Rational

Function
General Mathematics
 At the end of the discussion, the learner will
be able to:
Learning outcome:
● determine the intercepts of rational
function
● Determine domain and a range of
rational function
● determine the zeroes of rational function
● determine the asymptotes of rational
functions
● define rational functions, rational
equations and rational inequalities; and
● solve problems involving rational
functions, equations and inequalities
 01
Part
Domain and Range, Intercepts, Zeroes,
and Asymptotes of Rational Functions
Domain and Range
In definition, the domain, of a function is
the set of all values that the variable 𝑥 can take while
the range of a function is the set of all values that
𝑦 𝑜𝑟 𝑓(𝑥) can take. But how do we determine and
write the domain and range of a rational function?

We can write domain and range using different

forms:
• Roster form
• Set-builder form / Set Notation
• Interval Notation
 𝒙−𝟐
Example: Find the domain and range of the function 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒙+𝟐
.

DOMAIN
Observe that the function is
undefined at 𝑥 = −2. This means
that 𝑥 = −2 is not part of the
domain of 𝑓 𝑥 . In addition, no
other values of x will make the
function undefined.
RANGE
We should know that the range of
the function is the same as the
domain of its inverse. Operationally,
−2𝑥−2
we get 𝑓 −1 𝑥 = 𝑥−1 . This means
that the function is undefined in 𝑦
= 1.

The range of 𝒇 𝒙 𝒊𝒔
The domain of 𝒇 𝒙 𝒊𝒔
{𝒚 ∈ 𝑹, 𝒚 ≠ 𝟏}
{𝒙 ∈ 𝑹, 𝒙 ≠ −𝟐}
 Steps for finding the Inverse of a Function
𝒇−𝟏 (𝒙)

1 3
2 4
Replace f(x) by y
in the equation Interchange x and
Solve for y.
describing the y. In other words,
function. replace every x by
Replace y by
a y and vice versa. 𝑓 −1 (𝑥)
 Intercepts of Rational
Function
Definition
An intercept of a rational function is a point where the
graph of the rational function intersects the x- or y-axis.
 Intercepts of Rational
Function

b. Graphically, we will just

locate points where the graph
of the rational function
intersects the x- or y-axis. We
have done it earlier in figure 1
so it would be better if we label
it on the graph below.
Zeroes of Rational Function
Asymptotes of Rational
Function
Vertical Asymptote of
Rational Function
Vertical Asymptote of
Rational Function
Horizontal Asymptote of
Rational Function
 Horizontal Asymptote of
Rational Function

The horizontal broken line you have drawn in

figure 1 is the horizontal asymptote which
serves as boundaries to which a function's
graph draws closer without touching it. As x
increases or decreases without bound, f(x)
gets closer and closer to. That is the line y=1.
Moreover, the range defines the horizontal
asymptote of the function. The graph below
will show us the intercepts, zeroes and
𝑥−2
asymptotes of 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥+2.