Name:

Section: Date:

A polynomial function p of degree n is a function that can be written in the form

�(�) = �� �� + ��−� ��−� ��−� ��−� + . . . + �� + ��

where ��, �� , . . . , �� ∈ ℝ, �� ≠ � and n is a positive integer. Each addend of the

sum is a term of the polynomial function. The constants �� , �� , . . . , �� are the
coefficients. The leading coefficient is �� . The leading term is �� �� ,
and the constant term is �� .

Example 1. Given the polynomial function �(�) = �� + �� − ��� − �� , find

The degree of the The leading The constant term The number of
polynomial coefficient zeroes

�(�)
A rational function is a function of the form �(�) = �(�)
where �(�) and �(�) are
polynomial functions and �(�) is not the zero function (i.e., �(�) ≢ �). The domain of
�(�) is the set of all values of x where �(�) ≠ �

��
Example 2. Suppose that �(�) = �� +� (in mg/mL) represents the concentration of a
drug in a patient's bloodstream t hours after the drug was administered. Construct a
table of values for c(t) for t = 1, 2, 5, 10. Use the table to sketch a graph and
interpret the results.

t 0 1 2 5 10

c(t)

Use the formula

Lesson 2: Rational Functions, Equations & Inequalities

Name:
Section: Date:

Rational Functions, Equations, and Inequalities

A rational expression is an expression that can be written as a ratio of two

polynomials.

The definitions of rational equations, inequalities, and functions are shown below.

Rational Equation Rational Inequality Rational Function

Definition An equation An inequality A rational function
involving rational involving rational is a function of the
�(�)
expressions. expressions. form �(�) = �(�)

(=) (≤,≥,<,>) where �(�) and �(�)

are polynomial
functions and �(�) is
not the zero function
(i.e., �(�) ≢ �). The
domain of �(�) is the
set of all values of x
where �(�) ≠ �

(�, �(�))
Examples � � � � � �(�) = �� + �� − ���
− = ≤
� �� � �−� �

A rational equation or inequality can be solved for all x values that satisfy the
equation or inequality.
A rational function expresses a relationship between two variables (such as x and y),
and can be represented by a table of values or a graph.

Example 3. Determine whether the given is a rational function, a rational equation, or

a rational inequality.

1.

2.

3.

4.

Lesson 2: Rational Functions, Equations & Inequalities

Name:
Section: Date:

Solving Rational Equations and Inequalities

To solve a rational equation:

1. Eliminate denominators by multiplying each term of the equation by the least
common denominator.
2. Note that eliminating denominators may introduce extraneous solutions. Check the
solutions of the transformed equations with the original equation

Example 4. Solve the following Rational Equation

Upon reaching this step, we can use strategies for solving polynomial equations

�2 − 3� − 10 = 0 → (� + 2)(� − 5) = 0

�+2 = 0 �−5=0
� + 2 − 2 =− 2 � − 5 + 5 =+ 5
� =− � �=�

Since � =− � makes the original equation undefined, � = � is the only solution.

To solve rational inequalities:

1. Rewrite the inequality as a single rational expression on one side of the inequality
symbol and 0 on the other side.
2. Determine over what intervals the rational expression takes on positive and
negative values.
i. Locate the x values for which the rational expression is zero or undefined (factoring the
numerator and denominator is a useful strategy).
ii. Mark the numbers found in (i) on a number line. Use a shaded circle to indicate that the
value is included in the solution set, and a hollow circle to indicate that the value is
excluded. These numbers partition the number line into intervals.

Lesson 2: Rational Functions, Equations & Inequalities

Name:
Section: Date:

iii. Select a test point within the interior of each interval in (ii). The sign of the rational
expression at this test point is also the sign of the rational expression at each interior
point in the aforementioned interval.
iv. Summarize the intervals containing the solutions.

Example 5. Solve the following Rational Inequality

Rewrite the inequality as a single rational expression

2x Add the additive inverse of

−1≥1−1
x+1 1 to both sides

2x Convert 1 to a similar fraction where the Remember that

x+1
−1≥0 denominator is the same as the other fraction =1
x+1 x+1

2x x+1 Now we have similar fractions, we can now

− ≥0
x+1 x+1 perform 2x − (x + 1)

2x−(x+1) Distribute the negative sign into (x + 1)

≥0
x+1

2x − x − 1 Evaluate
≥0
x+1

x−1
≥0
x+1

x−1
≥0
x+1

x−1=0 Add the additive inverse of

x − 1 + 1 =+ 1 -1 to both sides
x=1

x+1 = 0 Add the additive inverse of

x + 1 − 1 =− 1 1 to both sides
x =− 1

Lesson 2: Rational Functions, Equations & Inequalities

Name:
Section: Date:

Test the values of x

x−1
≥0
x+1
x=1 x =− 1
1−1 −1 − 1
≥0 ≥0
1+1 −1 + 1
0 −2
≥0 ≥0
2 0
True Undefined
x = 1 is included in the x =− 1 is not included in
solution the solution, because it
makes the inequality
undefined.

The rational expression will be zero for x = 1 and undefined for x = –1. The value x = 1
is included while x = –1 is not. Mark these on the number line. Use a shaded circle for
x = 1 (a solution) and an unshaded circle for x = -1 (not a solution).

We will now choose numbers (not the points) for testing the points.

x−1
≥0
x+1
� =− � �=�
−2 − 1
≥0 2−1
−2 + 1
≥0
2+1
−3
≥0 1
−1
≥0
3
3≥0
True True
All values of “x” can be less than -1 or All values of “x” can be greater than or
x <− 1 equal to 1 (Since 1 is included in our
solution) or x ≥ 1
Since we are looking for the intervals where the rational inequality is
positive or zero, we determine the solution to be the set
� ∈ ℝ ∶ x <− 1 or x ≥ 1

Lesson 2: Rational Functions, Equations & Inequalities

Name:
Section: Date:

Representations of Rational Functions

Example 6. Represent the speed of a runner as a function of the time it takes to run
100 meters in the track.

Since the speed of a runner depends on the time it takes to run 100 meters, we can
represent speed as a function of time.

Let “x” represent the time it takes to run 100 meters. Then the speed can be
represented as a function as follows:

� �
�= �� �(�) =
� �

�ℎ��� "�" �� �ℎ� �������� ��� "�" �� �ℎ� ����.

Let x be the runtime and �(�) be the speed of the runner in meters per second,
�
where �(�) = � . The table of values for run times from 10 seconds to 20 seconds is as
follows:

Table of Values
� 10 12 14 16 18 20
�(�)
d=100 meters

� ���
�(�) = → �(�) =
� �

��� ��� ���

�(��) = �(��) = �(��) =
�� �� ��

�(��) = �(��) = �(��) =

��� ��� ���
�(��) = �(��) = �(��) =
�� �� ��

�(��) = �(��) = �(��) =

Plot the values

Plot the points on the table of values on a Cartesian plane. Determine if the points on
���
the function �(�) = � follow a smooth curve or a straight line.

Assign points on the Cartesian plane for each entry on the table of values above:

Lesson 2: Rational Functions, Equations & Inequalities

Name:
Section: Date:

�(10, __) �(12, ___) �(14, ___) �(16, ___) �(18, ___) �(20, __)

Graph here

Graphing Rational Functions

a) The domain of a function is the set of all values that the variable x can take.
b) The range of the function is the set of all values that f(x) will take.
c) The zeroes of a function are the values of x which make the function zero.
d) The real numbered zeroes are also x-intercepts of the graph of the function.
e) The y-intercept is the function value when x=0.

How to find Do the following

x-intercept Find the values of x where the numerator will be zero.
y-intercept Evaluate the function at x = 0
Vertical asymptotes Find the values of a where the denominator is zero. If this value of a
does not make the numerator zero, then the line x = a is a vertical
asymptotes.
Horizontal asymptotes Let n be the degree of the numerator and m the degree of the
denominator
 If n < m, the horizontal asymptote is y = 0.
�
 If n = m, the horizontal asymptote is � = �, where a is the leading
coefficient of the numerator and b is the leading coefficient of the
denominator.
 If n > m, there is no horizontal asymptote.

Lesson 2: Rational Functions, Equations & Inequalities

Name:
Section: Date:

Example 7.
�+3 �+3
�(�) = 2
→
� − 2� − 3 (� − 3)(� + 1)

Domain
�+3
�(�) =
(� − 3)(� + 1)

�−3=0
� − 3 + 3 =+ 3
�=�

�+1 = 0
� + 1 − 1 =− 1
� =− �

� ∈ ℝ ∶ � ≠− � �� � ≠ �

x-intercept y-intercept
�+� �+3
�(�) = �(�) =
(� − �)(� + �) (� − 3)(� + 1)

�+�=� 0+3
�(0) =
� + � − � =− � (0−3)(0+1)
� =− �
3
�(0) =
−3(1)

�(�) =− �

Vertical Asymptotes Horizontal Asymptotes

�−3 &�+1 �+3

�(�) = 2
� − 2� − 3
�−3=0
� − 3 + 3 =+ 3 If n > m, there is no horizontal asymptote.
�=�
In this case � = �
�+1 = 0
� + 1 − 1 =− 1
� =− �

Lesson 2: Rational Functions, Equations & Inequalities

Name:
Section: Date:

Lesson 2: Rational Functions, Equations & Inequalities