the domain of this function, we find the value/s of 𝑥 that

Definition 3.1.3. Range of a Rational Function

In order to find the range of a rational function, we need to

Then, solve for 𝑥 in terms of 𝑦. Begin by multiplying both sides

Isolate the variable 𝑥.

Now, we have to identify the value of 𝑦 that makes the rational

Thus, the range of the rational function is the set of real

Therefore, the range of the function is 𝒚 ≠ 𝟐.

q The domain of a rational function is the set of all 𝑥 values

q The range of a rational function is the set of all values that

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