General Mathematics
RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
Rational equations- An equation that
contains rational expressions is referred to
as rational equation.
Rational Inequality- An inequality that
contains rational expressions is referred to
as rational inequality.
Rational Functions-A rational functions,
𝑟(𝑥), is a function of the form 𝑟 𝑥 = 𝑝(𝑥)/𝑞(𝑥)
Where 𝑝(𝑥) and 𝑞(𝑥) are polynomial
functions, and 𝑞 𝑥 ≠ 0
The domain of 𝑟(𝑥) is the set of real
numbers such that 𝑞 𝑥 is not zero.
In dealing with the a rational function, it is
often helpful to find values for which the
rational function is undefined. One will find
that the graph of the rational function
approaches lines that contains these values
for which the rational function is undefined;
hence the graph does not cross these lines.
Ex. The function 𝑓 𝑥 = 1/𝑥 which can be
represented by the equation 𝑦 = 1/𝑥 is not
defined when 𝑥 = 0. The graph of the
equation line 𝑥 = 0 will not be crossed by the
graph of 𝑓 𝑥 = 1/𝑥
Domain-A rational function, which is ratio of
two polynomials functions in many cases, is
not a polynomial functions. Unlike a
polynomial function which is defined for
every real number, a rational function is
defined only when the its denominator is not
equal to zero. This implies that the domain
of a rational function is the set of all real
numbers, except those that make the
denominator zero
Range-The range can be determined by
replacing 𝑓(𝑥) by 𝑦 and solving 𝑥 in terms and
then find the restrictions
Intercepts- are the points of intersection of
the graph of a function and an axis.
The y-intercept of the graph of a rational
function 𝑟(𝑥), if it exists, occur at 𝒓(𝟎),
provided that 𝒓(𝒙) is defined at 𝒙 = 𝟎
The x-intercept of the graph of a rational
function 𝑟 𝑥 , if it exist, occurs at the zeros of
the numerator that are not zeroes of the
denominators.
Asymptotes
Zero of a rational function- zero of the
numerator but not zero of the denominator
Asymptote-an imaginary line to which a
graph gets closer and closer as it increases
or decreases its value without limit
Vertical asymptote-find the zeroes of the
denominator that are not zeroes of the
numerator
Horizontal asymptote-compare the degree
of the numerator 𝑛 and the degree of the
denominator 𝑑.
If 𝑛 < 𝑑, the horizontal asymptote is 𝑦 = 0
If 𝑛 = 𝑑, the horizontal asymptote is 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑛/𝑎𝑑
.
If 𝑛 > 𝑑, there is no horizontal asymptote
INVERSE FUNCTION
A function y = f(x) with domain D is
one-to-one on D if and only if for every x1
and x2 in D, f(x1 ) = f(x2 ) implies that x1 =
x2 .
Function- a mapping from its domain to its
range so that each element, x, of the
domain is mapped to one, and only one,
element, f(x), of the range
A function is one-to-one if each element
f(x) of the range is mapped from one, and
only one, element, x, of the domain

Horizontal Line Test-A function y = f(x) is
one-to-one if and only if no horizontal line
intersects the graph of y = f(x) in more than
one point
Every function y = f(x) has an inverse
relation x = f(y).
The domain of the inverse relation is the
range of the original function. The range of
the inverse relation is the domain of the
original function
For a function y = f(x), the inverse relation
of f is a function if and only if f is
one-to-one.
For a function y = f(x), the inverse relation
of f is a function if and only if the graph of f
passes the horizontal line test.
If f is one-to-one, the inverse relation of f is
a function called the inverse function of f.
The inverse function of y = f(x) is written y =
f^-1 (x)
To find the inverse of a relation
algebraically, interchange x and y and
solve for y. Change the function notation
Composition of a function and its
inverse
properties:
i. 𝑓 −1 ∘ 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 for all 𝑥 in the domain of 𝑓,
and
ii. 𝑓 ∘ 𝑓 −1 𝑥 = 𝑥 for all 𝑥 in the domain of 𝑓 −1
• The inverse of the ordered pairs (x, y) is
the set of all ordered pairs (y, x).
• The Domain of the function is the range of
the inverse and the Range of the function is
the Domain of the inverse.
• Symbol: 1 f x( )
− In other words, switch the x’s and y’s!
EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Exponential- often associated with any
phenomenon characterized by rapid growth
with alarming consequences.
An exponential function is defined by the
rule: 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑎^𝑥 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑎 > 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎 ≠ 1
a is the base and x is the exponent.The
exponent must be a variable
Exponential function-an equation having a
variable in the exponent.
The property for exponential equations
Let a, b and c be real numbers and a≠ 0 .
Then, 𝑎^ 𝑏 = 𝑎^ 𝑐. If and only if b=c.
Exponential inequality-An equality in one
variable having a variable in the exponent
Rules for solving an exponential
inequality
i. If the same real number is added to or
subtracted from both sides of an inequality,
the sense of the inequality is not changed.
ii. If both sides of an inequality are multiplied
by or divided by the same positive real
number, the sense of inequality is not
changed.
iii. If both sides of an inequality are
multiplied by or divided by the same
negative real number, the sense of the
inequality is changed