Mary Ward C.S.S.

Mathematics Department

MHF 4U1 Advanced Functions

Unit 10

RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

Rational Functions Donut Holes Asymptotes Inverse Proportionality: y = a x

Continuity of a Function. How to Distinguish Vertical Asymptotes From Donut Holes a x + b1 y= 1 Linear Rational Function: a 2 x + b2 a Linear Rational Function as Transformation of y = x The End Behaviour of a Rational Function Curve Sketching

February, 2011

MHF 4U Unit 10: RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
EXPECTATIONS: By the end of this unit, students will: determine, from the equation of a rational function, the intercepts and the positions of the vertical and the horizontal or oblique asymptotes to the graph of the function; determine, through investigation with and without technology, key features of the graphs of rational functions that are the reciprocals of linear and quadratic functions and make connections between the algebraic and graphical representations of these rational functions; determine, through investigation with and without technology, key features of the graphs of rational functions that have linear expressions in the numerator and denominator, and make connections between the algebraic and graphical representations of these rational functions; sketch the graph of a simple rational function using the key features, given the algebraic representation of the function.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: a graphing calculator is mandatory for this unit. TEXT REFERENCE: Use this learning guide and Advanced Functions textbook, study the examples Chapter 5 Section 5.1, 5.2, 5.3. Upon the unit completion it is strongly recommended to do the Chapter 5 Self-Test corresponding questions. ASSESSMENT / EVALUATION
ACTIVITY # NAME OF ACTIVITY KICA CATEGOR Y DESCRIPTION (QUIZ, TEST, INVESTIGATION, PROBLEM) TIME

A B C D E

Rational and Reciprocal Functions Exploring Quotients of Polynomial Functions Graphs of Rational Functions The End Behavior of a Rational Function Summative

K/C T/C K/C T/C A/C

Problems Problems Problems Problems Seminar Quiz and Unit 10 Test

1h 1h 0.5h 0.5h 2h

Total Estimated Time: 5 h

MHF 4U Unit 10: RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
Rational function is formed when a polynomial is divided by a polynomial. This is a function of the form f ( x) = P( x ) , Q( x )

where P( x ) and Q( x ) are both polynomials and Q( x ) is not zero. The graph of a rational function may have donut holes or asymptotes or both depending on the denominator.

Donut Holes
Example 1 Consider the function f ( x) = 2x x

Obviously, f is defined for all real numbers except x = 0 . We cannot divide by zero. When x=0, the function is undefined: f ( 0 ) = For all other values of x we can cancel x in the numerator and denominator. This will simplify the function to f ( x) = 2 for x 0 0 . 0

This would be the equation of the straight line y = 2 with a hole at x = 0. The point (0, 2) does not exist, but leaves a donut hole on the line. The domain is { x x 0 , x R} . The range is { y y = 2 } .

MHF 4U Unit 10: RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

Example 2 Consider the function f ( x) = x2 4 . x2

This function is defined for all real numbers except 2. To understand the behaviour of a rational function it is useful to factor the polynomials (if possible). The polynomials in the numerator and the denominator of the above function would factor like this: f ( x) =

( x 2)( x + 2) ( x 2) .

For any x 2 we can cancel the common factor, getting f ( x) = x + 2 for x 2 .

The graph of f ( x ) is that of the straight line y = x + 2 with one point removed, namely the point (2, 4). At this point there is a donut hole. The domain is { x x 2 , x R} . The range is { y y 4 , y R} .

Asymptotes
An asymptote of a function is a line to which the graph of the function approaches such that it never crosses or touches this line. An assymptote parallel to the x-axis is called a horozontal asymptotes. Aa assymptote parallel to the y-axis is a vertical asymptotes. If an asymptote is not parallel to x- or y-axis, it is called an oblique asymptote or, sinonimously, a slant asymptote.

MHF 4U Unit 10: RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

5 y= a x

Inverse proportionality:

Let us start with the simplest rational function f ( x) = 1 , x

The function is the reciprocal of the function y = x . As x approaches 1 zero, approaches positive or negative infinity, as it is shown in the x figure on the right. As x approaches positive or negative 1 infinity, approaches zero. x The graph is a hyperbola with the coordinate axes as the asymptotes: Horizontal Asymptote: the x-axis (y=0). Vertical Asymptote: the y-axis (x=0). a 1 is obtained from the graph of y = by stretching or x x compressing it vertically and reflecting it in the x-axis in the case where a is negative. The graph of y = The two graphs below illustrate these transformations.

RECIPROCAL OF A QUADRATIC FUNCTION

MHF 4U Unit 10: RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

Example 3 Graph the function f ( x) = Solution: 1. Factor the denominator of f and represent the function in factored form: x 2 8 x + 12 = ( x 2 )( x 6) Then f ( x) = 1 . x 8 x + 12
2

( x 2)( x 6) ( 6 , )

2. domain f: x ( , 2 ) ( 2 , 6 )

3. The sign of the function is the same as the sign of the polynomial in the denominator. Graph the function y = x 2 8 x + 12 . f ( x ) is positive on ( , 2 ) and ( 6 , ) f ( x ) is negative on ( 2 , 6 )
y
10

y=x 2-8x+12
7 4

4. f ( x ) has vertical asymptotes at x = 2 and x = 6

-2

1 -2 -5 0 2 4 6 8 10

5. To find the x-intercept, set y equal to zero: 1 =0. 2 x 8 x + 12

10 7

Since the numerator of f is not zero, y cannot be zero. Therefore there 4 is no y-intercept. To find the y-intercept, set x equal to zero.
y

f ( 0) =

( 0 2)( 0 6)

1 12

y-intercept:
-2 -2 -5

1 0, 12 4

10

MHF 4U Unit 10: RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

6. The quadratic trinomial in the denominator has a minimum value ymin= -4 at x=4 . This corresponds to the local maximum: 1 local maximum: f ( 4) = . 4 7. As x approaches positive or negative infinity, f ( x ) approaches zero. Horizontal asymptote: y=0 (the x-axis).

8. The function is neither even nor odd. The graph is not symmetric about the y-axis or about the origin. Here is how the function looks on the graph. Assignment A: RATIONAL AND RECIPROCAL FUNCTIONS

pg. 255 # 5 a), d), f), g), pg. 256 # 6, 8 b), c), f), pg. 257 # 12, 15

Continuity of a Function How to Distinguish Vertical Asymptotes from Donut Holes

The formal definition of continuity is based on the notion of limit. It will be given later in the course. An intuitive definition is as follows. A function whose graph can be drawn without lifting the pencil from the paper is a continuous function. Otherwise the function is discontinuous.

Functions whose graph has vertical asymptotes and/or donut holes are discontinuous.

MHF 4U Unit 10: RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

Both vertical asymptotes and donut holes correspond to the zeroes of P( x ) the denominator of a rational function f ( x ) = . They occur at the Q( x ) points where Q( x ) = 0 . These points are called the singularities of the rational function. Recall that if Q( a ) = 0 , then ( x a ) is a factor of Q( x ) . (The Factor Theorem) In the most general case, ( x a ) may be a multiple factor of both P( x ) and Q( x ) , like in

( x a ) n P1 ( x) f ( x) = , ( x a ) m Q1 ( x)

where P1 ( x ) and Q1 ( x ) are polynomials. Then, if n m , there will be a donut hole in the graph at x = a . If n < m , then there will be an asymptote at x = a . For example, the graph of the function
3 ( x ) = ( x 1) ( x2 3) f ( x 1)

is the same as the graph of the function y = ( x 1)( x 3) with a donut hole at x = 1 . On the other hand, the function g ( x) = is identical to the function y= for x 1 .

( x 5) 2 ( x + 1) ( x 5) 4 ( x 5) 2
x +1

and its graph has a vertical asymptote at x = 5 . And, finally, not any rational function is discontinuous. Some of them are continuous. For example, the denominator of the rational function

MHF 4U Unit 10: RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

9 x 1 x + x2 +1
4

f ( x) =

is always positive. Therefore the function is continuous. It is defined for any x and its graph does not have any vertical asymptotes or donut holes.

Assignment B: EXPLORING QUOTIENTS OF POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS pg. 262 # 2 a), c), d), j), h), 3

LINEAR RATIONAL FUNCTION

y=

a1 x + b1 a 2 x + b2

This function is defined for any x except x = What happens at x =

b2 . a2

b2 , depends on a1 , a 2 , b1 , and b2 . a2

If a1 = a 2 and b1 = b2 , then the function is simplified to b2 y = 1, for x . a2 In this case, the graph is the graph of the line y = 1 with a donut hole at b2 x= . If the polynomials in the numerator and denominator are a2 b2 different, the function will have a vertical asymptote at x = . a2 Now we shall concentrate on the horizontal asymptotes. To find the horizontal asymptotes, consider the end behaviour of the function. The end behaviourb1 a1 x + describes how the function In the function y =approaches positive and negativeb1 is a1 x ; the behaves as x a x + b , the leading term of a1 x + 2 2 infinity. a 2 x + b2 is a 2 x . As x approaches positive or leading term of negative infinity ( x ) , the function starts acting like

MHF 4U Unit 10: RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

10 a1 x a1 = . a2 x a2

y=

Thus, as x or x , y will approach the horizontal line a y = 1 . By definition, this line is a horizontal asymptote. a2 Example 4 Consider the function f ( x) =

6x 1 . 2x 5

The function is not defined at x=2.5 where the graph has a vertical asymptote. Vertical Asymptote: x = 2.5 Consider the end behaviour of f . The leading term of 6x-1 is 6x; the leading term of 2x-5 is 2x. As x or x , these terms becomes dominant and the function will behave like y= 6x , 2x or, equivalently, y = 3.

Then the left and the right edges of the graph will approach the horizontal asymptote y = 3 . Horizontal Asymptote: y = 3 To sketch the graph of a function, it is useful to find its x- and y-intercepts and the intervals on which the function is positive or negative.

To find the x-intercepts, set y = 0: 6x 1 = 0, 2x 5 1 Thus the x-intercept is , 0 . 6 6x 1 = 0 , x= 1 . 6

To find the y-intercepts, set x = 0:

MHF 4U Unit 10: RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

11 6(0) 1 1 = 2(0) 5 5

y= 1 . Thus the y-intercept is 0 , 5

1 ; the denominator, 2 x 5 , 6 changes sign at x = 2.5 . These values divide the x-axis into three intervals: The numerator, 6 x 1 , changes sign at x = 1 , , 6 1 ,2.5 , and ( 2.5, ) . 6

For x > 2.5 the function is positive. Then it changes sign at x= 2.5 and 1 , as 6 shown in the diagram above. 1 One can see that f ( x ) is positive for x , ( 2.5, ) and negative 6 1 for x ,2.5 . 6 Now we are ready to sketch the graph. To do this, realize the following: the function has a horizontal asymptote y = 3 ; it has a vertical asymptote x = 2.5 ; 1 the function crosses the x-axis at , 0 ; 6 1 ; the function crosses the y-axis at 0 , 5 1 the function is positive for x , ( 2.5, ) and negative for 6 1 x ,2.5 . 6

MHF 4U Unit 10: RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

12

We mark the intercepts and draw the asymptotes. An asymptote is not a part of the graph. Draw asymptotes as dashed lines. Here is the graph of the function.

Linear Rational Function as Transformation of y =

6x 1 a looks like the graph of y = translated 2x 5 x horizontally and vertically. The graph of f ( x ) = To see that this is so, consider the function f ( x ) = 6x 1 . 2x 5

a x

Divide the polynomial in the numerator by the polynomial in the denominator. 3 6x 1 2x 5 6 x 15 14 Write this as a division statement 6x 1 14 = 3+ 2x 5 2x 5

MHF 4U Unit 10: RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

13

Dividing the numerator and denominator by 2, we get

6x - 1 7 = 3+ 2x - 5 x 2.5 Thus f ( x) = can be written as f ( x) = 6x 1 2x 5

7 + 3. x 2.5 7 translated x

Observe that the graph of this function is the graph of y = 2.5 units to the right and 3 units up. In general, the graph of any linear rational function y = obtained by translating the graph of y = a . x

a1 x + b1 can be a 2 x + b2

The End Behaviour of a Rational Function

Consider a rational function a n x n + a n 1 x n 1 + + a 0 f ( x) = . bm x m + bm1 x m1 + + b0
n n 1 n The leading term of a n x + a n 1 x + + a 0 is a n x . m m 1 m The leading term of bm x + bm 1 x + + b0 is bm x .

As x takes on large positive or large negative values ( x ) , the function will behave like y= an x n . bm xm

Depending on n and m , we have the following end behaviour.

MHF 4U Unit 10: RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

14

an , where bm x m n m n 1 . As x , y 0 . The graph has the x-axis as a horizontal linear asymptote. If m > n , and x , the function behaves like y =

an If m = n and x , then y will approach a constant value of m . b n a The graph of the function has a horizontal linear asymptote y = m . b When n > m and x , the function will behave like y = where n m 1 . The graph of the function goes to infinity or negative infinity. If the degree of the numerator is one more than the degree of the denominator ( n m = 1 ), then the graph of the rational function will have an oblique asymptote. a n x nm , bm

Example 5 (Optional). Find an equation of the linear oblique asymptote to the curve y= 2 x 2 5x 3 . x2

Solution: Note the degree of the numerator is 1 more than the degree of the denominator.

Divide the numerator by the denominator.

x2

2x 1 2 x 5x 3
2

2x 2 4x x3 x+2 5 Write the result as a division statement

MHF 4U Unit 10: RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

15 2x 2 5x 3 x2 5 x2

y=

= 2x 1

5 x2 approaches zero. Then the curve approaches the line y = 2 x 1 , which is a linear oblique asymptote. If x approaches infinity or negative infinity, the value of

The graph shows the curve and the oblique asymptote. Also we would expect to see a vertical asymptote at x=2, resulting from setting the denominator equal to 0.

Example 6 Graph the function f ( x) = x 2 + x 20 x 2 3 x 18

Solution: 1. Represent the function in factored form: f ( x) =

( x + 5)( x 4) ( x + 3)( x 6)

2. domain f: x ( ,3) ( 3,6 ) ( 6, ) . 3. The function change sign at x = -5, -3, 4 and 6. For x>6, f(x) is positive. This leads to the following diagram for the sign of f.

MHF 4U Unit 10: RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

16

4. Vertical asymptotes at x= -3 and x = 6 5. x-intercepts: (-5, 0) and (4, 0); 6. y-intercept: (0, 10 ) 9

Looking at the equation it is not clear whether the function has any local maxima or minima. 7. As x , the function acts like y = x2 and its graph x2

approaches the line y= 1. Horizontal asymptote: y = 1. Here is how the function looks on the graph.

Curve Sketching
Here is a check-list of the things to consider when you make a sketch of the graph y = f ( x ) . 1. Factor the numerator and denominator (into linear factors if possible). Simplify. 2. Find the domain of f ( x ) . 3. Determine where the function is negative and where positive. 4. Find the points of discontinuity and their types vertical asymptotes or donut holes.

MHF 4U Unit 10: RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

17

5. Find the x- and y-intercepts. 6. Find the local maxima and local minima of the function. (Later you will learn how to do this. For now use your graphing calculator.) 7. Determine the end behaviour of the function and see whether the function has any horizontal or oblique asymptotes. 8. Examine the symmetry of the curve with respect to the yaxis and with respect to the origin, i.e. whether the function is even or odd.

Assignment C: GRAPHS OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS pg. 272 # 1, 2 pg. 273 # 5 pg. 274 # 9, 14