Today in Pre-Calculus

• Go over homework
• Notes: (NO calculators)
– Graphs of rational functions (no handout)
• Homework
 Graphs of Rational Functions
•The line x = a is a vertical asymptote of the graph f(x) if
as x ®a from the left or right f (x)® ¥ or - ¥
•The line y = b is a horizontal asymptote of the graph of f(x) if,
lim f (x) = b
x®±¥


vertical asymptote at x = 0


         
horizontal asymptote at y = 0







 Graphical Features of Rational Functions
Vertical Asymptotes: occur at the zeros of the denominator
provided they are not also zeros of the numerator of equal
or greater multiplicity.
Horizontal Asymptotes: look at degree of numerator
degree of denominator
If:
small
horizontal asymptote: y=0
large
same horizontal asymptote: y=ratio of leading
same coefficients
large
no horizontal asymptote
small
 Graphical Features of Rational Functions
Slant (or Oblique) Asymptotes: occur if the degree of
numerator is exactly one more than the degree of
denominator. Use polynomial long division, the quotient is
the equation for the slant asymptote.
Note: Graphs NEVER intersect their vertical asymptotes but
they can intersect slant and horizontal asymptotes.















                                


















 Graphical Features of Rational Functions

X-intercepts: Occur when f(x) equals 0 (basically when the

numerator equals 0, provided this is not also a zero of the
denominator).
Y-intercepts: Occur at f(0), if defined.
 Example 1
List the asymptotes and intercepts for the following graph.
4
f ( x)  2
x 1
Vertical asymptote: none
small
Horizontal asymptote: y=0 large
Slant asymptote: none
x-intercept: none 

y-intercept: (0,4) 

           


 Example 2
List the asymptotes and intercepts for the following graph.
x x
2
f ( x) 
x 1


Vertical asymptote: x = –1 

large 

Horizontal asymptote: none small



Slant asymptote: y = x – 2        


      

x-intercept: (0,0),(1,0) 



y-intercept: (0,0) 










 Example 3
List the asymptotes and intercepts for the following graph.
3x 2
f (x) = 2
x -4

Vertical asymptote: x = –2 , 2
Horizontal asymptote: y=3 same
same
Slant asymptote: none
x-intercept: (0,0)
y-intercept: (0,0)
 Homework
• Pg. 245: 23-29 odd
• Chapter 2 test: Friday, December 4
• Bring textbooks tomorrow.