Rational Functions

and Their Graphs

SUMMARY OF HOW TO FIND ASYMPTOTES
Vertical Asymptotes are the values that are NOT in the domain. To find them,
set the denominator = 0 and solve.
“WHAT VALUES CAN I NOT PUT IN THE DENOMINATOR????”

To determine horizontal or oblique asymptotes, compare the degrees of the

numerator and denominator.
1. If the degree of the top < the bottom, horizontal asymptote along the x
axis (y = 0)
2. If the degree of the top = bottom, horizontal asymptote at y = leading
coefficient of top over leading coefficient of bottom
3. If the degree of the top > the bottom, oblique asymptote found by long
division.
 Finding Asymptotes
VERTICAL ASYMPTOTES

There will be a vertical asymptote at any “illegal” x value, so

anywhere that would make the denominator = 0

So there are vertical

x + 2x + 5
2
R( x ) = 2
asymptotes at x = 4 and x = -1.

(xx− 4−)(3xx+−1)4= 0
Let’s set the bottom = 0 and
factor and solve to find where
the vertical asymptote(s) should
be.
 HORIZONTAL ASYMPTOTES
We compare the degrees of the polynomial in the numerator and the
polynomial in the denominator to tell us about horizontal asymptotes.

1<2
degree of top = 1
If the degree of the numerator is less than
1 the degree of the denominator, (remember
the x axis
2x + 5
R( x ) = 2
degree
is a horizontal
is the highest
asymptote.
powerThis
on any
is along
x term)
the xline
axisy =is0.a horizontal asymptote.
x − 3x + 4

degree of bottom = 2
 HORIZONTAL ASYMPTOTES
The leading coefficient is the
number in front of the highest
powered x term.
degree of top = 2
If the degree of the numerator is equal to the
degree of the denominator, then there is a
horizontal asymptote at:
y = leading coefficient of top
leading coefficient of bottom

2x + 4x + 5
2
R( x ) = 2
1 x − 3x + 4

degree of bottom = 2

horizontal asymptote at:

2
y = =2
1
 SLANT ASYMPTOTES
If the degree of the numerator is greater
than the degree of the denominator, then
there is not a horizontal asymptote, but an
oblique one. The equation is found by
degree of top = 3 doing long division and the quotient is the
equation of the oblique asymptote ignoring
the remainder.
x + 2 x − 3x + 5
3 2
R( x ) =
x − 3x + 4
2

degree of bottom = 2

x + 5 + a remainder
x - 3x + 4
2
x 3
+ 2 x 2
− 3x + 5 Oblique asymptote at y = x
+5
 f (x ) = 2
The graph of
1
looks like this: x
 Q(x ) = 3 + = + 3
Graph
1 1 vertical translation,
x x moved up 3

This is just the reciprocal function transformed. We can trade the terms
places to make it easier to see this.

The vertical asymptote remains the

same because in either function, x ≠ 0
Q(x ) = 3 +
1
x

The horizontal asymptote will move up

3 like the graph does.
f (x ) =
1
x
Strategy for Graphing a Rational Function

1. Graph your asymptotes

2. Plot points to the left and right of each
asymptote to see the curve
Sketch the graph of

2x - 3
f ( x) =
5 x + 10
 2x - 3
f ( x) =
5 x + 10
• The vertical asymptote is x = -2

• The horizontal asymptote is y = 2/5

 2x - 3
f ( x) =
5 x + 10
10
8
6
4
2

-10 -8 -6 -4 -2 2 4 6 8 10
-2
-4
-6
-8
-10
 Sketch the
graph of:
1
g(x) =
x -1
Vertical asymptotes at??

x=1

Horizontal asymptote at??

y=0
 Sketch the
graph of:
2
f (x) =
x
Vertical asymptotes at??

x=0

Horizontal asymptote at??

y=0
 Sketch the
graph of:
-4
h(x) =
x
Vertical asymptotes at??

x=0

Horizontal asymptote at??

y=0
 Sketch the Vertical asymptotes at?? x=1

graph of: Horizontal asymptote at?? y=0

1
y= -2
x+3
Hopefully you remember,
y = 1/x graph and it’s asymptotes:

Vertical asymptote: x = 0
Horizontal asymptote: y = 0
 Or…
We have the function:
1
y= -2
x+3

But what if we simplified this and combined like terms:

1 2(x + 3)
y= - Now looking at this:
x+3 x+3 Vertical Asymptotes??

x = -3
1 - 2x - 6
y=
x+3 Horizontal asymptotes??

y = -2
-2x - 5
y=
x+3
Sketch the
graph of:
x + 3x
2
h(x) =
x
x(x + 3)
h(x) =
x

Hole at??

x=0
Find the asymptotes of each
function:
x 2 3x 4 Vertical Asymptote:
y= + -
x + 3x - 4
2 x x x
x=0
y= 4
x y = x +3-
x
Slant Asymptote:

y=x+3

x + 3x - 28
2 Hole at x = 4
y= 3
x -11x 2 + 28x Vertical Asymptote:

x = 0 and x = 7
(x + 7)(x - 4)
y=
x(x - 7)(x - 4) Horizontal Asymptote:

y=0