Problem

Student Name : Student Date: 04/22/2024 8:56 PM

Marcofragoso0
Login Name : SMARCOFRAGOSO0 Class Name : PreCalculus and
Problem Solving

Polynomial and Rational Functions

Finding horizontal and vertical asymptotes of a rational function:

Quadratic numerator or denominator

SAMPLE QUESTION

Graph all vertical and horizontal asymptotes of the rational function.

3x + 2
f x = 2
x −1

EXPLANATION

Vertical asymptotes:

We first factor the numerator and the denominator (if possible) and see if the rational function is in simplest form.

3x + 2
f x = 2
x −1
3x + 2
=
x−1 x+1

We see that the rational function is in simplest form.

A rational function in simplest form has vertical asymptotes at the zeros of the denominator.
The denominator has zeros at x = 1 and x = − 1. So, the lines x = 1 and x = − 1 are vertical asymptotes.
Horizontal asymptotes:

A rational function can have at most one horizontal asymptote.

To find the horizontal asymptote (if any), we compare the degree n of the numerator with the degree m of the
denominator.

If n < m, the horizontal asymptote is y = 0.

leading coefficient of the numerator
If n = m, the horizontal asymptote is given by y = .
leading coefficient of the denominator
 If n > m, there is no horizontal asymptote.

3x + 2
For f x = , the numerator has degree 1 and the denominator has degree 2.
2
x −1
So, the degree of the numerator is less than the degree of the denominator.
This means that the horizontal asymptote is y = 0.

To get our answer, we graph the vertical asymptotes x = 1 and x = − 1. We also graph the horizontal asymptote
y = 0.
y
5

1
x

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5
-1

-2

-3

-4

-5

ANSWER