Rational Function:
Examples, Solving for the Parts, and Graphing
Examples of Fractions that can be Considered as Rational Function:
Examples of Fractions that CAN’T be Considered as Rational Function:
Parts of a Rational Function:
Vertical and Horizontal Asymptotes, Zero/Zeroes, X- and Y-intercept/s
For the function g(x), the:
• The vertical asymptote is x=-3.
• It follows that the domain of g(x) is all values of x except -3.
• There is no horizontal asymptote since n>m, but the oblique asymptote is y=x-7.
• The x-intercepts are 5 and -1. These, when written as coordinates, are (5,0) and (-1,0).
• It follows that the zeroes are 5 and -1.
• The y-intercept is -5/3. This, when written as a coordinate, is (0, -5/3).
y-axis
Right side of the graph of g(x)
y-axis
(-1,0) (5,0)
x-axis
x=-3
(0,-1.67) (-1,0) (5,0)
x-axis
(0,-1.67)
x=-3
y=x-7
y=x-7
Legend:
Black= x and y-intercepts
Blue= Oblique Asymptote
Red= Vertical Asymptote
Green= graph of the
function
Left side of the graph of g(x)
When Zoomed Out
When Zoomed in
For the function m(x), the:
• The vertical asymptote is x=2
• It follows that the domain of m(x) is all values of x except 2.
• The horizontal asymptote since n<m, is y=0.
• There is no x-intercept since 0≠1. It follows that this function has no zero.
• The y-intercept is -1/2. This, when written as a coordinate, is (0, -1/2).
y-axis
y-axis
Right side of the graph of m(x) Right side of the graph of m(x)
x-axis
y=0
x-axis (0,-0.5) x=2
Left side of the graph of m(x)
y=0
x=2 (x-axis)
(0,-0.5)
Left side of the graph of m(x)
Legend:
Black= x and y-intercepts
Blue= Oblique Asymptote
Red= Vertical Asymptote
Green= graph of the function
When Zoomed in
When Zoomed Out
For the function h(x), the:
• The vertical asymptote is x=0.
• It follows that the domain of m(x) is all values of x except 0.
• The horizontal asymptote since n=m, is y=1.
• The x-intercept is 3/2. This, when written as a coordinate, is (3/2, 0).
• It follows that this function has a zero of 3/2.
• There is no y-intercept since -3/0 is undefined.
y-axis
y-axis
Left side of the graph of h(x)
Left side of the graph of h(x)
y=1
x=0 y=1
(y-axis)
x-axis
x-axis x=0 (1.5,0)
(1.5,0) Right side of the graph of h(x)
Right side of the graph of h(x)
Legend:
Black= x and y-intercepts
Blue= Oblique Asymptote
Red= Vertical Asymptote
When Zoomed Out
Green= graph of the function
When Zoomed in
